Wood Floor Maintenance

Cleaning
Wipe up food and other spills immediately using a dampened (not soaking wet) rag or paper towel. Regular cleaning should be done with mild wood floor cleaner which is specially formulated to clean your new finished floor.

No Waxing
Finished floors should never be waxed. Do not use oils or waxes, or cleaners that have these properties. If wax or other treatments are applied, recoating may not be possible.

Recoat
As your floor begins to show wear and does not clean easily with, recoating is recommended. Contact your hardwood flooring professional when recoating becomes necessary.

Know Your Floor
Know what products were used to finish and clean your wood floor. Keep track of the dates (month/year) that the floor was installed, finished, refinished and/or repaired. Remember the company name of your floor installer and finisher. When moving, leave the above information in the home for the next homeowner.

Preventive Maintenance
Preventive Maintenance may be the most important factor in determining the longevity of your wood floor finish.

• Place walk off mats in entry ways and near sink areas to minimize the amount of dirt and water that comes in contact with your floor.
• Check your chair legs and other pieces of furniture and attach felt floor protectors to all furniture that will come in contact with your wood floor.
• Keep high heel shoes in good repair. Heels that have lost their protective cap can cause little indentations in any floor surface, even concrete!
• Keep pet claws trimmed.
• Do not over-water plants. soil, fertilizers, and plant foods may have chemicals in them that could damage your finish.
• Soft rubber (shoe soles, toy wheels, etc.) will leave marks on the floor. Most of these marks can be rubbed out but should be avoided if possible.
• Post Application Tips
• A minimum of 48 hours is recommended before returning to the residence. Providing good ventilation will minimize the odor and help the floor finish cure faster. You can generally walk on the floor after 24 hours. However, you should use your floors with care for the first two weeks after application. The gentler you are on the floor during this time, the more satisfaction you will get from your floors for years to come.

Furniture
Allow two to three days before placing furniture onto the floor. Do not drag or slide the furniture into place. Install felt floor protectors on furniture legs before replacing furniture. Allow two to three weeks before putting carpets or rugs on the floor. If covered prematurely, finishes may discolor.

Cleaning
Do not use water or any cleaning substances on the floor for the first 2 – 3 weeks.