Wood Floor Clean & Maintenance ?

[HTSS_TR]

We will move to a house about 6-7 miles away in 2 weeks, this house has wood floor on the first floor and carpet on second floor.

The wood floor is a little old, probably 10-20 years old, with some scratches and fading.

Basically I need to clean/repair light scratches (if there is such a thing) and maintenance schedule.

I have NO experience with wood floor, what advices you can give will be greatly appreciated.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Depending on how long ago it was done, the floor may need a good polish/reseal. Most companies that specialize in wood flooring can typically come out and perform this service for you. It's best to do it while the house is still empty (no furniture).

Afterwards, just for basic floor cleaning, I've been happy with Bona products...

https://www.mybonahome.com/products.html

 

[HTSS_TR]

Thanks Pete.

I need more little details about actual products I should have to do basic cleaning/maintenance.

From the link you provided I need the following ?

Hardwood Floor Mop
Hardwood Floor Cleaners
Hardwood Floor Polish (Low or High Gloss)

Or just get this: Bona® Ultimate Hardwood Floor Care System ? It seems to have everything I need.

What do you think ?

 

[Quattro Pete]

I've only been using the spray mop (with multiple microfiber pads if you have large area to cover) and the hardwood floor cleaner liquid - they come in 1 gal jugs. You should be able to find this stuff at your local Ace Hardware or even Walmart.

 

[SteveSRT8]

We just finished cleaning and polishing 2000 square feet of beautiful red oak flooring.

Test your cleaner by wiping it on a piece of clear glass or reducing it in a bowl. Many leave so much residue that it eventually "uglies up" the floor so bad you may need a pro to clean it for you.

It's very easy to clean and micro scratch the surface and apply a couple coats of waterborne finish and walk on it the same day, but if the scratches and damage are extensive you'll need to sand it first.

 

[HTSS_TR]

Thanks Steve.

First, I am not capable of such thing as sanding the hardwood floor. If the scratches and damage are extensive then I need the pros to repair/improve the floor.

"Test your cleaner by wiping it on a piece of clear glass or reducing it in a bowl. Many leave so much residue"

How do I know how much or how little residue I should see on a test glass of a good cleaner ?

Remember that I have ZERO knowledge about hardwood floor cleaner, the only product I ever used was Pledge to clean the dining table and coffee table. I know it's difficult to convey your idea/advice to someone who knows nothing about the subject.

 

[SteveSRT8]

NP, Just trying to help. We do a tremendous amount of wood floor work in nicer homes, so we see the problems with these floors a lot.

Many times all we do is remove all the cleaning residues and the floor looks much better. By carefully testing cleaners we were able to find one that really cleans without residue buildup and also without harming the existing finish.

The best cleaners use a deodorized acetic acid (vinegar) base and leave virtually nothing on the floor. This is extremely important to the person who likes to clean their floor often.

Many consumer cleaning products are petroleum based garbage that will leave a coating that shines or just a thin layer of goo on the surface. This eventually builds up to a point where you may need professional cleaning.

Feel free to PM me anytime for more boring info!

 

[rjundi]

Our cleaners I believe use water with I think a vingear and the floors look great. I'd ask if anything added but they only speak Portuguese

These are 100 year old maple floors that were refinished before move in in 2007.

 

[HTSS_TR]

Thanks Steve,

Do you have the name of products have "deodorized acetic acid (vinegar) base" ?

I don't need the floor to look perfect, just clean looking and keep it from further damage.

What do you think about this "Bona Ultimate Hardwood Floor Care System" ? I probably do the cleaning once or twice a year on top of normal sweeping once or twice a week.
https://www.mybonahome.com/products/ultimate-hardwood-floor-care-system.html

 

[SteveSRT8]

There certainly is nothing wrong with Bona, it's an old and well respected name in wood floors. But I must share that in my own home on my maple floor their finish was terribly soft and scratched so easily I would NEVER use it again.

But their cleaning stuff should be fine.

We use this product: Hydro-Force Wood Fresh Hardwood Cleaner. It can be tricky to find, but it is beautifully effective and safe to use.

 

[HTSS_TR]

Thanks Guys,

I bought these 2 items from Amazon.com: Bona Pro Series WM710013367 18-Inch Hardwood Floor Care System and Bona Pro Series Hardwood Floor Cleaner Refill, 1-Gallon.

Hydro-Force Wood Fresh Hardwood Cleaner is hard to find. I'll try Bona for few months and if not satisfy I'll looking for it.

 

[dave123]

Originally Posted By: SteveSRT8
There certainly is nothing wrong with Bona, it's an old and well respected name in wood floors. But I must share that in my own home on my maple floor their finish was terribly soft and scratched so easily I would NEVER use it again.

But their cleaning stuff should be fine.

We use this product: Hydro-Force Wood Fresh Hardwood Cleaner. It can be tricky to find, but it is beautifully effective and safe to use.


What coating was used our wood floors were finishe with Bona Trafic HD
with Polyisocyanate hardner an outstanding finish in my book.

 

[HTSS_TR]

What are the shiny rating of these: Matte, Extra Matte, Satin, Semi-Gloss and Gloss ? If I don't like shiny floor which one should I use for finishing ?

Please understand that I have ZERO knowledge about wood floor, I try to learn as much as I can so that I will be able to clean and maintain as best I can. My question(s) is so trivial it may border strolling but I'm not.

 

[SteveSRT8]

Dull finishes do not show damage as quickly, shiny glossy wet look usually shows more damage sooner.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: HTSS_TR
What are the shiny rating of these: Matte, Extra Matte, Satin, Semi-Gloss and Gloss ? If I don't like shiny floor which one should I use for finishing ?

The opposite of shiny would be matte or extra matte.

 

[HTSS_TR]

I think I may need to go to either Home Depot or Lowes to have a look at the demos of different finishes, if they have it on real wood. Right now I have no idea how each finish looks like on real piece of wood.