Wood Floor Maintenance: How to Clean and Care for Hardwood Floors

These recommendations apply to surface-finished wood floors, which covers almost every floor with a polyurethane, water-based, oil-based or Swedish finish. They don't apply to waxed floors. They work for new floors and for floors that were finished years ago, and for solid and engineered hardwood alike.

We're Vision Flooring in Everett, WA. This is the same care guidance we give every customer when we finish a floor.

How do you clean hardwood floors the right way?

Remove grit first, then damp-mop lightly with a cleaner made for finished wood floors. Grit and dirt act like sandpaper underfoot. They create micro-scratches that dull the finish and wear it down, so frequent dry cleaning matters more than anything else.

• Dry first: a microfiber dust mop, or a vacuum on the hard-floor setting (no beater bar).
• Then damp-mop: use a spray mop or a well-wrung microfiber pad that puts down only a little cleaner, and remove any excess right away.
• Work with the grain of the boards.

Which cleaner do we recommend? Bona Floor Cleaner. Make sure you get the floor cleaner, not the Bona floor polish. We also sell the microfiber mops we recommend.

Can you mop hardwood floors with water?

Only lightly damp, never wet. Standing water seeps into the seams between boards and can cause swelling, cupping and dark stains. Use a cleaner made for finished wood floors and a mop that puts down a fine mist, not a bucket and string mop.

Can I use a steam mop on my floors?

Yes, as long as it doesn't leave a puddle of water behind. Steam mops usually don't get hot enough to ruin a floor. Follow all of the steam mop's and your flooring manufacturer's guidelines, because improper use can cause melting or damage to floors.

How do I protect hardwood floors from scratches and dents?

• Felt pads or glides under every furniture leg. Replace them when they wear thin or pick up grit.
• Lift furniture; never drag it. We can help move heavy pieces for an additional cost.
• Doormats with waterproof backing at every entry. It's better for water to stain a mat than your floor.
• Area rugs in high-traffic paths, with pads made for wood floors.
• Keep pets' nails trimmed.
• Watch out for damaged high heels and rolling chairs. Use a chair mat at desks.

Is it normal to see small marks in a new finish?

Yes, and most of them are temporary. Every new finish can leave a few minor imperfections that fade as the finish cures and matures. Contractors and manufacturers see these small quirks all the time, but they can be startling the first time you see your floor. Here is what you may notice, and how long to give it before you should be concerned.

How should I inspect a newly finished floor?

Look at it from a standing position with normal lighting. Glare, especially from large windows, magnifies any irregularity and shouldn't decide whether the floor is acceptable. Small irregularities like the ones above may be present, but they should not be prominent from a standing position. This is the standard set out by the National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA) in its hardwood floor manual.

If they are still obvious after the time frames above, call us at 425-218-4234.

What should I do about spills and pet accidents?

Clean them up right away, every time. Food spills, especially meat, eggs and milk, can break down the finish if they sit. Pet urine is worse. Its acids can etch the finish and stain the wood underneath, sometimes so deeply that the boards have to be replaced to get rid of the dark marks.

What humidity is best for hardwood floors?

Steady and moderate. Wood takes on moisture and gives it back, so big swings cause gaps in dry weather and cupping in damp weather. Follow your flooring manufacturer's recommended range, and keep it at or below about 50%, which Mayo Clinic also recommends to limit dust mites and mold. A humidifier in dry months and good ventilation in damp ones keep things balanced.

How often should hardwood floors be recoated?

About every 5–7 years, depending on traffic, pets and care. We buff the floor with a fine screen to remove small scratches and dirt, vacuum it, and apply a fresh coat of finish. The floor looks new again for about $2 per sq ft, a fraction of the cost of a full sanding. It's also easy to schedule while you're away on a trip. Not sure whether your floor needs a recoat or a full refinish? See refinish, recoat or just clean? Recoating is for floors that were finished on site; prefinished hardwood usually can't be recoated (see below).

How do I care for prefinished hardwood, LVP and laminate?

Mostly the same way, but there's no waiting and no recoating. These floors come finished from the factory, so furniture and area rugs can go back right away. Put felt pads under the feet of all your furniture, on every type of floor: they keep it lasting longer and looking new. Always follow your flooring manufacturer's care guidelines too.

More about these floors: hardwood installation, LVP and LVT and laminate.

Free printable care sheets

The basics on one page, to print and keep (PDF, letter size). For floors refinished or finished on site:

• After your refinish: the first weeks: furniture, rugs, curing, and the small marks that fade.
• Hardwood floor care: the basics: cleaning, what never to use, and recoating.

For new factory-finished floors:

• Prefinished hardwood care: the basics: solid and engineered hardwood.
• LVP and laminate care: the basics: LVP, LVT and laminate.

Want everything else: protecting the floor, fixing damage, seasons and humidity, and when to recoat? The full versions are The Hardwood Floor Owner’s Manual and The LVP & Laminate Owner’s Manual. Had your floors done by us? Ask for your free copy.