How To Clean Newly Refinished Hardwood Floors?

Last Updated on October 15, 2023 by admin

For hardwood floors that are newly refinished, it’s important to know the right way to clean them. Proper cleaning and maintenance will help keep your newly refinished floor looking beautiful for years to come. You should follow the best practices for cleaning newly refinished hardwood floors.

What Type Of Finish Do You Have?

• Surface Sealed flooring: Vacuum or sweep the floor to remove dirt, dust, and debris. Clean with a damp mop using a mild detergent.

  

• Moisture-Cured Urethane: Vacuum or sweep the floor to remove dirt, dust, and debris. Clean with an approved cleaner or pH-neutral cleaner. Do not use water, soaps, detergents, or ammonia-based cleaners.

  

• Penetrating and oil-treated floors: Vacuum or sweep the floor to remove dirt, dust, and debris. Clean with a dry cloth mop or vacuum cleaner attachments. Use only approved cleaners for maintenance cleaning.

  

How To Clean Newly Refinished Hardwood Floors?

Things needed:

•    Electrostatic Mop

  

•    Vacuum cleaner

  

•    Hardwood floor cleaner

  

Method:

Step 1: Vacuum the hardwood floor to keep dust off: Use a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush head and no beater bar. Vacuum the floor in multiple directions, such as lengthwise and across widths. Then, use an electrostatic mop to clean up further dust the vacuum cleaner may have left behind.

Step 2: Dip mop in hardwood floor cleaner: Take the electrostatic mop and dip it into a mixture of hardwood floor cleaner and water. Make sure to only use a small cleaning solution, as too much can damage newly refinished floors.

Step 3: Damp the mop: Once the mop is dipped in the cleaning solution, make sure to wring it out until it’s damp and not soaking wet.

Step4:Mop the floor: Now you can mop the floor. Start in one corner and move in a serpentine pattern, going back and forth over the same spot until the whole surface is clean. Make sure to overlap each pass by an inch or two so that no part of the floor is missed.

Step 5: Clean the floor in sections: Divide the floor into sections and clean each section individually. This will help you track where you have mopped so that you don’t miss any spots.

Step 6: Let the floor dry: After you’ve finished mopping, let the floor dry completely before walking on it or putting furniture back in the room. This process may take up to an hour, depending on the humidity and temperature of the room.

How To Care For The Newly Refinished Hardwood Floors?

• Install rugs and floor mats: Rugs and mats can help protect your hardwood floors . Place them at doorways to absorb dirt, dust, and moisture that would otherwise get tracked onto the floor.
• Clean regularly: To keep the shine on your newly refinished hardwood floors, clean them regularly with a microfiber mop or towel.
• Vacuum and dust regularly: Vacuum or dust mop your hardwood floors regularly to keep them from getting scratched. Vacuuming also removes dirt and dust that can dull the finish of your floors.
• Protect from moisture: To prevent water damage, always wipe up any spills as quickly as possible and use a damp cloth for larger messes. Never soak the floor with water or other cleaning products.
• Avoid harsh chemicals: Harsh cleaners and abrasive scrubbers can damage the finish of your refinished hardwood floors. When it comes to cleaning, stick with mild soap and warm water.
• Keep an eye on your humidity levels: High humidity can cause your hardwood floors to warp and buckle, so keep an eye on the indoor humidity levels in your home. Use a dehumidifier to reduce the moisture in the air when necessary.
• Use the right cleaning liquids and tools: Use a PH-balanced cleaner specifically designed for hardwood floors. Avoid using steam mops or other harsh cleaning tools that can damage your refinished floor. Use a soft microfiber mop and gentle strokes to clean.
• Reapply finish when necessary: Reapply finish to your hardwood floors every few years to keep them looking their best. A professional hardwood flooring contractor can help you do this correctly.

How To Refinish Hardwood Floors?

• Prep the space: Clear all furniture, rugs, and other items from the floor. Make sure to note the condition of the hardwood before beginning.
• Sweep/ Vacuum: Remove any dirt and debris from the surface with a broom or vacuum cleaner. Lightly damp mop. Use a damp mop to clean the floors.
• Clean:  Mix a floor cleaner according to the label directions and use it on the hardwood floors. Make sure not to over-wet the wood. After cleaning, dry the floor with a clean towel or cloth.
• Sand: Sand down any rough spots using fine-grit sandpaper, making sure to go in the same direction as the wood grain.
• Stain:  Once sanded, apply a stain to your hardwood floors. Make sure to wait 24 hours before applying any additional coats of stain.
• Screen:  After staining, screen the floor with a light abrasive cleaner to remove any excess stain.
• Remove dust: Use a vacuum cleaner to remove any remaining dust and debris from the floor.
• Stain/seal:  Apply a sealer or finish to the floor according to the label directions. Allow the sealer to dry thoroughly before using the space.
• Apply the finish:  Apply a finish or wax to the floor, according to the directions. Allow the finish to dry thoroughly before using the space.

How Often Should You Clean And Vacuum Hardwood Floors?

It is essential to clean and vacuum hardwood floors regularly. To keep your new floor looking its best, it is recommended that you sweep your newly refinished hardwood floors twice a week and mop them with the appropriate cleaning solution at least once per month. Before vacuuming, do a spot test on an inconspicuous area to ensure that the cleaning solution won’t damage the floor.

Tips For Hardwood Floor Cleaning

• Wipe up spills and messes quickly: To prevent staining, cleaning up spills and messes as soon as possible is important. A damp cloth can usually do the trick for most minor accidents.
• Avoid furniture sprays: Avoid furniture sprays or any other product that leaves behind a waxy residue. These can be difficult to remove and can potentially damage the finish of your newly refinished hardwood floors.
• Avoid using alkaline products: Avoid all alkaline-based cleaning solutions. Alkaline products can leave behind a film that dulls the finish of your floors.
• Don’t use a steam mop: Unlike regular mops, steam mops rely on hot water and detergents to clean. Since these can be difficult to control, it’s best to avoid using a steam mop entirely.

FAQs

How To Clean Hardwood Floors Before Polyurethane?

Before you apply a polyurethane coat, it is important to clean the floor thoroughly. This can be done with a vacuum cleaner and with a damp mop. Any excess dirt or dust particles on the floor should also be removed by lightly scrubbing the surface with a soft bristle brush.

How long does it take to clean hardwood floors after refinishing?

After applying the polyurethane coat, it is important to wait at least 24 hours before cleaning the floor. This will allow the polyurethane coat to fully cure and settle into the surface of the hardwood floors.

How to clean a bona traffic floor?

Bona Traffic is a water-based polyurethane product that provides an extra protective layer on hardwood floors. To clean Bona Traffic, use a vacuum cleaner and damp mop with a mild cleaning solution.

How soon can we put rugs on newly refinished hardwood floors?

It is recommended to wait at least two weeks after a polyurethane coat has been applied before placing any rugs or other furniture on the hardwood floors. This will ensure that the polyurethane coat has enough time to cure and protect your hardwood floors properly.

Conclusion

Newly refinished hardwood floors need special care and attention for the first few weeks. It is best to avoid using any harsh chemicals or water on your floors as these can damage the finish. Vacuuming gently with a dust mop should be sufficient for removing dirt and debris until enough time has passed for the finish to harden. If you need to mop, use a damp mop lightly dampened with water, and avoid using too much liquid. Your newly refinished floors will last for years with proper care and maintenance.