Question:
I have hardwood floors in my kitchen. I'm moving out an old refrigerator and moving in a new one. Actually, delivery people are doing this. How do I be sure my flooring is protected?
Answer:
When moving appliance or other heavy items across your hardwood floors, use blankets and pieces of plywood. The plywood protects the floor - the blanket beneath helps the plywood slide easily without leaving scratches or dents behind.
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December 17, 2011
Can I Use Plain Water To Clean My Hardwood Floors?
Question:
My mother uses plain old water and a mop to clean her hardwood floors - adding a bit of vinegar to the water every couple of weeks for a more thorough clean. But I've been told never to use water on my wood floors. Can you clarify?
Answer:
An important reminder: You aren't cleaning the wood boards themselves (unless they are damaged and exposed) ... you are cleaning the finish, the coating on top of the boards meant to protect them. But regardless of this protective coating, no matter how thick and durable it is supposed to be, there is no such thing as a water proof wood floor.
Water and other liquids (such as a professional hardwood floor cleaner) can seep into the gaps between boards, especially as they shrink and expand due to moisture in the air, or because the coating is starting to wear or has been damaged. So it is very important not to use soaking wet cleaning tools or leave standing water on the floor.
In regards to cleaning, water isn't the issue. It's a liquid like anything else you might use. The issue is HOW you apply it to the floor, how wet the floor gets, if any water whatsoever is left behind to impart damage.
Check out "How To Clean Hardwood Floors" for more details.
My mother uses plain old water and a mop to clean her hardwood floors - adding a bit of vinegar to the water every couple of weeks for a more thorough clean. But I've been told never to use water on my wood floors. Can you clarify?
Answer:
An important reminder: You aren't cleaning the wood boards themselves (unless they are damaged and exposed) ... you are cleaning the finish, the coating on top of the boards meant to protect them. But regardless of this protective coating, no matter how thick and durable it is supposed to be, there is no such thing as a water proof wood floor.
Water and other liquids (such as a professional hardwood floor cleaner) can seep into the gaps between boards, especially as they shrink and expand due to moisture in the air, or because the coating is starting to wear or has been damaged. So it is very important not to use soaking wet cleaning tools or leave standing water on the floor.
In regards to cleaning, water isn't the issue. It's a liquid like anything else you might use. The issue is HOW you apply it to the floor, how wet the floor gets, if any water whatsoever is left behind to impart damage.
Check out "How To Clean Hardwood Floors" for more details.
Black Shoe Marks On Hardwood Floors
Question:
My boys got a little wild in the living room after a basketball game and their shoes left black marks all over my hardwood floors. My regular cleaner won't get them out. Any suggestions? Thanks.
Answer:
To clean tough stains such as black shoe marks, crayon, tar or lipstick use a non-abrasive waterless hand cleaner. You can also use a cautionary amount of paint thinner (mineral spirits) or a product such as Goof Off. Be sure to wear a mask when using products such as these to avoid toxic fumes. When you're finished, wipe with a slightly damp cloth to remove any oil residue.
My boys got a little wild in the living room after a basketball game and their shoes left black marks all over my hardwood floors. My regular cleaner won't get them out. Any suggestions? Thanks.
Answer:
To clean tough stains such as black shoe marks, crayon, tar or lipstick use a non-abrasive waterless hand cleaner. You can also use a cautionary amount of paint thinner (mineral spirits) or a product such as Goof Off. Be sure to wear a mask when using products such as these to avoid toxic fumes. When you're finished, wipe with a slightly damp cloth to remove any oil residue.
Christmas Trees On Hardwood Floors
Question:
What's the best way to protect my hardwood flooring when I set up my Christmas Tree?
Answer:
For articifical trees, place a barrier between your hardwood floor and the Christmas tree base - such as a double-folded sheet or an area rug pad. If possible, I would also suggest attaching furniture pads to the bottom of the tree base.
For real trees, you should also provide a water-proof barrier. Plastic table cloths or garbage bags cut to size work very well.
In both cases, you can cover the unsightly barrier of protection with a tree skirt or other decorative material.
What's the best way to protect my hardwood flooring when I set up my Christmas Tree?
Answer:
For articifical trees, place a barrier between your hardwood floor and the Christmas tree base - such as a double-folded sheet or an area rug pad. If possible, I would also suggest attaching furniture pads to the bottom of the tree base.
For real trees, you should also provide a water-proof barrier. Plastic table cloths or garbage bags cut to size work very well.
In both cases, you can cover the unsightly barrier of protection with a tree skirt or other decorative material.
Protect Hardwood Floors From Bed Frames
Question:
I have recently had hardwood floors installed in my condo. I have a heavy king sized bed frame. What do you recommend for protecting the floor from the weight? Furniture leg pads? If so, what brand and store do you recommend? Thanks for your time.
Answer:
My bed frame is the kind on rollers and I use towels to protect the floor. A hand towel folded three or four times so its nice and thick works great. I use a small bungee cord to securely wrap the excess towel to the leg of the frame so if the bed moves or rolls, the towel padding stays in place under the rollers. Sometimes, a little creativity and common household items are far better than a "specialized" product for purchase. Our recommended furniture pads may work as well.
I have recently had hardwood floors installed in my condo. I have a heavy king sized bed frame. What do you recommend for protecting the floor from the weight? Furniture leg pads? If so, what brand and store do you recommend? Thanks for your time.
Answer:
My bed frame is the kind on rollers and I use towels to protect the floor. A hand towel folded three or four times so its nice and thick works great. I use a small bungee cord to securely wrap the excess towel to the leg of the frame so if the bed moves or rolls, the towel padding stays in place under the rollers. Sometimes, a little creativity and common household items are far better than a "specialized" product for purchase. Our recommended furniture pads may work as well.
Floor Looks Streaky - Can See Smudges
Question:
HELP! I have Bellawood light maple floors. I have used everything to clean my floors, including the recommended Bellawood floor product. I have sought advice from everyone I know. My floor looks filmy, streaky and when the sun shines on the floor you see every smudge. I also have tried several kinds of mops and the Hoover cleaner for hardwood floors. It's just getting worse. How can I get all this stuff off my floor and return it to a clean, non-smudged, streaky appearance?
Answer:
It sounds like your floors have been cleaned or otherwise exposed to an Oil-base soap such as Murphy's Oil Soap. Oils, waxes and certain soaps should never be used on a hardwood floor finish. And when they are, even just once, it often leaves a filmy residue that includes smudges, smears, and even footprints, and it is very difficult to remove. Remember that you aren't cleaning the wood boards themselves (unless the finish has worn and they are exposed and damaged). You are cleaning the finish, most likely polyurethane that coats the tops of the wood boards to protect them. I suggest a good scrubbing, maybe several times, with a vinegar and water solution. However, the acidity of the vinegar could remove the finish, exposing the wood boards to irrepairable damage. The goal is to gently remove the build-up of wax or oils.
A word of caution: If there is indeed build-up on your floor, Do NOT have your floor recoated or refinished until that build-up is removed. The new finish will not adhere properly and you'll have all kinds of trouble with it. If you can't remove the build-up, the only solution is to have the floor sanded and then refinished with a fresh three coats of polyurethane.
HELP! I have Bellawood light maple floors. I have used everything to clean my floors, including the recommended Bellawood floor product. I have sought advice from everyone I know. My floor looks filmy, streaky and when the sun shines on the floor you see every smudge. I also have tried several kinds of mops and the Hoover cleaner for hardwood floors. It's just getting worse. How can I get all this stuff off my floor and return it to a clean, non-smudged, streaky appearance?
Answer:
It sounds like your floors have been cleaned or otherwise exposed to an Oil-base soap such as Murphy's Oil Soap. Oils, waxes and certain soaps should never be used on a hardwood floor finish. And when they are, even just once, it often leaves a filmy residue that includes smudges, smears, and even footprints, and it is very difficult to remove. Remember that you aren't cleaning the wood boards themselves (unless the finish has worn and they are exposed and damaged). You are cleaning the finish, most likely polyurethane that coats the tops of the wood boards to protect them. I suggest a good scrubbing, maybe several times, with a vinegar and water solution. However, the acidity of the vinegar could remove the finish, exposing the wood boards to irrepairable damage. The goal is to gently remove the build-up of wax or oils.
A word of caution: If there is indeed build-up on your floor, Do NOT have your floor recoated or refinished until that build-up is removed. The new finish will not adhere properly and you'll have all kinds of trouble with it. If you can't remove the build-up, the only solution is to have the floor sanded and then refinished with a fresh three coats of polyurethane.
To Stain Or Not To Stain Natural Hardwood Floors
Question:
I am having my wood floors refinished at the moment. I like the post sanding color- yet my refinisher is insisting that I need to stain it. I want to just seal it and put urethane down. Is that ok?
Answer:
The simple answer is ... there is no need to stain. You are the customer ... it is your floor ... and if you like the color of the natural wood, sealing it is the next step. Perhaps your contractor does not like the color for some reason, or suspects that you will be unhappy with the results if you don't stain. I would ask for reasons why he insists on stain to gage his reasoning. But bottom line: it is your preference.
I am having my wood floors refinished at the moment. I like the post sanding color- yet my refinisher is insisting that I need to stain it. I want to just seal it and put urethane down. Is that ok?
Answer:
The simple answer is ... there is no need to stain. You are the customer ... it is your floor ... and if you like the color of the natural wood, sealing it is the next step. Perhaps your contractor does not like the color for some reason, or suspects that you will be unhappy with the results if you don't stain. I would ask for reasons why he insists on stain to gage his reasoning. But bottom line: it is your preference.
Potted Plant Hardwood Floor Stain
Question:
I have a light colored wood flooring that has stains from a potted plant that overflowed water ... It is I believe a mixture of water and dirt ... dried in ... how do I clean? Thank you.
Answer:
If it doesn't clean up with your normal wood floor cleaner, or a mixture of vinegar and water, then it sounds like a water stain and is probably permanent damage that unfortunately needs to be sanded and recoated. It is hard to know without looking at it, but there is no "special" cleaner for water damage.
I have a light colored wood flooring that has stains from a potted plant that overflowed water ... It is I believe a mixture of water and dirt ... dried in ... how do I clean? Thank you.
Answer:
If it doesn't clean up with your normal wood floor cleaner, or a mixture of vinegar and water, then it sounds like a water stain and is probably permanent damage that unfortunately needs to be sanded and recoated. It is hard to know without looking at it, but there is no "special" cleaner for water damage.
How To Protect Old Hardwood Floors
Question:
We have recently discovered that under the horrible carpet we have through the main portion of the house- we have solid oak wood floors. It will need a sand and refinish ideally- though they are in pretty good shape. We can't afford to do that for a while...what do you suggest in the meantime to protect the floors for now? Our house is about 50 years old, we have no idea how old the flooring is. Thank you for your time.
Answer:
Since you are planning to sand and refinish the floors anyway, just use them as you would any other flooring until then. You can certainly put down area rugs and such, and should take the normal precautions to protect your hardwood floors such as avoiding water damage and never using wax or a soap-based cleaner on them. After they are sanded and coated, they should pretty much look brand new again!
We have recently discovered that under the horrible carpet we have through the main portion of the house- we have solid oak wood floors. It will need a sand and refinish ideally- though they are in pretty good shape. We can't afford to do that for a while...what do you suggest in the meantime to protect the floors for now? Our house is about 50 years old, we have no idea how old the flooring is. Thank you for your time.
Answer:
Since you are planning to sand and refinish the floors anyway, just use them as you would any other flooring until then. You can certainly put down area rugs and such, and should take the normal precautions to protect your hardwood floors such as avoiding water damage and never using wax or a soap-based cleaner on them. After they are sanded and coated, they should pretty much look brand new again!
Furniture Legs Damaged Hardwood Floor
Question:
Hi! I hope you can answer this question for me. Our kitchen table has left black rings, or "dots", on our hardwood floor where the table legs touched the floor. In moving the table today I noticed the damage. Is there anything I can do to remove this? We are putting our home on the market so I need to fix this. The rest of the flooring is in great shape. If you have any suggestions that would be great! Thank you.
Answer:
First, put furniture pads on the bottom of those table legs to protect the floor going forward. Second, this is difficult damage to repair, but you can cautiously try "goof off" or a similar product. I suspect, however, that the reaction between the floor finish and the table legs might have caused permanent discoloration that cannot be corrected without sanding and recoating the entire area. It is hard to know without looking at it. Is your floor polyurethane-finished? You might try contacting a manufacturer of such a floor finish - for example Dura Seal, Bona or Basic Coatings. Just google them and you'll get results.
Hi! I hope you can answer this question for me. Our kitchen table has left black rings, or "dots", on our hardwood floor where the table legs touched the floor. In moving the table today I noticed the damage. Is there anything I can do to remove this? We are putting our home on the market so I need to fix this. The rest of the flooring is in great shape. If you have any suggestions that would be great! Thank you.
Answer:
First, put furniture pads on the bottom of those table legs to protect the floor going forward. Second, this is difficult damage to repair, but you can cautiously try "goof off" or a similar product. I suspect, however, that the reaction between the floor finish and the table legs might have caused permanent discoloration that cannot be corrected without sanding and recoating the entire area. It is hard to know without looking at it. Is your floor polyurethane-finished? You might try contacting a manufacturer of such a floor finish - for example Dura Seal, Bona or Basic Coatings. Just google them and you'll get results.
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