Routine Maintenance
- Use a damp cloth to blot up spills as soon as they happen. Never allow liquids to stand on your floor. Safe cleaning products are Polycare or Bona.
- For tough spots, such as oil, paint, markers, lipstick, ink, or tar, apply mineral spirits on a clean white cloth, then wipe the area with a damp cloth to remove any remaining residue.
- Sweep, dust, or vacuum the floor regularly with a recommended hard floor attachment (not a beater bar) to prevent accumulation of dirt and grit that can scratch or dull the floor finish.
- Periodically clean the floor with cleaning products made specifically for urethane finishes.
- Do not wash or wet mop the floor with soap, water, oil-soap detergent, or any other liquid cleaning material. This could cause swelling, warping, delamination, joint-line separation and void the warranty.
- Do not use steel wool, abrasive cleaners, or strong ammoniated or chlorinated type cleaners.
- Do not use any type of buffing or polishing machine, these can generate heat or hot spots.
- For spots such as candle wax or chewing gum, harden the spot with ice and then gently scrape with a plastic scraper, such as a credit card. Be careful not to scratch the flooring surface. Wipe clean with a damp cloth.
- A more frequent dust-mopping or vacuuming schedule may be required in very sandy areas such as a beach home.
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Protection
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- Entry mats will help collect the dirt, sand, grit, and other substances such as oil, asphalt, or driveway sealer that might otherwise be tracked onto your floor.
- Do not use rubber or foam backed plastic mats as they may discolor the flooring finish. To prevent slippage, use an approved vinyl rug underlayment approved for urethane finishes.
- Use floor protectors and wide-load bearing leg bases/ rollers to minimize indentations and scratches from heavy objects. As a rule, the heavier the object, the wider the floor protector.
- Maintain a normal indoor relative humidity level between 45%-55% throughout the year to minimize the natural expansion and contraction of the wood. Failure to do so will void warranty
- Avoid excessive exposure to water during periods of inclement weather.
- Do not walk on your floor with stiletto heels, shoes with sports cleats or exposed metal parts.
- Use protective mats when moving refrigerators and pianos across the floors so no wheel marks are left behind.
- Keep your pet?s nails trimmed to prevent them from scratching your floor.
- UV sunlight will enhance the tone of different species of hardwood to varying degrees. Periodically rearranging your area rugs and furniture will allow the floor to antique or age evenly.
- Use a dolly when moving heavy furniture or appliances; but first, put down a piece of quarter inch plywood or Masonite to protect the floor. Never try to slide or roll heavy objects across the floor.
- A protective mat should be used for furniture or chairs with castors.
- Use cleaning products safe for urethane finishes; never use oil soaps, wax, liquid or other household products to clean your floor.
- Lumber Liquidators does not endorse the use of steam cleaning machines on hard wood products, use at your own risk.
- Toys and tools can scratch the finishes, scratches and dents are jobsite related, not warrantable.
- Painters tape can remove the finish from the floors.