Cleaning Polyurethane Wooden Floors

Hardwood floors generally will be topped with a layer of hard gloss varnish or shellac in the old days polyurethane today which protects the wood from moisture and damage.

Cleaning polyurethane wooden floors.

This reduces wear and tear and also adds a protective barrier that prevents water and moisture from seeping into the wood. Hardwood floors are costly and should be maintained properly. Mix a cleaning solution consisting of 1 2 cup of ammonia per gallon. Clean wood floors with vinegar before applying the polyurethane.

The best soaps for polyurethane floors are mild ph neutral ones. Although you should normally avoid ammonia when cleaning hardwood floors removal of the residue from oil soap is a special case. Spray a small 3 foot by 3 foot area with the cleaner and pick up. You can also use soaps specifically made for polyurethane hardwood floors.

Begin by dusting or sweeping your floors well. If the spill has already dried onto the floor spray it with some glass cleaner before wiping with a damp cloth. If the floor itself isn t worn or damaged you can restore the shiny gloss. Polyurethane finishes usually don t require deep cleaning often but when they do a ph neutral cleaner is best although vinegar which is acidic helps with problem stains.

When the floor gets particularly dirty mop it with a solution of warm water and mild dish soap. Lemon juice mixed with water dampen a microfibre cloth with this solution and buff the floor. For instance you can simply use a capful of dishwashing soap or murphy oil soap in a bucket of water. These finishes easily absorb water and water can warp wood floors so use only solvent based cleaning products instead of water based ones on floors with penetrating finishes.

To clean spills on polyurethane coated wood floors wipe up the liquid with a damp cloth as quickly as possible. The gloss will wear and become dull over time. To protect the flooring a clear polyurethane coating is often added to seal the flooring. For surface treated floors wet clean with bona hardwood floor cleaner spray.

Do not shake but gently mix this then mop or. Mix up a solution of soap and water. All polyurethane finishes are water resistant but flooring professionals advise using water sparingly if at all for cleaning.