Wood floors are great, but are you sure you know how to clean wood floors with polyurethane finish correctly so they can last longer? Click here to read more.
Nowadays, many homeowners prefer wood floors as they are generally cleaner than other floorings and very durable.
Plus, if you know how to clean wood floors with polyurethane finish the right way, they can last for decades.
So, what are the steps to clean wood floors polyurethane? What cleaning tools will you need?
Find out the answers in our detailed guide below.
More:
What is the wood floors with a polyurethane finish?
Polyurethane is a versatile and environmentally friendly plastic material. It is also safe for humans and pets, therefore is widely used in many products such as coatings, car parts, sportswear, etc.
Wood floors with polyurethane finish are wood floors coated with polyurethane. This coating helps wood floors resist chemicals, fungus, water, and abrasions.
Of course, other types of wood coatings are available, but polyurethane stands out because it’s transparent and doesn’t take long to dry.
Two types of wood floors sealed with polyurethane are available: oil-based and water-based.
Oil-based polyurethane wood floors are more durable and create a more beautiful finish than water-based ones.
On the other hand, water-based polyurethane wood floors are safer for us to use and more environmentally friendly.
Another great advantage of polyurethane finish is the sheen levels. That’s right; you don’t have to stick with just one option. Whether your wood floors have a glossy or matte look is up to you.
Now that you have known how great wood floors with polyurethane finish are, let’s find out how to clean them properly.
Don’t worry; the process is not hard at all!
How to clean wood floors with polyurethane finish?
As we have mentioned above, wood floors sealed with polyurethane are available in oil-based and water-based ones.
Generally, cleaning these two types of wood floor coating requires the same process, with only some additional tips for oil-based ones.
How to clean water-based polyurethane wood floors:
To clean this type of wood floor finish, you will need:
- A broom with soft-bristles or a vacuum used for wood floors. Otherwise, a normal vacuum can create scratches on the floor surface.
- A mop. We recommend using a microfiber mop to protect your wood floors coating best.
- Either soap, dish detergent, or vinegar if there are stubborn grits on your floor.
Now, to clean water-based polyurethane wood floors, follow our step-by-step routine:
- Firstly, use the vacuum/broom to get rid of the dirt, dust, and debris on the floor.
- Then, make your own cleaner by mixing water with soap (dish detergent, vinegar). The goal is to dilute the cleaning agents to a mild solution, enough to clean the grit off the finish.
- After that, soak the mop with the cleaner and wring it until it becomes damp. Wipe the floor with the mop and scrub at the grit with minimal pressure.
- Repeat the step above, using clean water instead of the cleaning solution.
- Let the wood floor dry completely before walking on it, or you can use a dry rag if you hate waiting.
Take note that water can discolor and make wood swell, even with a polyurethane finish. So never use a soaking wet mop to clean wood floors.
How to clean oil-based polyurethane wood floors:
The steps to clean this type of wood floors are almost the same as those of water-based ones.
However, due to the oil content in this coating type, more dust and dirt tend to cling to the surface.
Here’s our suggestion on how to clean oil-based polyurethane wood floors.
What you will need:
- A broom or a vacuum intended for wood floors.
- A soft rag or a sponge. You will have to get on your hands and knees with these pieces of cleaning equipment, but we guarantee it will get the job done better.
- Baking soda or soap. We don’t recommend using vinegar as its acidity may dull the coating overtime, more so with oil-based polyurethane wood floors.
When you have gathered all the required equipment, simply follow the cleaning process we have mentioned above.
However, instead of soaking the rag, just spray the cleaning solution on small parts of the floor, then use the damp rag to wipe it away.
Tips for maintaining wood floors polyurethane
Beware of the grit. This includes dirt, sand, and other fine particles. Normally, grit doesn’t do any harm to your wood floors sealed with polyurethane.
However, leaving it on for a long time, combined with foot traffic, can damage and dull the finish.
We advise you to clean your wood floors coated with polyurethane regularly, either by mopping or sweeping.
Don’t stick any type of tape or glue onto the surface of your wood floors polyurethane. They will react with each other, and the glue/tape may end up peeling off your coating.
Use doormats. They help a lot with limiting the grit from entering your house and onto your wood floors. Remember to clean them occasionally.
You don’t want to see dirty doormats every time you get home, right?
Pay attention when moving your furniture around. Do not pull, push, or glide any stuff if you have wood floors with a polyurethane finish.
This is very important because just friction from a small chair can potentially scratch or compress your wood floors.
Some final words
That was our detailed, step-by-step guide on how to clean wood floors with polyurethane finish. This type of wood floor is really easy to clean and maintain.
More importantly, they give your house a luxurious and classic feel, so don’t hesitate to use them to decorate your home.
We hope our post has provided you with helpful information on cleaning your wood floors effectively!
If you have further questions, drop us a comment below, and we are willing to lend you a hand!
