Hardwood Flooring Care & Maintenance Guide

Your new hardwood flooring will add warmth and beauty to your home for years to come. Following a few simple maintenance steps will help protect your investment and keep your floor looking its best.

1. CLEANING

Recommended Cleaners:

Use Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner or Squeaky Brand Cleaner to clean and maintain your hardwood floor. Only the original or professional Bona formula is recommended. Do not use Bona Polish or any other Bona products.

Routine Care:

  • Blot spills and spots immediately. Standing moisture can penetrate the wood and cause permanent discoloration or damage. 
  • Vacuum, sweep, or dust mop regularly to remove abrasive grit and dirt. Note: Do not use vacuums with beater bars. 
  • Use a Terry Cloth-style mop with distilled water applied via spray bottle for daily wiping. 
  • Tap water may leave a cloudy film due to minerals. 
  • Periodically clean the floor using a recommended cleaner such as a Bona Cleaning Kit. 
  • A Tibet Almond Stick and/or a stain pen can be used to touch up surface scratches

Do Not Use:

  • Wax 
  • Polish 
  • Oil soap 
  • Abrasive cleaners 
  • Steel wool 
  • Scouring powder 
  • Wet mops, wet scrubbers, or steam cleaners
  • Vinegar or vinegar-based solutions — the acidic properties will degrade the finish.
  • Wood-care or hardwood floor cleaners — these are not formulated for vinyl and may leave residue.
  • Self-polishing acrylic waxes — they can make the surface slippery and cause it to appear dull quickly.
  • Steam mops, abrasive scrubbers, wax, polish, oil-based detergents, or ammonia-based cleaner.

These products can cause irreversible damage and are not recommended.

2. PROTECTING YOUR INVESTMENT

Environmental Conditions:

Hardwood flooring is a natural product and may expand or contract with changes in moisture. Maintain an indoor relative humidity level between 40%–60% year-round. Remove any standing water immediately.

Floor Protection:

  • Use high-quality vinyl-backed rugs and doormats at all entry points to capture dirt, sand, water, oil, and other materials. 
  • Install felt floor protectors and wide-bearing cylinder leg bases under furniture.  
  • The heavier the item, the wider the floor protector should be. 
  • The use of wheeled furniture is not recommended, as it may cause wear not covered by warranty.

Moving Heavy Items:

  • Lay down a clean ¼” plywood sheet before moving heavy furniture or appliances. 
  • Use a wide-base, air tire dolly. 
  • Never drag or roll heavy items directly on the flooring surface.