Michigan State University Extension
Home Maintenance And Repair - 01500144
06/24/03
Wood Floors-Care and Cleaning
Sealing
Wood floors should be protected with a sealer.
Penetrating sealers go into the wood pores; worn spots
can be resealed.
Lacquer, shellac, varnish stay on top of the wood; if
worn off in traffic areas, usually the whole floor has to
be sanded and refinished.
Prevent scratches when moving furniture by putting heavy
socks over the legs.
Cleaning
Vacuum often to keep dirt from grinding into the
floor finish or sticking to it.
Wipe up spills immediately. A damp (not wet) cloth may be
used on a well-sealed wood floor to wipe up food spills
or mud. Wipe dry with cloth or paper towel.
Clean when necessary with a solvent-based liquid wax for
wood. Follow directions on container. Solvent removes
dirt and old wax, and leaves a thin wax coating which
must be buffed. Apply with:
1. A dry cloth, rubbing floor and refolding the clean
part of cloth as dirt is taken up; hard on knees
2. Cloth over long-handled wax applicator, rubbing and
refolding cloths as above
3. Electric polishers (can be rented), changing to
clean brushes or pads as dirt and wax are taken up.
and buff wax left on floor: immediately if by hand;
after 20-30 minutes if with electric polisher.
This article was written by Anne Field, Extension
Specialist, Emeritus with references from Finishing &
Maintaining Wood Floors North Central Regional bulletin,
Purdue Extension and the U.S. Forest Service.
This information is for educational purposes only. References
to commercial products or trade names does not imply
endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not
mentioned. This information becomes public property upon
publication and may be printed verbatim with credit to MSU
Extension. Reprinting cannot be used to endorse or advertise
a commercial product or company.
MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer. Michigan State
University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race,
color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability,
political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status.
Issued in furtherance of MSU Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in
cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Thomas G. Coon, Director,
MSU Extension, East Lansing,MI 48824. This information is for educational
purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names does not imply
endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not mentioned.
This file was generated from data base 02 on 02/04/08.
Data base 02 was last revised on 06/24/03.
For more information about this data base or its contents please contact
strausc@msu.edu .