Q: I have hardwood floors in my kitchen that have been down for 8 years. I have always cleaned with oil soap. I have never had any issues until about 2 weeks ago! Footprints, dog prints and my son’s wheelchair are leaving filmy, greasy residue. I have cleaned with water, vinegar and water, vinegar and dawn dish soap. The prints are gone but are right back when you walk on it. It gets worse the more you walk on it. I bought Bona, didn’t help, it’s doing same thing. At my wits end. Thank you.
Care & Maintenance of Wood Floors
Nearly 100 Q&A posts on caring for and protecting your wood floors.
Slippery spots on recently installed wood floor
Q: I recently installed engineered hardwood floors in my kitchen. The floor has several slippery spots and I’m not sure how to eliminate these slippery spots. I am not sure what is causing it. What is the best way to clean the floor and eliminate the slippery spots?
How to tell if an old wood floor is coated with wax or shellac (to pick a cleaning product)
Q: I just bought a beautiful mid-century brick ranch in Ohio (1963) and found an amazing, never used hardwood flooring under the carpet. I’ve lifted corners in each room and it all has the same beauty. Carpet tacks along the edges and staples were used for the padding, but glue doesn’t seem to present. It all has lifted off easily.
Wide plank flooring and cold, dry winters
Q imported from our old site, Face Lift Floors: I would like to know if wide plank flooring would be suitable in the Edmonton, Alberta region, with its cold, dry winters. I am afraid of shrinkage problems (gaps and cracking and warping), but I really like the traditional look of the wide plank. Any advice?
How to disinfect wood floors
Q: I would like to know the best way/product I can use to sanitize/disinfect my sealed hardwood floors.
Up-to-date hardwood floor cleaner recommendation – as of 2020
Q: I have new engineered wood flooring and the builder’s cleaning crew used Bona to clean the floor before we moved in. Now there is a dull haze on it that I can’t remove. I’ve tried everything. Can you give me some guidance?
Drainage pan under dishwasher to protect wood floors?
Q: Should we have an underlayment installed over the plywood subfloor before an unfinished solid wood floor is installed in our kitchen, as well in all the other rooms (not bathrooms of course)? Should any drainage pan be installed by a plumber underneath the dishwasher and refrigerator in case of flooding?
When can I wash newly refinished floors to remove any sticky residue left behind?
Q: My husband and I recently purchased a home and we are having the floors refinished using Duraseal stain and oil poly. We have a 15-month old son who is very active and into everything. How long after the floors are completed should we wait to move in, so it is safe for our son?
Do not use a steam mop on your wood floor – ever!
Q: A few days ago we had Bruce engineered hardwood floors installed by a flooring contractor in our bedroom.
Waxing a polyurethaned floor?
Q imported from our old site, Face Lift Floors: I put on three coats of polyurethane on my newly sanded and stained floor and was wondering if I need to wax it.