I Don T Know What My Wood Floors Are Sealed With

Before you restore your wood floor finish or even clean it you need to know what type of finish it is or your efforts could be for naught.

I don t know what my wood floors are sealed with.

If the water drop beads on top of the wood your floor is sealed. When cleaning hardwood floors it is important to first determine whether or not your wood floors are finished or unfinished. Many floors have a polyurethane finish but certain finishes are harder than polyurethane and restorative finishes won t adhere well to them. Knowing how to stain and seal a hardwood floor properly pays off in having a beautiful finish and enduring protection.

Surface sealed floors are stain and water damage resistant and easiest to clean. Sealing the wood protects the floor from moisture which is the floor s worst enemy. Use a simple test to determine what finish is on your floor. If your home or apartment sports a hardwood floor it is important for you to know if the floor has been treated or finished so that you can clean and care for it in the right manner.

However this is often not a proper service for most of my customers sealed wood floors. Now that you have mopped the entire room don t think you are out of the woods yet. It is quite common to find unfinished wooden floors in older homes and apartments while finished or sealed floors are characteristic of contemporary homes with different sealing or treatment choices available. Post mop follow up.

Staining and sealing hardwood floors the right way whether you re refinishing refurbishing or stripping the wood floor results in years of enjoyment. Do not use water to clean your hardwood floors. Finished floors are considered sealed. Don t use straight ammonia alkaline products or abrasive cleaners.

Wipe the water from the floor. Sealed wood will not change color when coated with water or if left too long the sealer will turn white but bare wood will darken. Sealed floors have been coated with a protective top coat such as varnish or polyurethane. Don t rely on lemon juice or a vinegar and water solution to clean hardwood floors.

They ll dull or scratch the finish. If there are no drips on the floor then you are good to go otherwise re squeeze the mop. However if the bead of water sinks down into the floor and makes a spot the sealant on your floors is no longer sound and water damage can and will occur. Wood to tell if your wood floor is sealed find an inconspicuous area dab a drop of water on the surface and see if it soaks in or beads on top.