How We Maintain Government Facilities: A Walkthrough
See how government facility cleaning works—security, onboarding, QA, green cleaning, and communication—step by step.
Hardwood Floor Care: How to Keep Your Floors Gleaming
With the right routine (and a few things to avoid), hardwood can stay gorgeous for decades. Use the quick plan below for day-to-day shine, long-term protection, and fewer costly repairs.
With the right routine (and a few things to avoid), hardwood can stay gorgeous for decades. Use the quick plan below for day-to-day shine, long-term protection, and fewer costly repairs.
Hardwood essentials (what matters most)
- Dry first, damp second: dust-mop or vacuum (hard-floor setting, brush OFF) to remove grit before any damp cleaning.
- Use a hardwood-specific cleaner with a lightly damp microfiber pad. Never soak the floor; wipe spills immediately.
- Avoid damage-makers: no steam mops, no vinegar/ammonia/oil soap/abrasives, and don’t wax a polyurethane (urethane) finish.
- Protect from grit & scratches: entrance mats, felt pads on furniture, and trim pet nails.
Daily & weekly routine
- Daily: quick dust-mop or vacuum high-traffic lanes; spot-wipe drips and shoeprints.
- 2–3×/week (busy spaces): lightly damp-mop with a hardwood-approved spray cleaner and microfiber pad.
- Weekly: vacuum along baseboards and under furniture; check chair pads and replace if they’ve trapped grit.
Monthly & seasonal care
- Monthly: move rugs a few inches and rotate furniture to even out sun exposure; deep-clean mats and entry runners.
- Seasonal: keep indoor RH roughly 30–50% and temperature 60–80°F to minimize gaps, cupping, and stress on the finish.
- As needed: apply a manufacturer-approved maintenance coat (recoat) to refresh sheen before wear breaks through the finish.
What to avoid (and why)
- Steam mops & wet mopping: moisture and vapor can drive into seams and finishes, causing whitening, cupping, and damage.
- Vinegar, ammonia, oil soap, wax, or abrasive powders: can dull or soften modern urethane finishes, leave residues, or void warranties.
- Dragging heavy furniture/high heels: use sliders, lift when moving, and add felt pads; high point loads can dent wood.
Scratch & spill control
- Entry defense: use outdoor scraper mats + indoor wiper mats to stop grit; vacuum mats often.
- Furniture pads: felt on chair/table legs; inspect and replace when dirty or compressed.
- Spills: blot immediately; clean with hardwood cleaner and a soft cloth—avoid standing water.
Sunlight & fading
- Use sheers, blinds, or UV window film to reduce direct sun on floors.
- Rotate rugs and rearrange furniture a few times per year to keep color changes even over time.
Know your finish
- Urethane/polyurethane (most modern prefinished floors): clean with a hardwood-specific cleaner; do not wax. Recoat (screen & recoat) as sheen wears.
- Waxed or oil-finished floors: follow the finish manufacturer’s care system (clean, then re-wax or re-oil as directed).
FAQs
How often should I recoat?
Recoating before you see bare wood (often every few years in busy spaces) refreshes protection and avoids a full sand/refinish. Ask your installer or finish brand for timing based on traffic.Can I use a spin mop or steam mop?
No steam; and avoid soaking. Use a lightly damp microfiber pad with a hardwood cleaner, then dry any residual moisture.Is vinegar OK on hardwood?
No. Acids (like vinegar) can dull or damage modern finishes. Stick to pH-balanced, hardwood-specific cleaners.Need pro maintenance or a recoat schedule?
We help facilities keep wood floors clean, protected, and camera-ready—without risking the finish.Share:
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