Hardwod Floors

P.,

I had the same problem. I used the Swiffer cleaner for wood floors and Orange Glo, and whatever else I thought was decent. It ruined my floors. The best thing to use, according to many people who install foors for a living, is Bona-X. It's by Bonakemi (or something like that). After I installed more wood floors and sanded down what I already had, I've ONLY used this brand and refuse to use anything else. They have Bona Wood floor cleaner for every day use and Bona Refresher/Polisher, I think.

You can go to their website and pull up a list of stores that carry it by zipcode. I believe many Ace Hardware stores carry it.

Good luck.

I use Murphy's Oil Soap. I put it a spray bottle diluted with warm water, spray on and wipe off. I will then leave some in the bottle for touch up areas like when the dogs drool or the kids spill!

Hi P.-I am very particular about my hardwood being shiny too and tried several products. The best is Holloway House, which a neighbor told me about after I saw how awesome hers floors were. I buy it at Publix. There is a Holloway House floor cleaner and a Holloway House floor polish. You need both. My first time using them, I used the cleaner first,then put 5 (yes 5!) coats of the Holloway House Polish on top of that. Takes about 30 min to dry in between coats, but you will only need to do that the first time to get it to the desired shine you want. If you don't want as shiny, you don't have to do so many coats of polish. Plus it dries great - no tackiness. After the first application, now I only use the cleaner and then one coat of the polish to keep them up and they gleam! It doesn't cover up scratches or anything, but the shine is really amazing. My husband doubted me at first, but he couldn't believe the difference and everyone comments on my shiny floors now!

I have found the very best cleaner for hardwoods is Bruce. You really do have to put some umph into it -- it's a little aerobic, but you get the mop, which is a stick with a flat board on the end, which you stretch a towel over, and the Bruce Hardwood floor cleaner, spray it on an area, and put some muscle into really rubbing it in. Once a week, or at least every two weeks, will keep them in beautiful condition. But, like I said, you have to be committed, and think of it as a form of exercise for yourself! But year after year, they are beautiful, bright, shiny, and in excellent condition. I'm also a fan of Murphy's for cleaning, but Bruce is like a conditioner. Good luck! BTW - I've tried that cleaner, I can't remember the name, but the commercial had a hot Aussie guy on it, it's some kind of electric floor cleaner -- complete waste of money. The truth is, it takes muscle.

Hey P., I just bought my house 6 months ago and I know exactly what you are talking about. The first three months after we moved in we had the builders come back in with the different vendors they used to put in the cabinets, floors, carpet ect... There was an older gentleman who put down the hard wood floors and he advised me to purchase Bona you can get it at Lowes. I actually found it in Sears. I think it works wonders. Theres no oil build up and the shine is there all the time. Try it and let me know what you think. The other product he told me to use was called Bruces, but neighbors have complained that they don't like it. I recommend Bona I actually use it and can tell you its great.Good Luck!

P.,

You say it is a hard wood floor. Check with your paperwork to make sure it isn't some type of laminate (which is also made from wood, but is cleaned much differently).

There are different types of finishes that your laminate may have also. You need to check your paperwork or with your builder/floor installer.

My floor has a great shine to it, but actually has NO sealer on it. So if I were to use what the first lady advised I would have increased my floor cleaning requirements immediately and permanently.

We use Orange Glo and I'll swear by it. But I also have a shiny laminate floor that has no sealer on it.

A little homework now will prevent permanent extra work later.

Good luck!

Hi P.,

Sounds like you or someone else may have contaminated your floors with improper cleaning. I responded to a similar mom last year and am pasting that response for you to review wth some edits. Hope it helps. You are welcome to email directly if you have any questions.

Wow! I just read through the various responses and feel compelled to share some information. I have owned a commercial cleaning and property maintenance company in the Greater Atlanta area, (based in Kennesaw) for many years. We deal primarily with the luxury home market, re-sells and model homes in particular. We are required to have a 2 million general liability policy. This is because we are responsible to protect and preserve the various installations of the homes.

Hardwood floors are not the same as they were when we were all children. In those days we could wash, wax, scrub with soapy water, etc... Not so anymore.

Be aware that any new homes should have warranties for all upgrades. You may have to ask for them. It is important to read your warranties for granite, hardwoods and any other upgrade. Know the manufacturer of your floors and keep their toll free numbers listed for reference. They all have technical divisions that can advise you about proper cleaning and trouble-shooting. Improper cleaning of your floors will, in most cases, negate the warranty.

Beautiful wood floors are an investment that should be protected. Some warranties specifically name Murphy's Oil Soap as what NOT to use. Most will say NOT to damp mop or expose the floor to water. That includes steam cleaners. This verbiage is confusing since their procedure for cleaning sometimes, involves wetting the micro fiber or terry floor tool pad with water, then wringing it out well before beginning. The cleaner is also water based so some moisture on the floor is ok for cleaning but shouldn't have prolonged contact with the floor (such as a spill) or a cleaning tool damp enough to cause some pooling of water or cleaner.

In an effort to eliminate some of the noxious fumes from prior finishes and adhere to EPA guidelines, many newer finishes are water-based. Also, not all installers apply the multiple coats of finish which used to be standard. Not all wood floors are sealed.

It is important to know what kind of floors you have and how they were finished. Hopefully there will be a warranty to instruct and inform.

Today's finishes are easily contaminated. This means that if you use a cleaner that has an ingredient that tends to bond to the finish, it will eventually dull the floor. Some cleaners indeed clean the floor but begin to break down the finish in the cleaning process. You need to protect your finish. It is there to beautify and protect the wood.

The life of your hardwoods depend on the amount (and type) of traffic and the proper care of your floor. If hardwoods are well cared for, you can periodically "refresh" the finish to prolong the new look. Eventually you will need what is called a "sand and recoat". That is just light abrasion, thorough cleaning and re-application of the finish.

However, if your floors are contaminated (they spot test for chemical and oil residue), this will not work and you will have to have the floors sanded and refinished. This is more expensive. Where older floors seem to last for generations, many newer hardwood floors have a life-span of only three to five refinish options before the floors have to be replaced. Therefore one should know what type of floor you have, what kind of finish, etc.

I know this information will be horrifying to many who have used improper cleaning methods. Unfortunately, most builders and developers do not educate their homebuyers. From my experience, it is not ill-will on their part, but lack of knowledge. Since floor installation is subcontracted in most cases, the builders rely on the cleaners. Only the most prudent maintenance people read the warranties. I can tell you that many times warranties are negated by the cleaning crews before the home even goes to closing!

The first time (years ago) I read the warranty for some hardwoods in a new community, I laughed and said “the homeowner will have to stand outside the home and look at his floors through the windows to maintain this warranty . . ." no moisture, no high heels, no animal's untrimmed nails, etc...wipe up any acid based spill immediately, such as coffee as it will eat into the finish . . .

Warning: Some warranties warn that a chemical found in Swiffer cloths should not come in contact with wood floors!
There are even hardwood floor cleaners on the market that are not safe to use on some hardwood floors! Go figure. Again, I don't personally think product manufacturers are trying to destroy our floors. Perhaps they don't have product engineers who are researching the current and ever changing market.

Now that I have shared so much disturbing news, I will say that there are a few products on the market that are formulated specifically for this generation's hardwood floors. The Bona Khemi products are great. They are also marketed under the names "Crystal Clear" (might be Krystal Klear) and Orange Glo. Orange Glo seems to have a slightly different formulation. It leaves a film on some floors where the Bona X doesn't. I have contacted the mfg several times and cannot get a response from them about Orange Glo and warranties.

For all who have steamed, oiled, swiffered, and used good old fashioned vinegar and water --- you are in good company. Don't worry. If your floors look good and are clean and you are enjoying them, forget the warranty. The idea is to enjoy your floors. You can't go back and start over. You may even have a custom installation with a finish that allows vinegar and water or wet mopping. Remember that once you wax, you must continue waxing. Once you have contaminated your floors, you can't remove it without sanding so keep going until you can justify the cost. (Or rent the equipment and do it yourself.)

But for all who are buying a new home, read the warranty and make sure whoever cleans your home, understands how to protect your investment.

PS Bruce products are probably formulated for today's finishes since they are stocked by some wood floor distributors. When in doubt, call the 800 number on the back of a product and tell them what kind of installation you have and whether the product is formulated to support it.

I had been using the Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner and one day I was at my neighbor's house and their floors looked so good so I asked what they were using. When they told me all they do is use warm water and a little dish soap I was floored (no pun intended. Now I find the best cleaner for my floors is using a micro fiber padded mop and the warm water with a bit of dish soap. I ring the pad out in between each dip so it's damp but not soaked. My floors are so clean and shiny after I'm done.

i like halloway house cleaner. there is a quick cleaner and then a finish that has to dry for about 15 minutes. i only do the finish 2 times a month and the cleaner any time i need it--it is really easy, just squirt it on the floor and mop! it was recommended to me by the lady that cleaned my house after i had my second child and still trying to adjust to adding another sweet life into the mix and surviving. hope this helps. oh, it is sold at wal-mart and grocery stores.

Use a hardwood wax or finish after buffing, it should give it a good shine.

Cleaning wood floors is one of the many jobs that a chemical-free cleaner will perform. 16 ounces will expand into 64 ounces for $5.24. This product is 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed.
P. S