After Care

Caring for Your Newly Refinished Hardwood Floors

Congratulations on your restored hardwood floors! With the right care and maintenance, your floors will stay beautiful for decades. Please follow the guidelines below to ensure the finish cures properly and the wood remains protected.

🕒 The First Week: The Curing Process

Even though the floor may look and feel dry, the finish takes time to fully “cure” (harden) to its maximum durability.

The First 24 Hours

  • Keep Off: Do not walk on the floors.

  • Air Flow: Keep AC/Heat on as normal to assist with curing process.

24 to 48 Hours

  • Socks Only: You may walk on the floors with socks. Avoid shoes and bare feet (oils from skin can affect the curing finish).

  • No Furniture: Keep the rooms empty.

Day 3 to Day 7

  • Move Furniture Back: You can gently return furniture. Lift and place items; never drag or slide them.

  • Install Felt Pads: Apply felt protectors to the legs of all furniture before placing them on the floor.

  • No Rugs Yet: Do not lay down area rugs or mats. The finish needs to “breathe” to cure properly. Covering it too soon can cause soft spots or discoloration.

  • Keep Dry: Do not use water or cleaner on the floor during this period.

🧹 Routine Cleaning & Maintenance

Daily / Weekly

  • Dust & Vacuum: Dirt and grit act like sandpaper. Regular dusting or vacuuming is the best way to prevent scratches.  This works well.  https://a.co/d/90gPamg

  • Vacuum Settings: Use a vacuum with a hard floor attachment. If using an upright vacuum, ensure the beater bar (rotating brush) is turned off, as this can damage the finish.

Monthly / As Needed

  • Damp Mop Only: Use a microfiber mop slightly dampened with a recommended hardwood floor cleaner.

  • Recommended Cleaner: We recommend using “ProCare Citrus Floor Cleaner”  You can search for this on Amazon.  Any other neutral cleaner will work as well. https://a.co/d/aaM73yy

  • Avoid Excess Water: Never soak your floor. Wood swells when wet. Mops should be damp, not dripping.

🚫 What to AVOID (Strictly Prohibited)

To maintain your finish and the look of your floor, never use the following:

  1. Steam Mops: Heat and forced moisture will ruin the finish and warp the wood planks.

  2. Oil Soaps or Wax: Products like Murphy’s Oil Soap, Mop and Glow, Rejuvenate, Pledge, or paste wax leave a residue that makes the floor sticky and makes future recoating impossible without sanding down to bare wood again.

  3. Vinegar and Water: Vinegar is acidic and can dull the finish over time.

  4. Ammonia or Bleach: These harsh chemicals will damage the finish and the wood fibers.

🛡️ Preventative Protection

  • Felt Pads are Mandatory: Every piece of furniture that touches the floor needs a felt pad. Replace these every 6–12 months as they compress and gather grit.

  • Pet Claws: Keep dog and cat nails trimmed. Even the hardest finish can be scratched by a heavy dog with sharp nails digging in for traction.

  • Area Rugs: Place breathable mats at all exterior doors to catch dirt and grit before it enters the house.

  • Sunlight: UV rays can change the color of wood over time (oxidation). Periodically move rugs and furniture to allow the floor to age evenly.

🔄 Long-Term Care: The “Buff & Coat”

Hardwood floor finishes are durable, but they are not permanent. Over time, friction from walking will slowly wear down the top protective layer. The good news is that you don’t always need a full sanding to restore them.

Typical Timeline

High-quality finishes typically last several years before needing attention. However, this depends heavily on traffic levels (kids, pets, shoes).

  • Low Traffic: 5–7+ years

  • High Traffic (Kitchens/Hallways): 3–5 years

Signs It Is Time to Recoat

A “Screen and Recoat” (also known as a Buff & Coat) is a maintenance process where we lightly abrade the top layer of finish and apply a fresh coat. This is much faster, cheaper, and cleaner than a full refinishing job.

Look for these indicators:

  • Dull Areas: If high-traffic areas (like the path to the fridge or the front door) look noticeably duller or matte compared to the corners of the room.

  • Surface Scratches: When you see a network of fine surface scratches that make the floor look “tired.”

  • Texture Changes: If the grain texture is becoming more prominent in walking paths.

Pro Tip: If you are unsure, call us for an assessment. Catching it early saves you money and preserves the wood thickness.