Cleaning Polyurethane Coated Hardwood Floors

Hardwood floors are costly and should be maintained properly.

Cleaning polyurethane coated hardwood floors.

Wood floors in particular take a bit more care than concrete floors. Hardwood floors generally will be topped with a layer of hard gloss varnish or shellac in the old days polyurethane today which protects the wood from moisture and damage. Polyurethane is a common coating for floors particularly hardwood floors and concrete floors. Polyurethane hardwood floor finishes come in two varieties.

The gloss will wear and become dull over time. The former is usually the more durable of the two. If the floor itself isn t worn or damaged you can restore the shiny gloss. To protect the flooring a clear polyurethane coating is often added to seal the flooring.

However you still need to take special care when cleaning this type of floor as you can damage the floor or the coating if you re not careful. Polyurethane finished wood floors are more durable than the wax coatings of the past. All polyurethane finishes are water resistant but flooring professionals advise using water sparingly if at all for cleaning. This reduces wear and tear and also adds a protective barrier that prevents water and moisture from seeping into the wood.

These coatings are generally durable but they do require a little special care to keep them shiny and strong.