How to Maintain a Wood Floor in Utah
Daily and Weekly Care
A wood floor's biggest enemy is grit. Dirt and sand act like sandpaper under your feet and wear through the finish long before the wood itself is hurt. Most of keeping a hardwood floor beautiful comes down to a few simple habits.
- Sweep or dust-mop often. Daily in busy areas like kitchens and entries, weekly elsewhere. A microfiber dust mop picks up fine grit without scratching.
- Vacuum the right way. Use a hard-floor setting or a vacuum without a spinning beater bar, which can scuff the finish.
- Use mats at every door. A good walk-off mat outside and a rug inside catch most of the dirt before it reaches your floor.
- Wipe up spills right away. Use a dry or barely damp cloth. Never let water sit on the floor.
- Take shoes off and trim pet nails. Heels, cleats and long claws cause most of the dents and scratches we see.
Cleaning the Right Way
When sweeping isn't enough, clean with a product made for finished wood floors, such as Basic Coatings Squeaky or Bona. Spray it lightly on the floor or a microfiber pad, mop, and let it dry in a minute or two.
What to avoid:
- Too much water. Wet mops and buckets push water into the seams, which can swell and cup the boards.
- Steam mops. Heat and moisture break down the finish and can damage the wood.
- Vinegar, ammonia and all-purpose cleaners. They dull the finish over time.
- Oil soaps, waxes and "shine" products. Products like Murphy's Oil Soap, Minwax polishes and Orange Glo leave a buildup that looks cloudy and blocks a future recoat from bonding.
For a step-by-step version, see our basic wood care guide.
Utah's Dry Climate
Salt Lake City's air is dry most of the year, and it gets even drier in winter when the furnace runs. Wood gives up moisture in dry air and shrinks, which is why small gaps can open between boards in January and close again in summer. That seasonal movement is normal.
- Keep indoor humidity steady. Most wood flooring manufacturers recommend keeping indoor humidity between about 35% and 55%. A whole-house or room humidifier helps a lot in winter.
- Avoid big temperature swings. Keep the thermostat in a normal range, even when you're away.
- Watch for cupping or crowning. Edges that rise or a center that bulges usually means a moisture problem from below or a leak. Call us before it gets worse.
Protect Your Floor
- Felt pads under furniture. Put them on every chair, table and couch leg, and replace them when they wear thin or collect grit.
- Lift, don't drag. Move heavy furniture with sliders or by lifting it.
- Rugs in high-traffic spots. Use rugs at entries, under desk chairs and in front of the sink. Choose rug pads made for finished wood floors; some rubber backings can discolor the finish.
- Block strong sun. Sunlight darkens or lightens wood over time. Use blinds or UV window film, and move rugs and furniture around now and then so the color changes evenly.
- Office chairs. Use a chair mat or soft wheels made for hard floors.
When to Recoat
The finish on your floor is what takes the wear, not the wood. When the finish starts to look dull or covered in fine surface scratches, but the wood underneath isn't damaged, it's time for a clean and recoat.
We deep-clean the floor, lightly abrade the existing finish and apply a fresh coat. There's no sanding to bare wood and no dust storm, and most rooms are done in a day. Depending on traffic, pets and kids, many homes need a recoat every 3–5 years.
Recoating on schedule is the cheapest way to make a hardwood floor last for decades, because it keeps wear from ever reaching the wood.
When to Sand & Refinish
A recoat can't fix damage that has gone through the finish into the wood. It's time for a full sand and refinish when you see:
- Gray or dark worn spots in traffic paths. This is dirt that has worked into bare wood after the finish wore away.
- Deep scratches, dents or pet stains that you can feel with a fingernail.
- A color you're tired of. Sanding to bare wood lets you stain solid hardwood almost any color.
Solid hardwood can be sanded many times. Engineered hardwood can be sanded only if its top wood layer is thick enough, so we check before we start.
Most refinishes take 3–4 days. You can walk on the floor in socks after about 24 hours and move furniture back after 3–4 days. Refinishing usually runs about $4–$6 per square foot. Learn about our sand & finish process.
Professional Floor Care
Vama Flooring has installed, cleaned, recoated and refinished hardwood floors across Salt Lake City, Sandy and the Salt Lake Valley since 2006. Our own trained crews do the work, and we don't sub it out.
- Clean and recoat to refresh a dull floor in about a day.
- Dust-contained sand and refinish with a two-component water-based finish that doesn't yellow.
- Board repair and replacement for water damage, pet stains and broken boards.
Not sure whether you need a recoat or a refinish? Schedule a free estimate and we'll tell you honestly. Shopping for a new floor? See our hardwood flooring options.
Wood Floor Care FAQ
How often should I mop my hardwood floor?
Sweep or dust-mop often, and damp-clean with a wood floor cleaner only when needed, usually every week or two in busy areas and less elsewhere.
Can I use a steam mop on hardwood?
No. Steam forces heat and moisture into the wood and breaks down the finish.
Are Swiffer-style wet pads okay?
Lightly damp pads are fine for quick touch-ups, but a spray wood-floor cleaner and a washable microfiber mop do a better job and leave less residue.
What's the best cleaner for wood floors?
A pH-neutral cleaner made for finished wood floors, such as Basic Coatings Squeaky or Bona. Avoid oil soaps, waxes, vinegar and all-purpose cleaners.
Why are there gaps between my boards in winter?
Utah's dry winter air makes wood shrink. Small seasonal gaps are normal and usually close in summer. A humidifier keeps them smaller.
How do I know if I need a recoat or a refinish?
If the floor is dull or lightly scratched but the wood isn't damaged, a recoat is usually enough. Gray worn spots, deep scratches or stains mean the wood needs sanding.
How long does a refinished floor need before I can use it?
You can walk on it in socks after about 24 hours and move furniture back after 3–4 days. Wait a couple of weeks before putting rugs down.