Key Takeaways
- Water is hardwood's enemy. Never wet-mop hardwood floors. Use a damp (not wet) microfiber mop only.
- Vacuum or dry mop daily in high-traffic areas to prevent grit from scratching the finish.
- Use a pH-neutral cleaner designed for hardwood. Vinegar and soap-based cleaners can damage the finish over time.
- Felt pads on furniture legs are the single best thing you can do to prevent scratches.
- Refinishing every 7-10 years restores hardwood to like-new condition — it is a long-term investment that pays off.
Hardwood floors are beautiful, durable, and — if cleaned wrong — surprisingly easy to damage. Too much water warps them. The wrong cleaner dulls the finish. Grit tracked in on shoes acts like sandpaper with every step.
The good news is that proper hardwood floor care is simple once you know the rules. A consistent routine takes just a few minutes a day and keeps your floors looking great for decades. Here is exactly how to do it.
Daily and Weekly Care
Daily: Sweep or Dust Mop
The biggest threat to hardwood floors is grit — tiny particles of dirt, sand, and debris that scratch the finish every time someone walks across the floor. In Oregon, where rain and mud are constants for much of the year, grit control is especially important.
- Use a microfiber dust mop or soft-bristle broom daily in high-traffic areas (entryways, kitchen, hallways).
- A robot vacuum set to run daily is a great hands-off alternative.
- Place doormats at every entry door (inside and outside) to catch grit before it reaches your floors.
Weekly: Vacuum
Once a week, vacuum the entire floor using the hard-floor setting (with the beater bar turned off). The beater bar on a carpet setting will scratch hardwood. A vacuum picks up fine dust and pet hair that a broom misses.
How to Mop Hardwood Floors
Mop hardwood floors every 1-2 weeks, or more often in the kitchen. The key rule: damp, not wet.
- Choose the right cleaner. Use a pH-neutral hardwood floor cleaner (like Bona or Method Wood Floor Cleaner). Avoid vinegar, Murphy's Oil Soap, and general-purpose cleaners — they can leave residue or dull the finish.
- Use a microfiber mop. Spray a light mist of cleaner on a 3-4 foot section of floor.
- Mop with the grain. Just like stainless steel, hardwood has a grain direction. Mop parallel to the wood planks.
- Do not let water pool. If you see standing water, you are using too much. Wring out the mop head until it is barely damp.
- Dry quickly. Go over the mopped area with a dry microfiber cloth if needed. In Oregon's humid climate, opening a window or running a fan helps floors dry faster.
What to Never Use on Hardwood
| Product / Method | Why It Harms Hardwood |
|---|---|
| Steam mops | Force moisture into seams and under the finish, causing warping and peeling |
| Wet Swiffer or soaking mop | Too much water — same swelling and warping risk |
| Vinegar | Acidic — dulls polyurethane finish over time |
| Oil soap (Murphy's) | Leaves waxy buildup that attracts dirt and dulls the floor |
| Ammonia or bleach | Damages finish and can discolor the wood |
| Wax on polyurethane-finished floors | Creates a hazy, sticky layer that is difficult to remove |
Preventing and Fixing Scratches
Prevention
- Felt pads on all furniture legs. Check and replace them every 6 months — they wear down and collect grit.
- No shoes on hardwood. A "shoes off at the door" policy is the most effective scratch prevention.
- Trim pet nails. Long claws scratch hardwood with every step.
- Lift, do not drag. Never slide furniture, appliances, or heavy objects across hardwood.
- Use rugs in high-traffic areas. Hallways, kitchen work areas, and in front of sinks benefit from runners.
Fixing Minor Scratches
- Surface scratches (finish only): Apply a hardwood floor touch-up pen or crayon in a matching shade. Buff lightly with a soft cloth.
- Deeper scratches (into the wood): Fill with color-matched wood filler, let dry, sand smooth, and apply a thin layer of polyurethane.
- Widespread scratching: This indicates it is time for a professional screen-and-recoat, which refreshes the top layer without full sanding.
Seasonal Hardwood Care
- Fall/Winter (Oregon rainy season): Increase mat use at entries. Consider a boot tray for wet shoes. Check humidity levels — Oregon's wet winters can raise indoor humidity, which causes wood to expand. Use a dehumidifier if levels exceed 55%.
- Spring/Summer: Dry air from air conditioning or Oregon's summer heat can cause hardwood to contract and develop gaps. A humidifier or simply monitoring indoor humidity (aim for 35-55%) prevents this.
When to Call a Professional
Some hardwood floor tasks are best left to professionals:
- Screen and recoat (every 3-5 years): Lightly buffs the existing finish and applies a fresh topcoat. Less invasive than full refinishing.
- Full sanding and refinishing (every 7-10 years): Removes the old finish entirely and starts fresh. This can make 50-year-old floors look brand new.
- Water damage repair: If planks are warped, cupped, or buckled from water exposure, a professional can assess whether individual boards need replacement.
For regular floor cleaning as part of a home maintenance routine, Otesse's cleaning professionals know how to properly care for hardwood floors — using the right products and techniques to protect your investment.
Keep Your Hardwood Looking Its Best
Hardwood floor care comes down to three habits: keep grit off the surface, use minimal water, and use the right cleaner. That daily dust-mop and weekly damp-mop routine protects a floor that can last a century if treated properly.
If your floors need more attention than a weekly mop — or if you want consistent professional care — get in touch with Otesse. We serve homes across Oregon and treat every floor like it is our own.
