Cleaning Oil Based Urethane Floors

Apply the finish in a clean well ventilated area.

Cleaning oil based urethane floors.

After the film is hard it typically cures over a period. Water based polyurethane has gained a lot of popularity over the years because of its low odor low toxicity and how easy it is to remove compared to oil based ones. The biggest difference is in appearance. Both water based and oil based products give off strong fumes as they dry although oil based is decidedly worse so proper ventilation is a must.

That s a lot of time for dust to settle or bugs to land on the surface marring the final product. Polyurethane finished wood floors are more durable than the wax coatings of the past. Low ph cleaners can dull a polyurethane finish but some stains need more cleaning power than water and dish soap can provide. Vinegar is mildly acidic and can cut through white mineral streaks so adding a 1 4 cup or 1 2 cup of it to your dish soap cleaning solution will create a good treatment for a floor that gets a lot of foot traffic.

Unlike oil based polyurethane water based polyurethane does not add color to the wood and will preserve its natural tone. 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. Once your new oil finished wood flooring has been installed it s necessary to vacuum up any dust dirt from the installation process and then clean the flooring with an oil refresher diluted with water using a well wrung out mop. After the initial cleaning you can clean your oiled floor by simply vacuuming on a regular basis.

Here are our expert. The finish is the protective layer of your hardwood floors. Because different floor finishes have unique care requirements the best way to clean hardwood floors will depend on the type of finish rather than the wood species e g cherry maple oak. Polyurethane takes hours not minutes to dry.

The guidelines that apply to cleaning an oil based hardwood floor finish also apply to water based. Polyurethane is actually the most durable hardwood floor finish. A polyurethane or acrylic coating after you apply a water based finish to a floor and the water evaporates the film that remains is either polyurethane or acrylic which are both plastics. Water based and oil based polyurethane each offer good protection.

It s important to remember that when you clean your hardwood floors you aren t actually cleaning the wood you are cleaning the chemical finish on the wood.