Floor Consult

Bruce No-Wax Hardwood Floors with a Dura-Luster, Dura-Luster Plus or Permion Finish and Bruce Laminate Floors are similar in the way they are maintained. If you have one of these Bruce floors in your home or if you’re considering one for purchase, this information will help you understand the process of caring for your floor.

Each floor comes with a detailed set of Care & Maintenance Instructions and a Warranty. These two documents go hand in hand because the Care Instructions tell you how to uphold your Warranty through Maintenance. The instructions contain easy to follow, detailed information about specific conditions and situations. This really boils down to a few basic rules… clean your floor regularly, be careful with items that can scratch the floor and use manufacturer recommended maintenance products only (to uphold the Warranty).

Bruce Hardwood & Laminate Floor Cleaner is a unique cleaner, specifically formulated and recommended, for use on the Bruce No-Wax Wood (Dura-Luster, Dura-Luster Plus or Permion Finish) & Bruce Laminate Floors. The cleaner lifts soil from the surface of the urethane floor finish without leaving a film or streaking on the floor.

Initial care for your Wood or Laminate Floor starts immediately following installation. Floor should be thoroughly swept and dust mopped to remove loose dirt and debris then cleaned with Bruce Hardwood & Laminate Floor Cleaner and a Bruce Swivel-Head Mop with Microfiber Cover. These items can be purchased as aMaintenance Kit then Cleaner and extra Mop Covers can be purchased separately as you need them. If installing the floor is a Do It Yourself (DIY) project, buy these cleaning products ahead of time (see coupon code for discount). If you’re having the floor professionally installed, check with your installer to see if they provide cleaner and microfiber mop –some will and some won’t. Be prepared with product to start cleaning your floor right away.

To clean the entire floor, simply spray Bruce Hardwood & Laminate Floor Cleaner directly onto the floor and use a Bruce Swivel-Head Mop with Microfiber Cover to work the cleaner into the floor to lift the dirt onto the mop head. Spray and mop one small area at a time.After cleaning, wash and hang-dry the mop cover so it’s ready for the next use.

Sweep frequently for your floor to look its best. This keeps small particles of dirt from building up underfoot. These particles of dirt act like sandpaper to a wood or laminate floor. They will, over time, cause small scratches in the floor’s surface and dull the finish.

Many customers ask if they can use a vacuum instead of sweeping to speed up cleaning. Sweeping is gentler on the floor so it is the preferred method however, if you feel you must use a vacuum, only use one with a soft brush or felt pad head. Don’t use a vacuum with beater bars, hard heads or damaged casters because it will scratch and dent your floor and your Warranty will be null &void.

Spot clean your floor as often as necessary and clean the whole floor periodically with Bruce Hardwood & Laminate Floor Cleaner.Never let cleaner (or any other liquid) puddle on the floor as this could damage the floor. Liquids are your floor’s enemy! For spot cleaning small areas, wipe up spill then apply the cleaner onto a clean cloth and use it to rub area until clean.

Rules of thumb:
• Don’t let spills sit on the floor. Wipe up promptly and clean area with Bruce Hardwood & Laminate Floor Cleaner and a soft cloth.
• Don’t allow heavy object to drag across the floor. If you need to move furniture or appliances, use EZ Move Felt-Bottom Slides that allow the heavy item to sit on a cushioned pad with felt on the bottom so you can easily slide the piece along the floor without damaging its surface.
• Put felt floor protectors on the bottom of chair legs and all other furniture that sits on your wood floor to prevent denting & scratching.
• Keep sharp items off your floor! Such as spiked or worn heels, heavy wooden soled shoes, toys with hard plastic wheels…you get the idea.
• Pets’ nails should be kept trimmed.

Once you use with this maintenance routine, you’ll find it’s easy and convenient.
To get you started, use coupon code ”FGBLOG” for a 10% discount when you order from www.1877floorguy.com.

What is Mannington Ultra Clean?
Mannington Ultra Clean is specially formulated for use on Mannington Wood Floors to clean without damaging. Mannington does not list the exact ingredients in their Ultra Clean Wood Floor Cleaner(typical for these types of cleaners) so look at the MSDS sheet that indicates this cleaner as water-based, non-toxic, environmentally friendly and safe for use around children and pets.

Why Use Mannington Ultra Clean?
Mannington Ultra Clean will not leave a film or residue on your Mannington wood floor, it is specially formulated for use on Mannington wood & finishes, it upholds the floor’s warranty if used correctly for regular maintenance. The warranty states, “The Limited Warranties do not cover conditions caused by improper use or maintenance, such as:…loss of gloss or build-up of dulling film due to lack of maintenance or improper maintenance…damage resulting from failure to follow floor care instructions…”

How to Use Mannington Ultra Clean?
1. Sweep or vacuum before mopping. Built-up grit can damage the finish and surface of hardwood. If using a vacuum the head must be a brush or felt type and wheels must be clean. Vacuum must be in good working condition. Do not use a vacuum with a beater bar head. *Best to use a broom.
2. Spray Mannington Ultra Clean on floor, one small area at a time, then wipe immediately with a clean microfiber mop or cloth. Floor will air dry in minutes. Do not rinse. Spraying too large of an area will result in cleaner drying before mopping causing you to re-spray area for mopping to be effective.
3. For spills- Remove spills promptly with a soft cloth then wipe area with a clean soft cloth dampened with Mannington Ultra Clean.

How to Buy Mannington Ultra Clean?
Mannington Ultra Clean comes in a 32 ounce trigger spray bottle. The newer bottles are white and shaped differently than the older clear bottles. You may still find both on the market. The cleaner can be purchased as part of the Ultra Clean Mop Kit which is great if you’re just getting started and need the mop, microfiber cover and cleaner. Microfiber Replacement Covers are provided by Bona and can be purchased indivually. It’s a good idea to keep two or more mop covers on hand so you’ve always got a clean one when you need it. If these microfiber covers are hand washed and air dry, they will last for years with normal use.

Additional Info for Good Looking Wood Floors…
Make certain furniture has floor protectors that are clean and operate properly. Change the furniture pads when they appear dirty to effectively protect your floor. This is mentioned in Mannington’s Wood Floor Warranty!
Never mop or flood your floor with water or other products. This can severely damage the flooring.
Do not use oil soaps, liquid or paste wax products or other household cleaners that contain lemon oil, tung oil or ammonia.
Keep pet’s nails trimmed and paws clean and free of dirt, gravel, grease, oil and stains.
Remove shoes with spiked, damaged or heavy heels before walking on the floor.

Pull back the old carpet in your home and, surprise… old wood floors! Condition is good overall but in need of cleaning. What’s the most cost effective way to get the floor looking good? How can residue, left by the carpet pad or backing, be removed? Is this a DIY project? Will messy sanding and finishing be required? Does a professional need to be hired?

All good questions! To determine your best action plan, you must know the type of finish that is on your wood floor. Though most wood floors installed prior to 1970 are finished with wax while most installed after that have been finished with urethane, this is a generalization so don’t rely on age alone to determine the type of finish. Here’s a simple test to conduct…
Put a drop of water on the floor and let it dry. If the spot dries into a white, pasty color you are dealing with a Wax finish on your floor. If the spot leaves just a watermark and does not discolor the wood then you are dealing with Urethane.

To decide if your floors need to be completely sanded and refinished or simply cleaned and polished, take a broad look at your floor. Do you see grey streaks in the wood? If you do, consider a sand & finish job done by a local professional. The wood gets its grey color where the finish has worn completely. Sanding is the only way to bring back the natural wood color in these areas. If you are pleased with the overall appearance of your floor except for the dull finish and carpet pad markings, then a cleaning & finishing is all it needs. Follow one of the following sets of instructions depending on the type of finish on your wood floor – wax or urethane. Both processes can be done as DIY projects with excellent results.

Waxed wood floors should be treated with a one-product process that waxes and cleans. Wood that has a light or natural finish will do well with “Bruce Lite ‘n’ Natural” Liquid Paste Wax with Cleaner – 32 oz. can.For a dark wood floor use “Bruce Dark ‘n’ Rich” Liquid Paste Wax with Cleaner – 32 oz. can.
To get started you’ll need to rent or purchase a buffer machine. Large, heavy weight buffing machines will produce a higher sheen than small lightweight machines so choose the buffer based on your desired results and your ability to maneuver this piece of equipment. Before getting started with the wax, sweep, vacuum or dust mop the floor to remove all loose dirt. Loose particles left on the floor will scratch the wood and become ground into the floor’s surface marring the results. Apply the Liquid Paste Wax with Cleaner and buff. When the job is complete be sure to allow enough drying time before walking on the floor. High humidity climates may require more drying time than standard. The surface should be dry, not tacky, when it’s ready for traffic. To maintain the waxed wood floor, sweep frequently with a soft bristle broom and wipe up spills immediately. Small soils can be cleaned using a Bruce Scrub Pad with a small amount of “Bruce Lite ‘n’ Natural” Liquid Paste Wax with Cleaner – 32 oz. can or “Bruce Dark ‘n’ Rich” Liquid Paste Wax with Cleaner – 32 oz. can then buff with a clean cloth. Repeat the waxing/buffing process every 6 months to a year. Never use water or water-based cleaners on a waxed wood floor because it will damage the finish.

Urethane wood floors require a completely different process. No machines required. Start with the Bona X Ultimate Hardwood Floor Care System & Refresher Kit. This kit contains refresher with applicator pad, spray cleaner and wood floor mop with covers. The directions on the box will take you through step by step. Thoroughly sweep the floor before getting started and use the water-based, non-toxic spray cleaner before applying Refresher. Apply spray cleaner to one small area, 4’x6’, at a time, mopping with the grain of the wood, applying pressure on the mop to remove stuck on dirt. If your floor feels sticky after mopping then you haven’t rubbed enough with the mop or you’ve sprayed too large an area and the cleaner dried before being mopped thoroughly. Just go over the area again to clean. Apply the Refresher the same way, one small area at a time and stay with the grain of the wood. Allow enough drying time after applying the Refresher, keeping in mind that more humid conditions may require longer than standard drying time.
To maintain your Urethane wood floors on a regular basis, use a water-based, non-toxic cleaner. Bona (New & Improved Professional Series) Hardwood Floor Cleaner (a 32 oz bottle is included in the Refresher Kit) or Basic Squeaky –Wood and Laminate Floor Cleaner will both do a great job. Each of these liquid cleaners is available in a range of sizes. It is convenient to have a 32 oz refillable spray bottle of the cleaner and economical to buy the gallon for refilling your spray bottle. You’ll need a wood floor mop with microfiber cover (Bona includes this in their Refresher Kit), available from both lines of product,Bona X Swedish Microfiber Mop Package or Basic Squeaky Clean Floor Care System.
Bona also has an easy Bona Hardwood Spray Floor Mop that has spray cleaner and mop all in one with refill cartridges that just pop into the mop. I use this in my home and love the convenience!
Wood Refresher can be used on your urethane wood floors every six months to a year depending on the amount of traffic your floor gets and how often you sweep and mop. When the finish starts to look dull, the refresher actually fills minor scratches and allows light to reflect on the floor as a flat surface again giving it a brighter appearance.

If your goal is to completely change the gloss or sheen on your urethane wood floor, such as matte to high-gloss, call a professional. The existing finish will need to be screened and coated to change the sheen level and this is not typically a DIY project.

Important Note for ALL types of wood floors: Protect your wood floor from dents and scratches created by furniture sitting or moving on the floor by applying Floor Protectors to the feet and base of all furniture.Equinox makes pads and glides in many shapes and sizes to fit all types of furniture.

To keep your Hardwood Floors looking great NEVER…
1. Sweep with a stiff bristled broom. Use only soft, fine bristle broom to avoid scratching the surface. Sweep often to keep dirt from being ground into the floor’s finish.
2. Use hard rubber brush or plastic vacuum attachments to clean your floor. Use only a soft brush attachment.
3. Let a wet spill sit for “a while”. Water is a wood floors worst enemy! Wipe up spills promptly and dry the area thoroughly.
4. Let too much time go between vacuuming area rugs or carpet runners. Frequent vacuuming prevents dirt from filtering down through the weave and scratching the floor beneath.
5. Allow anyone to wear spike high heel shoes, shoes with cleats or taps, heavy wooden heeled shoes or any “worn” shoes with exposed metal or sharp parts. These types of shoes can cause extensive damage!
6. Allow furniture to rest or drag directly on the floor without protectors on the feet or base. Use Floor Protectors & Glides on the feet and base of all furniture. Equinox pads & glides come in many shapes and sizes to fit all furniture and protect your floor from dents and scratches.
7. Use carpet runners or area rugs without a non-skid pad underneath.These types of rugs are great for minimizing wear and tear in high traffic areas but carpet backing is rough so always use a non-skid pad to protect the floor.