What is the best way to take care of oak floors?

Question

I have always had carpeting in my house. We moved to a house that has beautiful old oak floors and I need information on how to take good care of them. Please give me serious answers.

Answer 1

From How to Care for Hard Wood Floors
http://www.thehome.com/harfloor.html

Solid hardwood floors are among the easiest to keep clean. Protect their warmth and character with simple, everyday cleaning techniques. It's important to know how to prevent damage to your solid hardwood floors.

PREVENTION
Dirt, grit and sand are your hardwood floors worst enemies. They act like sandpaper on the finish, causing scratches, dents and dulling. Place floor mats at entrances to trap dirt and prevent damage.
WATER AND OTHER SPILLS
Standing water can warp a poorly finished hardwood floor and can damage the finish. Simply wipe up all spills as they happen.
HARD CLEANERS
Avoid oil soaps. They can build up and create problems when it's time to put a maintenance coat on the floor. Instead, neutral pH cleaners made specifically for wood floors are recommended.
FURNITURE
Lift the furniture to move it --- avoid dragging. Felt contacts under the legs will help prevent scratches.
DENTS
Vacuum with a brush attachment -- don't use vacuums with beater bars.
SUN
Direct sun can discolor your hardwood floor. Close curtains and blinds or add sheer drapes to protect from the sun's intense UV rays.
SWEEP
Brooms with fine, exploded ends trap dust and grit effectively.
VACUUM
Canister vacuums with special bare floor attachments are the surest way to get rid of all the dirt and dust.
DUST MOP
Use a good dust mop --- one with a 12- to 18- inch cotton head ---- and a special dust mop treatment. Spray the treatment onto the mop head 12 to 24 hours before dust mopping.

Answer 2

Oak Floor Care

Answer 3

try Murphy's Oil Soap.. Its best on old wood.. Not only does it clean, but it seals the floor like wax.. You will notice the difference after the first application; however it gets better with repeated use. Use it once a week for a couple of months and then you can slack off to once a month applications. Stay away from common floor cleaners like ****-n span and bleach. Use oil based cleaners to protect the wood pine sol is for pine; It has a great scent but it will lighten the floors (probably why you have light areas) stick to Murphy's' its for oak.

Answer 4

Most times you wash with a mild soapy solution.
Once every 3 months you can use mop and glow.
You don't want to use chemicals all the time.
This can break down the integrity of the floor finish. Therefore your floors will start to scratch easily , become murky and lose their lustre.

Answer 5

Damp mop and Murphy's oil soap. Cleans great, doesn't hurt the floor at all. Leaves fresh clean smell. Can be used on just about ALL flooring types without damage.

Answer 6

You need to maintain a good wax finish on it. Don't allow water to sit on it. If the old finish has been abused, then you may have to sand it down to bare wood and refinish it. You can rent big floor sanders for this purpose.They make wooden floor waxes that you periodically apply and buff out. It is well worth the effort.

Answer 7

Mop them with Murphy's Oil Soap

Answer 8

Murphy's oil soap. Just follow directions and use a dust mop between cleanings.

Answer 9

go to home depot and ask them. i think you could use some paint on the floors like an indoor glaze covering. that may provide some protection

Answer 10

Do not use any water on them. just wax or polish, protector pads under legs, soft shoes, and rugs with rubber backing.