Time to clean the floors - DIY Chatroom

gregdonovan · 07-02-2009, 02:04 PM

our new (built in 1917) house has very old maple hardwood flooring that is in dire need of some TLC. first i want to clean it to see just what we have to work with.

since murphy's seems to not be in favor for a proper cleaning what should i do?

will mineral spirits damage the finish at all or leave it dull?

i see that some have recomended a non amonia window/mutli-surface cleaner. will that dull the finish?

do i need to wax the wood floor afterwards?

man i love the internet. one person says Murphy's sucks for cleaning and another says it is great. one says no water and another says only water. grrr.

kanneii · 07-02-2009, 02:32 PM

Nonn ammonia window/mutli-surface cleaner and than wax the wood floor afterward...and FYI Murphy's not bad anyway, you can try that out as well.

_________
Hailo Bins

gregdonovan · 07-02-2009, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrueHardwoods

First you need to find out if the floor is finished with urethane or wax. IF urethane clean with Bona if it is finished with wax use Murphy's oil. Never put Murphy's on a prefinished urethane floor.

True Hardwoods

and how do i determine if it is finished with wax? this is my first home and my first time dealing with hardwood flooring.

Bud Cline · 07-03-2009, 12:46 AM

Go to the Murphy's website and see what they say there. SOMEONE is going to be surprised.

Has the floor been stained?

gregdonovan · 07-03-2009, 02:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bud Cline

Go to the Murphy's website and see what they say there. SOMEONE is going to be surprised.

Has the floor been stained?

here is the floor in question:

there is another room that the previous owner refinished and the floor is MUCH lighter. no pics of that room right now.

someone tried to refinish this floor once upon a time it seems and there are deep power sander marks all over the dining room where i am standing. i will try to get some more pics tomorrow.

gregdonovan · 07-04-2009, 12:39 AM

what is a the best way to determine if my floor is finished with urethane or waxed?