What do we do AFTER our hardwood floors are refinished?

🏡 How to Protect Your Hardwood Floors (And Keep Them Looking Amazing)

We want you to get the absolute most out of your investment, so here are some simple, practical ways to keep your wood floors looking incredible for years to come.

If we’re just leaving your home—or finishing up your project over the next couple days—here’s what you need to know:

🚶‍♂️ When Can You Use the Floors?

• 3 hours after final coat: You can walk on the floors

  
  

  (Clean, dry socks or slippers only)

• First few days: Avoid shoes and bare feet

  
  

  (Oils from your skin can affect the finish before it fully cures)

🛋️ Moving Furniture Back

• After 24 hours: You can move furniture back

• Important:

  
  

  👉 Always lift and place — never drag or slide

At 24 hours, your floors are about 90% cured.

🧺 Area Rugs

• Wait 3 days before placing rugs

Putting rugs down too soon can cause a “picture frame” effect, where the finish cures unevenly.

After 3 days, your floors are fully cured (100%).

🌡️ Temperature & Humidity (This Is HUGE)

Your floors are most stable when your home is kept at:

• 60–80°F

• 30–50% relative humidity

Maintaining this helps prevent:

• Gaps between boards

• Cupping (edges raised)

• Crowning (center raised)

Wood is hygroscopic, meaning it absorbs and releases moisture based on its environment.

👉 A system like Aprilaire can make a big difference—but don’t stress if you don’t have one. Many older Cleveland homes don’t.

👟 Shoes Off = Floors Last Longer

Shoes bring in:

• Dirt

• Small stones

• Salt (especially in winter)

All of these will scratch and wear down your floors over time.

👉 Best practice:

• Take shoes off

• Sweep regularly

🧹 Cleaning Routine

• Vacuum often

• Use mats at all entrances to trap debris before it hits your floors

🚫 What NOT to Do

❌ No Wet Mopping or Steam Mops

These force water into the wood, which can cause:

• Dull finish

• Shortened floor life

• Cupping or crowning

❌ Avoid “Polish” Cleaners

Products like:

• Orange Glo

• Bona Polish

can:

• Leave wax or silicone buildup

• Make future maintenance harder

• Create sticky floors that attract dirt

🪑 Protect from Furniture Damage

• Use felt pads (not hard plastic)

• We prefer hammer-in felt pads over adhesive ones—they last longer and stay in place

💧 Spills: Act Fast

Water and wood don’t mix.

👉 Clean up spills immediately to prevent:

• Staining

• Swelling

• Long-term damage

👠 High Heels = High Damage

High heels can exert up to 2,000 lbs per square inch.

👉 Even on the hardest wood floors, this can cause dents.

😅 Feeling Overwhelmed?

Don’t be.

Live your life.

All wood floors will:

• Scratch

• Dent

• Show wear over time

That’s normal.

🔄 The Good News: Wood Floors Are Renewable

You’ve got options:

• Every few years:

  
  

  👉 Screen & Recoat

  
  

  (Removes surface scratches and refreshes the finish)

• If worn too far:

  
  

  👉 Full sanding & refinishing

  
  

  (Back to like-new condition)

That’s the beauty of hardwood floors—they can be brought back to life again and again.

📞 Need Help Maintaining Your Floors?

We’re always here to help guide you—whether it’s routine maintenance or bringing your floors back to life. 216.695.5660