Wood Floor Quick Start: Do This, Not That!
- Daily: Dry sweep or vacuum on hard-floor setting (no beater bar).
- Weekly: Light damp mop with the right cleaner for your finish.
- Always: Use entrance mats and fit felt pads on furniture.
- Never: Use steam mops, bleach, vinegar, or saturate with water.
Oiled Wood Floor Care
Routine Cleaning
- Dry clean first: microfibre mop or soft brush to remove grit.
- Prepare solution: use a pH-neutral soap made for oiled floors as directed.
- Damp mop: wring well; the floor should dry within 1–2 minutes.
Periodic Care (6–12 months)
Refresh high-traffic areas with a maintenance oil to restore lustre and protection.
Lacquered Wood Floor Care
Routine Cleaning
- Vacuum on hard-floor setting (no rotating brush).
- Spray and mop: use a lacquer-safe wood floor cleaner.
Periodic Care
Lacquered floors generally last well in most properties and with good routine care, when micro scratches appear but before lacquer has worn through to bare wood, consider a professional recoat to extend life without full sanding.
Parquet & Patterned Floor Care
Follow the steps for your finish (oiled or lacquered).
Avoid dragging furniture across blocks and fit felt pads to chair legs.
Professional sanding/finishing is recommended for parquet to preserve pattern alignment and crisp edges.
Stone & Tiled Floor Care
Routine Cleaning
- Dust mop with a microfibre or vacuum to remove dry soils and grit.
- Dilute a neutral stone / tile cleaner as per the label and damp mop.
Sealing & Stain Resistance
Most natural stone benefits from sealing. If your floor darkens with water or marks easily, a fresh seal may be due.
Recommended:
Carpets & Rugs
Routine Cleaning
- Vacuum high-traffic areas 2–3 times per week.
- Treat spots promptly with a wool-safe, residue-free spotter, available direct from DAB Floor Care.
See our Carpet Cleaning service · Rug Cleaning (collection & return)
Protection & Prevention
- Entrance mats: one outside, one inside to trap grit and moisture.
- Felt pads: fit to chairs/tables; replace when worn.
- Indoor humidity: aim for 40–60% to minimise movement in wood.
- Plant pots: use saucers and check for trapped moisture.
Recommended:
Our Recommended Products
We use and trust the products below. Buying through these links helps support our free advice at no extra cost to you.
Bona Oiled Wood Floor Refresher
Refreshes protection and lustre in high-traffic areas.
Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. This does not affect the price you pay.
FAQs
Can I use a steam mop on wood floors?
No. Steam forces moisture into the timber and can damage the finish and joints.
What’s the best cleaner for my floor?
Use a product matched to your finish: oiled floor soap for oiled floors, lacquer-safe cleaner for lacquered finishes, neutral cleaner for stone/tile.
How often should I re-oil or re-coat?
Light domestic: oiled floors 12–24 months; lacquered floors 5+years. Busy homes/commercial spaces may need more frequent care. Read more about our maintenance screen & recoat for lacquered floors in our blog post
When should I call a professional?
Grey patches where finish has worn through, deep scratches, heavy staining, or if DIY cleaning leaves a sticky film.
Need Professional Floor Care?
If your floor needs a deeper clean, re-oil, or a protective re-coat, we can help. We offer virtually dust-free sanding, specialist stone cleaning and sealing, and low-moisture carpet cleaning.
Chat with us