A varnished wood floor is a floor that has received several coats of varnish to protect the wood against scratches and wear caused by daily foot traffic.
The protective layer also gives the wood floor a beautiful finish (glossy, matte, or satin) while preserving its natural grain. A varnished wood floor must be properly maintained to keep the protective layer and its aesthetic appearance in good condition.
As a specialist in wood varnishing solutions, Anova Bois shares here some essential rules for maintaining and cleaning varnished wood floors.
Daily Maintenance of Varnished Wood Floors
Once the varnish has been applied, you generally need to wait 48 to 72 hours before placing your furniture. You should also wait 7 to 10 days before moistening the floor or placing rugs. This is the average time for the varnish to fully cure and for the drying process to be complete.
For daily maintenance, dusting with a microfiber mop or a vacuum cleaner is usually sufficient. Cleaning your varnished wood floor should always be done following the wood grain. After dusting, you can use a mop slightly dampened with water. To maintain your varnished floor, avoid using abrasive sponges or cloths. Wet cleaning with large amounts of water is not recommended on varnished wood floors. This can prematurely damage the floor's protection and may cause the wood to warp. To avoid clogging or dulling the varnish, do not use wax or oil.
The Right Products to Maintain a Varnished Wood Floor
After applying a varnish for wood floors, to keep this wooden floor covering in excellent condition over a long period, it is recommended to use gentle cleaners for maintenance.
This can be a cleaning product free of bleach, ammonia, or any other harsh chemical. Anovabois' Black Soap with linseed oil is perfectly suitable. This floor cleaner effectively removes grease, food stains, and other household marks that clear water cannot eliminate.
Homemade cleaning products such as white vinegar or lemon juice should be avoided. To complete the maintenance of your varnished floor, you can apply a restorer on the previously dusted and cleaned surface. This type of floor restorer removes scratches and applies a satin-finish varnish layer.
Treating Common Stains and Damage
When water sits for too long on part of your varnished wood floor, it can cause an unsightly whitish stain.
It is recommended to wait until the surface is completely dry before taking any action.
If a whitish mark remains on the varnished floor, you can perform a light sanding of the area and apply a thin layer of varnish. To remove a wine or oil stain on the varnished floor, a bit of dish soap or black soap on a damp sponge should be enough.
Rub in a circular motion, then wipe. Finish cleaning by rubbing again with a damp cloth.
How to Prevent Scratches and Wear on a Varnished Wood Floor?
- To reduce damage from daily foot traffic, you can place a rug on the floor in some living areas.
- Felt pads should be placed under the furniture legs.
- To avoid marks on your varnished wood floor, always lift the furniture instead of dragging it when moving it.
- Avoid walking too often with wet feet on the varnished wood surface. For example, place an absorbent cotton mat at each entrance of the house and at the exit of your bathroom. The mat also helps remove dirt, sand, and gravel from shoe soles, which can cause scratches on the varnished wood floor.
When and How to Reapply Varnish on a Wood Floor?
With proper maintenance, the varnish on your wood floor can last 5 to 10 years depending on the level of use. If after several years, scratches appear more easily on the wood surface or if it becomes harder to remove dirt from the floor, a new varnishing is necessary. When the protective finish starts to lose its shine, it's time to restore the finish of your wood floor. The main steps of this renovation are:
- sanding or light scuffing of the wood floor,
- cleaning the floor with a stripping product if necessary,
- thorough dust removal from the surface,
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application of the new varnish on the floor.
Feel free to contact our team to get the best price and the most effective solutions to varnish a wood floor, maintain, or renovate your wood floors.