Why is my wooden floor so dull looking?
A few years back you have invested all your savings in a beautiful natural looking wooden floor that has changed the way your home/business looked. It was radiant, clean, natural looking and easy to clean. But then things started going downhill month by month and now you are stuck with a sticky, dirty, greasy, patchy & dull looking wooden floor. What has happened? Why weren`t you told that this could happen? Here is a list of 7 reasons why your floor has changed.
Unsuitable wooden floors – How can a floor be unsuitable? Well, not all people are the same and not everybody is happy to put up with the work required to maintain and mind a very expensive wooden floor. Yes, it might look great, it might be manufactured from the fanciest type of wood and it could be sealed with the most natural sealer ever invented. But that does not mean that you will be able to keep it that way. A household with 2-3 small kids, a few pets and a lot of traffic, will require a heavy duty maintenance free floor. Kids are messy and pets are sloppy, so your wooden floor will require a lot of washing during the day. If your floor was sealed with an oil or a hard wax oil, cleaning it quickly with anything is not really a solution. Oiled floors require careful cleaning and gentle oiled floor cleaners. Your mop head that was used to also wash the kitchen floor & the bathroom floor will only make the mess worse and it will help dull up the floor. Maybe this type of wood floor would be ideal for you after the kids move out and you have more time to properly look after the floor? So while planning to invest in a new wooden floor, please consider your present situation and requirements. Go for a matt or a semi gloss water based floor lacquer that will enable you to quickly clean it and maintain it without spending a fortune.
Unsuitable cleaning products – how can someone use unsuitable cleaning products? You have used a product that clearly says that is suitable for wood floors as well? Well, imagine this. You have just bought your first fancy car. Time for a service has just arrived. Why don`t you change its engine oil with cooking oil? After all, an oil is an oil. Right? No way. While some universal floor cleaning products could mention wood as well, it does not mean that it is suitable to use on wood. It says that it can be used on wood as well. But the new water based floor lacquers and the new floor oils are manufactured from more eco-friendly materials unlike the old solvent based lacquers. Yes, a few years back a floor cleaner that was good for tiles, was good for wood as well. But the new water based floor sealers are much more sensitive to acidic cleaning products. In fairness, some universal floor cleaning products can provide spectacular results on wood but the damage it can also cause is not worth the risk. By using a high PH universal floor cleaner you could dull up the floor and burn down the sealer. The reaction might not happen on the spot, but over time, you will start noticing dull patches and some kind of residue on the floor after the floor has dried up.
Too much water – Even if water is not really compatible with wood, in small amounts and used with a semi wet mop head, it can actually be great for the wood floor. But some people use too much water at once and the mop head is soaked in a cleaning agent. By doing so you will leave puddles on the floor that will take a long time ro dry and it will create a patchy finish. The mop has to be washed in a bucket, then squeezed well to remove 80% of the liquid and only then used to wash the floor. A cleaning solution mixed well and used in conjunction with a clean mop head will clean the floor nicely and it will leave a streak free finish. Water can also cause your wooden floors to expand and move from their fixed position. These contracts and retracts will make your floor squeaky and noisy.
Undiluted cleaning products – Many people do buy proper wood floor cleaning products for oiled floors and varnished floors, but then they do not dilute the product correctly. On the label of any quality wood floor cleaner or wood floor maintainer you will find a clear description of the product and clear instructions about how to dilute the product and the dilution rate. Some people totally disregard the recommended dilution ratio and go way overboard with a dilution of 1 to 10 or less and then they end up with a cleaning solution so concentrated that it will make the wood floor sticky. A sticky wood floor will attract dust, hair and other types of residue. This can be another reason why your floors could look patchy and dull.
Steamers – Somewhere along the way someone thought that using 120 C steam on a wooden floor is a great idea! This is just mad. Heat and water, used together on a beautiful natural wood floor! The damage done by steamers is noticeable within a short period of time. We have assessed a number of brand new wooden floors that after only one quick wash have lost all their sheen and have transformed into a dull and patchy finish. Whatever you do, do not use a steamer on a wooden floor. It will affect the finish, it will soak the floor, it will expand the floor and it will even affect the protective insulation beneath the wood. You can use the steamer on cheap tiles only.
Refreshing – While most wooden floors come ready sealed with a quality coat of lacquer or some kind of floor oil, over a number of years this can wear off in areas where there is more than usual traffic. Halls, kitchens & living room floors are likely to be affected first. This is an area where most people fail. Oiled wooden floors have to be refreshed at least once per year but twice per year is even better. Lacquered wooden floors do not require refreshing every year, but once in a while, a new coat of sealer can restore the lost gloss and it can repair scratches and imperfections. The oiled floors wear off much quicker and it requires much more care. The product used to seal and waterproof the wood will be washed away when the floor is being cleaned, it will evaporate on its own from temperature changes & it will dullen up. A quick coat of refresher will rebuild the protective coat for up to 12 months (depending on traffic). A varnished wooden floor is likely to scratch and get damaged from daily use and traffic. A coat or two of wood floor polish or wood floor refresher will repair those scratches and will prevent the water from reaching the bare wood. Wooden floors that are neglected and not refreshed regularly are likely to look dull, water damaged, patchy and very old. This can be another reason why your wooden floor looks patchy & tired.
Cleaners V Maintainers – Most people do not understand the difference between the cleaners and the maintainers. By using a strong cleaning product too often, you can negatively affect the sheen of the wood. A wood floor cleaner is an active cleaning product, safe to use on wood, but suitable for heavy duty wood floor cleaning projects. Many people use heavy duty wood floor cleaners to remove residue after renovations, or deep clean the wood after a party, or a proper heavy duty cleaning before the floor is getting sealed. So the heavy duty wood floor cleaners are active and alkaline. Used for once off cleaning projects, they are great. But used every day to wash the same floor, it can be a bit too much and over time it can dull the sheen. Maintainers are usually used to maintain a clean and spotless floor. If you just had your floor refinished and if you plan to keep it that way for a long period, you should be using a wood floor maintainer instead of a wood floor cleaner. A maintainer is usually a neutral PH cleaner with little cleaning power. But because the floor is already in good shape, you do not need to use strong cleaning products. So the maintainer will maintain the wood the way it is and prevent dirt from building up. Using a low PH maintainer on a very dirty wooden floor is pretty much useless. Also, using a strong wood floor cleaner daily on a spotless floor, it can do more harm than good. Some maintainers are ready to use, already diluted while others require dilution. A wooden floor can be really affected by over cleaning with a strong wood floor cleaner. This can be another reason for your dull and patchy floors.
Our floor cleaning company specializes in deep wood floor cleaning services, stain removal and refreshing. Floor Cleaning Dublin is happy to refresh oiled floors and lacquered wooden floors. Our prices are affordable and our work quality is second to none. We are happy to offer advice and free estimates.
Below, we will list a number of wood floor cleaning products suitable for daily cleaning and heavy duty wood floor cleaning. We will also list a number of refreshers and maintainers that will enable you to maintain your wooden floors in top notch condition.
Wood Floor Cleaners – It is nearly impossible for a wood floor owner to know everything about all the cleaning products available. Most brands of wood care products are promoting their own products as the best, but in fact, while some wood care products are amazing, others are useless. So we have put up a list of wood floor cleaning products that we think work the best and provide the best value for money.
Bona Wood Floor Spray Mop – This is a professional wood floor cleaner and maintainer. The kit contains a flat mopping system and 1 L of the world famous Bona Wood Floor Cleaner. This is a daily maintenance product and not suitable for heavy duty wood floor cleaning projects. It can be used on all types of varnished, lacquered and polished wood floors. Suitable for residential and light commercial wood floor cleaning products. The cartridge can be easily refilled. This is the most efficient and versatile wood floor spray mop out there. The cleaning product that comes with this flat mopping system contains no water, so it is impossible to damage your floors.
Bona Oiled Floor Spray Mop – A fine quality oiled floor cleaner and oiled floor maintainer. The product is suitable for daily cleaning and daily maintenance of all kinds of oiled or waxed floors. The kit contains everything you need to safely clean and maintain your oiled floors. The cleaning product that comes with this kit is 100% safe and it will create a beautiful natural sheen on your oiled floor. The new Bona Oiled Floor Spray Mop is not suitable for heavy duty oiled floor cleaning or for large commercial floors. The main reason for dull looking oiled floors is the maintenance. By using this amazing spray mop you are guaranteed to have healthy looking floors for long periods of time.
Bona Cleaner – This is a heavy duty alkaline wood floor cleaner suitable for deep cleaning projects and surface degreasing. The product has to be diluted 1 to 100 in warm water and used to remove grime, grease, food residue, construction residue, etc. The product will safely remove all types of dirt without affecting the surface. While the new Bona Cleaner is great for heavy duty wood floor cleaning projects, it is not recommended for daily cleaning projects. If the wood floor looks great, use a low PH wood floor maintainer. Deep clean your wood floor with Bona Cleaner once per month & maintain your wooden floors with a softer wood floor cleaner daily. The good thing about Bona Cleaner is the fact that the product is compatible with oiled and varnished wooden floors.
Carver Deter Parquet – A professional quality wood floor cleaner and wood floor maintainer compatible with lacquered and oiled wooden floors. The product has a bit of both worlds, it is slightly stronger than a maintainer but not as strong as a heavy duty wood floor cleaner. The new Carver Deter Parquet is highly concentrated and it has to be diluted in warm water. Dilute 1 to 100 in warm water and wash the floor, moving along with the fiber of the wood. Remember, the mop head has to be semi wet not soaked. The product has no perfume and it is 100% safe for asthmatics, pets & kids. It will instantly remove black marks, food residue, blood, bad odours & grime. A product highly recommended for large commercial floor cleaning and maintenance.
Carver Net Parquet – This a highly concentrated stain remover from Carver. While most wood floor cleaners will remove most types of stains, some heavy duty stains cannot be removed that easily. If you just had work done in your home and there is glue residue all over the floor or silicone residue all over the place, you will find that your heavy duty floor cleaner cannot remove it in full. But the new Carver Net Parquet will sort it out in no time. This is a unique product in its own class. Not suitable for daily cleaning and maintenance. Use it as a heavy duty stain remover.
Carver Deterol Oiled Floor Cleaner – While some people love to use ready to use oiled floor cleaners, others much prefer to use highly concentrated oiled floor cleaners. It lasts longer and it cleans better. For those that love a great oiled floor cleaner, highly cost effective and suitable for washing all types of oiled & waxed wooden floors, we can highly recommend the new Carver Deterol Oiled Floor Cleaner. The product works fast, it has no perfume and it enhances the look of your oiled floors. By using the new Carver Deterol Oiled Floor Cleaner on a daily basis, you increase the periods between the refreshing and you nourish your oiled floors. One of the cheapest and one of the most effective oiled floor cleaners and maintainers out there.
Carver Dergos – This product combines two products in one. Used with a lower dilution, it is a great oiled floor cleaner and oiled floor maintainer. Used undiluted, it is 100% a refresher. Some people love the idea of refreshing their oiled floors every week so they use the new Carver Dergos to do so. After every wash, the floor will look spotless, parch free and very natural. The new Carver Dergos is manufactured from a fine quality mixture of organic oil with enhancers. The new Carver Dergos is available in a clear finish for most floors and in a white finish for whitish oiled floors. 1 bottle should last for very long periods of time.
Tover Pulito Wood Floor Cleaner – A highly concentrated wood floor cleaner and wood floor maintainer from Tover. The product is PH neutral and compatible with all lacquered or varnished wooden floors. It will safely remove dirt residue and it will help maintain the wood in a spotless condition. The new Tover Pulito Wood Floor Cleaner is highly recommended for residential & light commercial wood floor cleaning projects. To be diluted 1 to 50 in warm water and used with a semi wet mop head. One of the cheapest professional wood floor cleaners in Ireland.
Tover Deteroil Oiled Floor Cleaner – One of Europe’s most widely used and highly recommended oiled floor cleaners and oiled floor maintainers. The product is available in a clear and a white finish. Use the new Tover Deteroil Oiled Floor Cleaner to clean and maintain prestigious oiled floors sealed with floor oil or some kind of hard wax oil. The product is highly concentrated and it contains a pleasant fragrance. Maintain your oiled floors in top notch condition with the amazing Tover Deteroil Oiled Floor Cleaner. Please respect the dilution rate and use the product with a semi wet mop head.
Faber Greentech Wood Floor Cleaner – The best eco wood floor cleaning detergent available. The new Faber Greentech Wood Floor Cleaner is manufactured from the finest quality renewable materials and it is suitable for daily cleaning and maintenance of all varnished and oiled floors. The new Faber Greentech Wood Floor Cleaner is especially suitable for people that have pets. It cleans and deodorizes the surface in one quick go. To be diluted in warm water and used with a semi wet mop. One of the finest quality wood floor cleaners available in the EU.
Bona Cleaner For Oiled Floors – A ready to use oiled floor cleaner and oiled floor maintainer. Simplicity at its best. The product is 100% residue free, perfume free and suitable for cleaning all types of oiled floors. It will leave the floor beautifully clean and natural looking without negatively affecting the finish. The new Bona Cleaner For Oiled Floors is available in 1 L spray bottle, in a cartridge and in 2.5L refill. Use the new Bona Cleaner For Oiled Floors for daily cleaning and maintenance of residential & commercial floors. Remember, Bona Cleaner For Oiled Floors is already diluted so no dilution is required. Just spray it all over the floor and use a flat mopping system to scrub the surface.
Refreshers – even the finest quality hard wax oil or floor lacquer will wear off eventually. But you can prolong the life expectancy of your wooden floor by refreshing the sealer. A refresher will top up the lost sealer and it will rebuild the full protection on your wooden floor. By refreshing once in a while, you can extend your floors life expectancy by up to 5 years and you can maintain your wooden floors in tip top condition. There are refreshers and maintainers for oiled floors & for varnished floors. Make sure not to mix it up. A great maintenance oil for an oiled floor is 100% useless on a varnished floor and the other way around.
Oiled Floor Maintainers & Refreshers :
Carver Carsol Oiled Floor Maintainer – The most innovative, the most advanced and the best looking maintenance oil available in Ireland. The product is thick and it covers a large area. It will penetrate in full and it will restore the lost sheen in a matter of minutes. The new Carver Carsol Oiled Floor Maintainer is the ideal maintenance oil for high traffic oiled floors & commercial floors. After one quick treatment the floor looks natural and healthy. We cannot recommend this product enough. It covers about 50 sq meters per 1 L and it does not require training to be applied. If your oiled floor looks dry and patchy, sort it out with 1 coat of the new Carver Carsol Oiled Floor Maintainer .
Tover Rinovoil Oiled Floor Maintainer – This a professional oiled floor maintainer and oiled floor refresher that will restore badly worn oiled floors. The product penetrates deep and it will refresh the surface. The amazing Tover Rinovoil Oiled Floor Maintainer is compatible with all oiled & waxed wooden floors. To be applied in 1-2 coats with a flat mop over a clean & dry surface. The new Tover Rinovoil Oiled Floor Maintainer is fume free and it will fully dry in a matter of hours.
Bona Spray Oil Refresher – A quick drying waterborne oiled floor refresher and dull patch restorer from Bona. This product is 100% fume free, safe and suitable for residential use only. Just spray the product all over the floor and level it up with a flat mop head. You can apply up to 3 coats of refresher at once. It dries fast, it looks natural and it provides up to 6 months of protection even on wooden floors with high traffic.
Varnished Floor Maintainers & Polishes:
Carver Pronto Floor Polish – The ideal water based wood floor polish for residential and commercial floors. The product is fume free, fast drying and it will overcoat your wooden floor with a protective layer of sealer. All the traffic and all the use will happen on the sealer while the wood will be left untouched. The new Carver Pronto Floor Polish is available in 1 L bottle and it can be used as a sealer over water based and solvent based lacquers. It will dry in a cool semi gloss finish.
Bona Hardwood Floor Polish – One of the most popular water based wood floor polishes and wood floor protectors in the world. A highly effective sealer available in a matt and gloss finish. To be applied with a flat mop over a clean and dry surface. It will help protect the floor and it will facilitate easy maintenance.
Bona Hardwood Refresher – A quick drying hardwood refresher from Bona. The product can be used as a restorer over dull and patchy looking wooden floors. It will rebuild lost gloss and it will increase the protection. Easy to apply, natural looking & very durable as well.
Bona Freshen Up – Polyurethane water based refresher suitable for fully restoring lacquered and varnished floors. The product is suitable for heavy duty commercial traffic. Fume free, eco friendly and easy to apply. Use the new Bona Freshen Up over a clean and dry floor surface. A high gloss refresher from Bona.
Of course, there are many other cleaners and refreshers out there but some are not as easy to apply as others, some are too heavy duty, some are too expensive while some require proper tools and equipment to use it.
Call Floor Cleaning Dublin today and book our professional wood floor cleaning services. Deal with a well established wood care company that understands new technologies and uses the most advanced techniques and sealers. We will restore your wooden floors to a like new condition.
