Hardwood Floor
Maintenance Plan

First 24 Hours After Refinishing

Stay off the floors completely. Finish is curing foot traffic will leave permanent marks. Keep pets off. Ensure good ventilation to help solvents off-gas. Do not replace furniture.

48 Hours Light Use Only

Light foot traffic is OK with socks no shoes. You can begin carefully replacing lightweight furniture using felt pads. Avoid sliding anything across the floor. Keep area rugs off for now.

7 Days Normal Use Resumes

All furniture can be placed. Area rugs are OK. Begin regular sweeping with a soft-bristle broom or dust mop. First damp mopping with Bona Hardwood Cleaner is now safe. Avoid excessive water.

Daily Routine

Sweep or dry-mop to remove grit and dust. Sand and grit are the #1 cause of finish wear removing them daily makes a significant difference over years. Wipe up any spills immediately.

Weekly Cleaning

Damp mop with Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner. Use a Bona microfiber mop not a sponge mop. The floor should be dry within minutes. Never let water pool on the surface.

Every 1–2 Years Polish & Refresh

Apply Bona Polish or Refresher to restore sheen and add a fresh layer of surface protection. This step extends the time between full refinishing cycles think of it as a tune-up for your floors.

Every 5–8 Years Screen & Recoat

A screen-and-recoat lightly abrades the top finish layer and applies fresh polyurethane. It restores the finish without full sanding. Less disruptive and less expensive than a full refinish ideal if the wood hasn't been scratched through to bare wood.

Every 10+ Years Full Sand & Refinish

When the finish is worn through or the wood shows deep scratches and stains, a full sand-and-refinish is needed. Most solid hardwood floors can be sanded 5–7 times over their lifetime which means a properly maintained floor can last 100+ years.