Position area rugs or mats in high-traffic areas, entryways, and beneath furniture to provide extra protection for your engineered hardwood flooring. These rugs can help capture spills, dirt, and debris, reducing the risk of water damage and scratches.
Most engineered hardwood often comes pre-finished and does not need to be sealed. However, if you would like to add an extra layer of protection from water leaks and spills, you can add a seal to engineered wood. Sealing your floor will keep the floors intact for longer.
The two main finish options for engineered wood flooring, oil and lacquer, influence its water-resistance. Oil finishes absorb into the wood, while lacquer finishes create a dense, water-resistant layer on the surface. Additional use of waterproofing polyurethane or resin can further enhance the water-resistance.
Swelling and Expansion: When engineered wood flooring absorbs moisture, it can swell and expand. The moisture can penetrate the wood fibers, causing them to absorb water and increase in size. This swelling can lead to buckling, warping, or cupping of the flooring, resulting in uneven and unsightly surfaces.
Yes. It is safe for engineered hardwood and natural hardwood. There is a woodfloor variant as well which you may find has more utility for you.
The best thing to clean engineered hardwood floors is a microfiber mop or a soft-bristle broom. These tools are gentle on the surface. They effectively remove dust and dirt without scratching.
Yes, Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner is recommended for use on engineered hardwood floors, as well as all unwaxed, unoiled, polyurethane finished wood floors.
Damp mop periodically: Depending on the level of activity and soil accumulation, damp mop the floors with a well-wrung, slightly dampened microfiber mop or cloth every few weeks or as needed. Use a manufacturer-recommended hardwood floor cleaner or a mild solution of water and pH-neutral cleaner.
Finishing and sealants
The finish applied to engineered hardwood serves as a protective barrier against moisture. High-quality finishes, such as aluminum oxide or polyurethane, offer excellent water resistance.
Plank warping, buckling, or swelling are clear physical signs that moisture has infiltrated your engineered hardwood floors, creating conditions conducive to mold growth.
Both materials show good resistance to scratches and impacts. Vinyl flooring is more water-resistant and suitable for wet areas, while engineered wood flooring offers great stability and can be sanded to maintain its appearance over time.
Use a Water Vacuum
A water vacuum is a great way to remove water from your wood floors. It works by sucking up all of the water in the area where it is placed.
This construction provides greater stability and resistance to warping compared to solid hardwood. The waterproofing process for engineered hardwood involves applying a waterproof coating to both the veneer and the core layers.
The typical lifespan of engineered hardwood flooring ranges from 20 to 30 years or more, depending on factors such as the quality of materials, installation process, maintenance routines, and environmental conditions. Suppose you take good care of high-quality engineered hardwood floors with thicker wear layers.
How Long Does It Take Water to Damage Wood Floor? Water can soak into hardwood flooring and damage it within an hour if not attended to immediately. The longer any amount of water sits on wood floor, the worse the damage will be.
Your urethane-coated engineered hardwood floor is very easy to maintain. Use a quality wood flooring cleaner, such as those manufactured by Bona and a specialty cloth flooring mop available from flooring retailers.
Laminate's sturdy, scratch-resistant wear layer makes this floor strong in the durability category. Laminate is also becoming more resistant to moisture. Meanwhile, engineered hardwood is a bit more vulnerable to wear and tear since it has a real wood veneer.
Damp Cleaning Guidelines:
Damp cleaning is recommended using a Swiffer wet jet system or a Bona moistened cleaner pad (not spray on the floor). The moistened pad should be pH 7 neutral. Avoid using Swiffer pre-treated moistened pads and other cleaners with non-neutral pH levels.
They had me at 'cordless'! The BONA spray is super effective and a safe way to clean engineered wood floors (and is great for solid hardwood too)!
Don't use Murphy's Oil Soap
The oil soap can penetrate into the wood, and when you have to have them refinished, they have to be sanded down past the oil so the new finish will adhere. Murphy's Oil Soap also reacts with the finish and softens it so it becomes dull over time.
Instructions for How To Clean Engineered Hardwood Floors:
Prior to mopping, vacuum your floors to remove dirt, debris and dust first. Pour in a splash of dishwashing soap into the spray bottle (about 1/4 teaspoon). Fill up spray bottle with lukewarm or hot water.
Suitable for Hardwood Floors: Bona is often recommended for hardwood floors, as it's gentle on the finish while still providing effective cleaning.