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From: Raine
Date: 07-14-2003, 04:20 PM (1 of 9)
We are in the process of redecorating my daughter's room. It's now painted purple with a pink pearlescent paint on the ceiling.  (By the way, if you ever want to use this paint from Sears, I have a lot of advice.)We are also tearing out her carpet because there is hardwood floor. Any advice on cleaning the hardwood floor? Because of her age, we don't want to re-surface it. I've tried Murphy's oil soap before, and was not impressed. Any advice??? Thanks. L |
User: Raine
Member since: 04-19-2000 Total posts: 259 
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From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 07-14-2003, 06:27 PM (2 of 9)
Its according to how old the floor is, and what it was finished with originally... If it has the "bowling alley finish" (polyurethane) then you probably cannot do much damage using the wrong thing to clean with.. But if its older and the more traditional Varnish finish, then you can mar the finish with the wrong cleaning method..You didn't say what it looked like.. If the wood is stained under the finish, you may have no choice except to sand and refinish..
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022 
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From: stitchmd
Date: 07-14-2003, 06:28 PM (3 of 9)
| It's a lot of work. Turpentine rubbed in with super fine steel wool to clean it. Then a couple of coats of paste wax. The room will need to be well aired out before she moves in. A lot depends on how well sealed and/or finished the wood is. |
User: stitchmd
Member since: 02-25-2003 Total posts: 226 |
From: Raine
Date: 07-14-2003, 07:36 PM (4 of 9)
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The house was built in 1963. We moved in in 1988, and there was carpet on the floor at that time. I would imagine the floor was varnished. It doesn't look too bad. There are a few paint splotches (why don't people use drop cloths???), but they come up when I pick at them with my fingernails. Don't ya just love home improvement???
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User: Raine
Member since: 04-19-2000 Total posts: 259
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From: sewingrandma
Date: 07-14-2003, 08:29 PM (5 of 9)
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We moved into a house that was built in the '50s. Hardwood floors thru out. They had an area rug in the living room that let sand sift thru it to the floor. Most of the original finish was worn off. We like the worn appearance of the floor. It goes along with the country look of the rest of the house. When it needs to be cleaned, as in washed, I just damp mop it. Mop is just barely damp, just enough to get up the dirt and spots. I know, we aren't supposed to use water on hardwood floors, but I figure I can't do anymore damage than the sand did over the years. Maybe one day we'll have it refinished.
Brockie
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User: sewingrandma
Member since: 03-06-2003 Total posts: 432 |
From: Chrysantha
Date: 07-14-2003, 09:03 PM (6 of 9)
 when I was a kid ( and yes I was one ) my mothers 'thing' was to make me clean the wood floors in the WHOLE house. I got to use floor stripper with a scratch pad and lots of water. (and my poor knees and elbows). Then after the floor dried...I got to 'refinish' it with a few coats of wax/polish. (in liquid form) The floors were always slick and beautiful......yes I do love wood floors, but I would never torture anyone (especially myself again) by stripping and waxing/polishing. I'd hire someone to do it and make sure they do it right....or else get the 'floating fake wood' flooring....it's easy to clean and looks pretty darn good ! Chrys
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User: Chrysantha
Member since: 09-06-2002 Total posts: 2414 
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From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 07-15-2003, 08:46 PM (7 of 9)
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Raine, My house was built in 1967 and it has bowling alley finish (polyurethane).. they still look great.. Never been waxed or mopped.. Just swept and vacuumed, and spills wiped up as quick as they happened.. A couple of times I had to use a little bit of Murphy's Oil Soap and elbow grease for a sticky spot of some sort. I looooooooove my hardwood floors.....
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022
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From: Raine
Date: 07-16-2003, 11:11 AM (8 of 9)
| Yes, she seems excited about it, too. It's really a lovely floor. I bought some Minwax cleaner for hardwood floors, so hopefully it will work. Thanks. |
User: Raine
Member since: 04-19-2000 Total posts: 259
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From: Bama
Date: 07-16-2003, 11:54 AM (9 of 9)
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Raine, I haven't tried the Minwax cleaner. Let us know how it works. I usually just damp mop our hardwood floors about once a week, with just plain water. I sweep them with a large dust mop first. With my kids, I usually have to sweep them every day.  Sometimes after we've had lots of company and dirty shoes tracked through, I'll have to use a floor cleaner. I like Orange Glo. I wanted to mention about the Swiffer Wet Jet. My sil has one and loves it. I bought one and HATE it. It left streaks everywhere. Maybe because we have a polyurethene finish. Her floors are older and don't shine like ours. Maybe that's why she doesn't get streaks. I don't know what the finish on hers could be. I found a mop that has a rectangle base that a terry cloth fabric with elastic edges fits over. You take off the cloth, rinse it in water and put it over the base, and just push across the floor like a duster. LOVE it. It works wonderfully.  When I'm done, I throw the cloth in the washer.
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User: Bama
Member since: 03-21-2000 Total posts: 2116 
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