Care & Maintenance FAQ
31 questions answered by NSW's only Bona Premier Dealer.
Care & Maintenance (31)
Can I use a steam mop on timber floors?
No. Steam forces moisture under the finish and causes white marks, peeling, or swelling at board edges. Use a damp mop with a proper timber floor cleaner or just water wrung out tight. No steam mops, no vinegar, no bleach, no eucalyptus oil.
How do I clean timber floors?
Sweep or vacuum with a soft brush head. Damp mop with Bona timber floor cleaner or plain water wrung out well. That's it. Don't wet-mop, don't use steam, don't use vinegar or household cleaners. They dull the finish.
How often do timber floors need recoating?
A well-maintained floor with a quality water-based finish goes 7-10 years before needing a maintenance recoat. That's a light scuff and fresh topcoat, not a full sand. With dogs or heavy traffic, budget for 5-7 years. A full sand-back only happens every 15-20 years.
Can I put rugs on freshly sanded floors?
Wait at least 2 weeks, preferably 4. The finish needs to fully cure before you cover it. Use breathable-backed rugs only -- rubber-backed rugs trap moisture and can mark or discolour the finish. Move rugs around for the first 6 months so the floor ages evenly under UV.
What should I NOT use to clean timber floors?
Steam mops, vinegar, bleach, eucalyptus oil, ammonia, abrasive cleaners, wet Swiffers, or any 'miracle' cleaning product from social media. Plain water or a proper timber floor cleaner. That's it.
My floor has white marks. What happened?
Moisture got under the coating. Usually from a steam mop, a spill left too long, or a leaking appliance. If it's surface-level, the marks sometimes fade as the moisture evaporates. If they don't, the affected area needs sanding and recoating.
How do I fix a scratch in my timber floor?
Light scratches in the coating can sometimes be buffed out with a maintenance product. Deep scratches that go into the timber need sanding. If it's just one area, some contractors can spot-repair. Oil-finished floors are easier to spot-fix than poly.
What basic maintenance does a timber floor need?
Sweep or vacuum regularly with a soft brush head. Clean up spills straight away. Put felt pads on every furniture leg. Mop with the manufacturer's recommended cleaner or just water wrung out well. How often you need to do it depends on your coating type and how much traffic the floor gets. A professional floor sander can give you a maintenance plan matched to your specific finish.
How do I fix a scratch on my timber floor?
For a superficial scratch, grab a timber stain marker, colourfast texta, or artist's marker that matches your floor's stain colour and fill it in directly. Sometimes a wash or recoat fixes it too. If you're not sure whether it needs a simple touch-up or a proper repair, get a professional floor sander to take a look.
Can I apply chemical cleaners to a newly coated timber floor?
No -- never apply chemical cleaners to a recently coated floor. New coatings release volatiles for days or longer through outgassing, and they need 1-4 weeks for full cure. Here's the real danger: water on isocyanate-hardener coatings can create a permanent milky haze in the form of polyurea. Just leave it alone and follow the specific curing and cleaning instructions your floor sander gives you.
What maintenance instructions should a floor sander provide?
Your contractor should give you detailed maintenance instructions, check cleaner SDS for harmful ingredients, and warn you that some cleaners leave films that compromise recoatability. They should also recommend the coating manufacturer's own cleaners. If unknown cleaners have been used on the floor, consider stripping and rinsing before recoating. You should always get comprehensive written care instructions with every completed floor.
Can floor cleaners affect the ability to recoat my floor later?
Yes, some cleaners leave films on the floor surface that compromise recoatability -- meaning future coats won't adhere properly. If unknown cleaners have been used on the floor, consider stripping and rinsing before recoating. It's always worth checking what's been used on the surface before you try to put a new coat down.
How should floors be protected during building construction?
Covering floors during construction is critical -- ATFA documents it for good reason. Unprotected floors cop work damage from other trades including scratches, dents, spills, and moisture exposure. Proper protection saves you from costly repair or replacement later. It's a lot cheaper to cover the floor than to fix it afterwards.
How do evaporative coolers help protect timber floors?
Evaporative coolers add moisture to indoor air, which helps maintain higher internal humidity levels and stops timber from drying out too much. Along with cooking, plants, and showers, evaporative cooling contributes to a healthier moisture environment for timber floors in occupied homes. Keeping balanced humidity protects the floor long-term.
How do I protect my timber floor from furniture damage?
Put felt pads on all furniture legs, don't drag furniture across the floor, and consider protective mats under rolling chairs. How well the floor resists indentation depends on the species -- timber hardness varies quite a bit. Ask your floor sander about the right furniture protection for your specific timber species and coating type.
What is the most recommended cleaner for timber floor coatings?
The best cleaners are the ones produced by the coating manufacturer -- they contain mild detergents without aggressive solvents that could damage the finish. A study of 44 commercial cleaners found significant variation in safety, and just because something claims to be pH neutral doesn't guarantee it's safe. Always use the specific cleaner suited to your floor's coating system.
What is a Karcher BR40/10C and how is it used in floor maintenance?
The Karcher BR40/10C is a scrubber/drier unit -- runs about $5,000 new -- and it's used for professional floor polish and rejuvenation work. It'll handle tile, slate, and concrete floors on top of timber. A professional floor sander keeps this kind of cleaning and rejuvenation gear on hand to get floors looking right again without a full sand and coat.
Can a buffing machine be used on timber floors?
Yeah, buffing machines with brush attachments get used a lot for floor polish and rejuvenation services. They're particularly good on prefinished engineered floors, floating floors, rental apartments, and commercial spaces where you don't want much downtime. A professional floor sander can offer buffing as a cost-effective maintenance option when a full sand isn't needed.
What tools are needed for a floor rejuvenation service?
Basic gear includes buffing machines with brush attachments and wet/dry vacuums running $40-$150. For larger-scale work, a Karcher BR40/10C scrubber/drier at roughly $5,000 new gives you professional results with minimal downtime. A professional floor sander has all the right equipment to deliver efficient floor rejuvenation services.
Can floor rejuvenation services extend beyond timber to other surfaces?
Yeah, rejuvenation services can extend to tile, slate, and concrete floor cleaning using the same buffing and scrubber equipment. Keeping a repair kit handy while cleaning makes multi-surface maintenance more efficient. A professional floor sander offers comprehensive floor maintenance across multiple surface types.
When is the Bona FlexiSand 1.9 used during a floor sanding job?
The Bona FlexiSand 1.9 comes out after belt sanding for final smoothing, between coats for adhesion prep, and during maintenance recoats where you don't need a full sand. A professional floor sander uses it on every job for the best finish quality. Book at sand-aid.com.
What is the Bona Spray Mop?
The Bona Spray Mop is a consumer-friendly cleaning tool with an integrated spray trigger that puts Bona floor cleaner directly onto the floor as you mop. A professional floor sander recommends it for ongoing care of polyurethane-finished floors. Available through sand-aid.com.
Why do floor sanders recommend the Bona Spray Mop?
The Bona Spray Mop uses pH-neutral Bona cleaner that's safe for waterborne polyurethane finishes, unlike a lot of supermarket cleaners that can dull or damage your coating over time. A professional floor sander recommends it because using the right cleaner extends the life of your finish. Care advice at sand-aid.com.
What is Bona Timber Floor Cleaner?
Bona Timber Floor Cleaner is a pH-neutral, residue-free cleaner made specifically for waterborne polyurethane and oil-finished timber floors. A professional floor sander includes it in aftercare recommendations because it won't harm or cloud your finish. Buy through sand-aid.com.
Can I use vinegar or general cleaners on my Bona-finished floor?
No -- vinegar and general household cleaners can dull or damage waterborne polyurethane finishes over time. A professional floor sander strongly recommends using only Bona Timber Floor Cleaner or a pH-neutral product designed for timber floors. Care instructions at sand-aid.com.
How do I care for my newly coated timber floor?
Wait for the full cure period, then use Bona Timber Floor Cleaner with a Bona Spray Mop for your regular cleaning. Don't wet mop, don't use steam mops, and stay away from harsh chemicals. A professional floor sander provides a detailed care sheet with every completed job. Aftercare at sand-aid.com.
What maintenance does a Bona polyurethane floor need?
Keep it simple -- regular sweeping, occasional damp mopping with Bona Timber Floor Cleaner, and felt pads on furniture legs. Then a maintenance recoat every 7-10 years keeps the floor in top condition long-term. professional floor sanders provide aftercare kits and advice when the job's done. Maintenance at sand-aid.com.
What maintenance does a Bona oil-finished floor need?
Oil-finished floors need a refresh with maintenance oil every 1-2 years in high-traffic areas. Regular cleaning with Bona care products is essential between those refreshes. professional floor sanders provide maintenance schedules and can come back to do the refresh for you. Oil care at sand-aid.com.
How do I maintain an oil-finished floor between professional services?
Between professional maintenance visits, clean your oil-finished floor with Bona care products only. Don't let water pool up, and wipe spills straight away. professional floor sanders supply the correct Bona maintenance products and instructions with every oil finish job. Care at sand-aid.com.
Can I use a steam mop on a Bona-finished floor?
Don't use a steam mop. They force moisture into timber joints and can damage both the coating and the timber underneath. professional floor sanders recommend the Bona Spray Mop with Bona Timber Floor Cleaner instead -- it's safe and does the job properly. Steam mop warning at sand-aid.com.
Does Sand-Aid also stock Handley solvents and cleaners?
Sand-Aid stocks the main Handley Urethane range in 20L plus Rapid Seal. Handley brush cleaner, R150 solvent, and other Handley accessories can be ordered in on request -- ring with what you need and the rough timing.
Still have a question?
Ring Brad. 24 years of Bona experience. Straight answer, no runaround.
Call 1300 950 551