Maintenance on Dark Walnut and Red Oak Floors

Dragging furniture across an oak or walnut floor is a no-no.


If you judge them by their colors and grains, dark walnut and red oak are very different hardwoods, but in terms of wearability, they aren't very different. Their Janka hardness ratings are in the same range, and both are on the low end of the scale for hardwoods. This means that when they're used for flooring, both hardwoods are vulnerable to scratches and dents and need a durable, protective finish. Caring for the finish isn't difficult.

Avoid Water

Water can damage red oak and walnut flooring, no matter how tough a finish it has. It isn't a good idea to wet-mop, and if you do, you should dry the floor immediately after mopping. Standing water can seep between the boards and swell the wood, and the end result could be cupping boards. For the same reason, you should avoid steam mops, which actually push water vapor through the cracks between boards. No matter which cleaning solution you use, the best way to apply it is to use a rag, work in sections and dry each section with another rag before moving on to the next.

The Best Cleaners

If your floorboards came prefinished, the manufacturer probably supplied a list of recommended cleaners. Many of these contain a non-aqueous solvent that is guaranteed safe for the finish, which are also effective on floors that have been finished on-site. In a pinch, you can make your own cleaner by adding 1/2 cup of vinegar to a gallon of warm water and wiping it on the floor with a rag. Vinegar is acidic; it cuts through grime, but it can also dull the finish, so avoid strong vinegar solutions. Similarly, avoid ammonia-based cleaners and silicone-based polishes.

Dealing With Scratches

The best way to deal with scratches is to avoid making them: Don't drag furniture across the floor; leave your high-heeled shoes at the door; and avoid vacuuming with a carpet brush. Surface scratches are still bound to happen, and you can usually erase them by wiping them with a rag and a dilute solution of clear floor finish or a finish-restoring product that contains urethane. If a scratch penetrates to the wood, you may want to learn to live with it until the floor sustains enough scratches to warrant sanding and refinishing. It is possible to sand out a scratch on an individual board, but the board may not match the rest of the floor after you refinish it.

Spill Remediation

Spills are always easier to remove if you wipe them off as soon as they occur. Use a rag dampened with water to removed stains from dried food, soft drinks and juice. If you need more cutting power, switch to white vinegar, and finally, if necessary, mix equal parts of ammonia and water and rub it only on the stain. Rinse with water and dry the floor as soon as the stain is gone. Standing water may leave white marks, and the simplest way to get these out is to spread mayonnaise over them and leave it overnight. Oil from the mayonnaise seeps into the finish and replaces the water that causes the discoloration.

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