brazilian cherry floors SO high maintenance

5 years ago

We have brazilian cherry hardwoods throughout most of our house. Before we moved in, we added an additional 1000sq ft of brazilian cherry and refinished the existing in a matte finish. I am considering having the floors redone, because they are so high maintenance. They don't look great even when freshly mopped (I've never used the "bad" cleaners), and they show every single footprint and bit of dust even with bare feet. There is absolutely no way for me to keep them looking nice as is. I am wondering if anybody has a finish or stain that helps ease this issue. I'm sure for some it's not a problem, but we have three kids, pets, and entertain a lot. Thanks!

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Comments (5)

virginia lynn
5 years ago
Do you know if the floors were finished on site originally? I find the best way to get Hardwood floors to be streak free is to hand wash with a damp cloth. Every floor I have done is different. Some wood reacts better to vinegar and water others Murphy oil soap or ivory dish soap.
Jesse N thanked virginia lynn
mandy_moo_pants
5 years ago
I agree with above poster; I also add a little bit of dawn dish soap. And the swiffer dry mop is your new best friend
Jesse N thanked mandy_moo_pants
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Jesse N
Original Author
5 years ago
Thanks! I have tried every (safe) cleaning method (not Murphy's oil as I've heard it leaves residue). I'm looking for more of a solution to make the floors less maintenance over all, for example; a different type of stain or finish. I've heard some people bleach them or use a stain with some green in it. Anybody have experience with this? They are site finished.
PRO
G & S Floor Service
5 years ago
Use a higher sheen like a semi-gloss finish.
SJ McCarthy
5 years ago
^^As G & S Floor states. The issues you "hate" are due to the MATTE finish. I'm sorry to say but you have just discovered the MASSIVE down-side to matte finishes.

I would recommend looking at a semi-gloss finish. It might be possible to do a "buff and coat" rather than a full sand/refinish. But it might not be. It all depends on the finish used BELOW the final coat of matte.

It is entirely possible the professional you hired (do you remember who you hired? If so, go ahead and contact them to see if they have anything on file from your previous work order) used traditional gloss or semi-gloss as the first two coats and then used the matte as the final coat. This is VERY common.

*IF (big "if") they did this, then it is entirely possible to have the matte layer buffed/sanded off and a coat of semi-gloss applied. This could save you DAYS of work and $$ at the same time. A buff and coat is roughly 1/2 the price of a full sand/refinish.

I'm sorry you are going through this. The issues you mention are well known in the flooring world. As trendy as the matte finish has become, it is also one of the HARDEST finishes to live with - for all the reasons you list.

If you are someone who feels that "shiny = clean" then you will not be happy with anything less than semi-gloss. I refer to these types of personalities as "clean-shiny" people. There is nothing wrong with it. It is simply who they/you are. That's fine.

So long as you know that you are/might be a clean-shiny person, then you can make the best decision for your home. A semi-gloss is the best option. It gives a good shine when clean but it isn't SUPER shiny (which shows dust/dirt/scratches). Semi-gloss is very satisfying for people who feel the need to see a good shine once a floor has been cleaned.

Satin would be too dull for a "clean-shiny" person. It would be acceptable to someone who really couldn't careless about how floor looks after it is cleaned, so long as they know it has been cleaned. Satin offers a "glow" but not a shine. And that can be frustrating for someone who loves to see a good shine after a floor has been cleaned.

Please contact the person/company who refinished your floors. They will have the best knowledge of what was used and if a buff and coat is possible.

brazilian cherry floors SO high maintenance

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virginia lynn

mandy_moo_pants

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brazilian cherry floors SO high maintenance

Comments (5)

virginia lynn

mandy_moo_pants

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Jesse NOriginal Author

G & S Floor Service

SJ McCarthy

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BUSINESS SERVICES

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Jesse N
Original Author