Timber Floor Care Guide
Timber floors are remarkably easy to live with — but a little bit of routine care makes a huge difference to how they look and how long the finish lasts. Here's the maintenance approach we recommend to every client.
Daily & weekly cleaning
Regular soft sweeping or vacuuming (with the beater bar switched off) removes the grit that would otherwise act like sandpaper on the finish. Aim for a light clean twice a week in busy households, once a week in quieter homes. This is by far the most important habit for keeping a timber floor looking new.
Mopping do's & don'ts
A damp — not wet — mop with a manufacturer-approved timber-safe cleaner every 2–4 weeks handles anything sweeping doesn't get. Never use vinegar, ammonia, steam mops or standard multi-purpose cleaners on timber floors; they'll damage the finish over time. Standing water is the enemy of any timber floor, so wring the mop until it's barely damp.
Furniture protection
Felt pads under every leg of every piece of furniture — no exceptions. Chairs at kitchen benches and dining tables are the biggest culprits for scratches, so use quality felt or a proper glide. For heavy items on wheels (office chairs, appliances), use a protective mat.
Pets
Keep dog and cat nails trimmed, wipe wet paws at the door, and put a mat under water bowls. Timber handles pets very well, but the wet-paw-plus-untrimmed-nails combination is the most common cause of premature finish wear.
Humidity & climate
Timber is hygroscopic — it expands and contracts as indoor humidity swings. Aim for a stable indoor environment between 40–65% relative humidity where possible. In coastal WA that usually means running reverse-cycle air conditioning through the peak of summer and avoiding extended periods of the home being sealed shut during humid weather.
Recoating (every 7–10 years)
Most timber floors benefit from a recoat every 7–10 years — a light abrasion of the existing finish followed by a fresh coat of the same finish type. It's much faster and cheaper than a full sand, and it resets the wear layer before it's damaged enough to need serious work.
Full sand & refinish (every 15–25 years)
Every 15–25 years — depending on wear, sunlight exposure and how many recoats have been done in between — a full sand and refinish takes the floor right back to bare timber. This is where our floor sanding and polishing service comes in, and it's a genuinely dramatic transformation on floors that have been through 20+ years of life.
Maintenance schedule at a glance
Sweep or vacuum weekly. Damp mop every 2–4 weeks. Check felt pads and replace as needed every 6–12 months. Recoat every 7–10 years. Full sand and refinish every 15–25 years. Following that schedule, a premium timber floor will look and perform beautifully for its full lifespan.