How to Maintain Lacquered Wood Floors for Long-Lasting Beauty

A well-planned maintenance programme is the key to keeping your lacquered wood floors clean, glossy, and beautiful for years. Lacquer is one of the most durable finishes available, but even the strongest surface benefits from regular care. With the right approach, your floor will continue to resist scratches, dirt, and daily wear in both domestic and commercial settings.

That said, every floor is unique. The level of upkeep required depends on factors like foot traffic, seasonal changes, and the type of environment. For example, a busy office may need additional matting at entrances to protect against dirt and grit, while a quiet household may only require light weekly cleaning. Adjusting your maintenance strategy to reflect the specific use and conditions of your floor ensures the best long-term results.

Effective Floor Maintenance

To keep your lacquered wood floors looking their best, it’s important to follow a consistent care routine. Below are the four key steps to maintaining shine, durability, and protection:

1. Dry Cleaning: Sweep, vacuum, or use a scissor mop daily to remove dust, grit, and dirt. Even the smallest abrasive particles can scratch the lacquer seal when dragged under shoes or furniture, so removing them promptly is essential.
2. Damp Cleaning: For soluble dirt, use a wood floor cleaner with a spray-buff system for large floors or a mop and bucket for smaller domestic spaces. We recommend diluted Bona Cleaner as a safe and effective solution. If using a buffing machine, fit it with a tank pad—red pads for heavily soiled areas only. Avoid coarse pads, which can damage the lacquer.
3. Additional Cleaning: Commercial floors often face tougher contaminants like grease, sweat, or residues. In such cases, Bona Remover is ideal for eliminating non-soluble dirt and restoring the floor’s slip resistance.
4. Further Protection: Wax-based polishes were once used to enhance protection, but they prevent future re-lacquering without sanding back to bare wood. A modern alternative is Bona Freshen Up, a polyurethane maintainer applied by mop or cloth. Use it whenever the floor begins to look dull or scratched. For new or recently refinished floors, apply at the first signs of wear to extend the life of the finish.

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Newly Finished Floors

After applying a Bona floor finish, the surface usually becomes touch-dry within around 3 hours, but it takes up to a full week to cure completely. During this curing period, it’s important to treat your floor with care:

• Light foot traffic: Safe after 8 hours.
• Heavy use: Avoid for at least 72 hours.
• Furniture: Can be returned after 24 hours, but always fit protective pads first.
• Rugs, carpets, or coverings: Do not place them for the first 7 days, as they may trap moisture and interfere with curing.
• Cleaning products: Avoid using any maintenance products until the floor has fully cured.

Floor Refurbishment

Even with proper maintenance, lacquered floors will eventually require refurbishment to restore their protective layer and appearance. The process depends largely on how the floor was previously cared for:

• If wax-based polishes were used, the floor must be sanded back to bare wood before a new lacquer application.
• If only Bona Freshen Up or Bona Cleaner has been applied, it’s possible to add further coats of lacquer without full sanding. Instead, use the Bona Prep System to clean and lightly abrade the surface with the Bona Scrad system before recoating.

If you’re unsure what products were used previously, always perform an adhesion test. Clean a small test area, abrade lightly, and apply a coat of finish. After 48 hours, rub the area with the edge of a coin (such as a ten pence piece). If the lacquer remains intact, adhesion is satisfactory, and further recoating is possible.

Life Cycle of Wooden Floors

One of the biggest advantages of using Bona’s compatible product range is the ability to extend the life cycle of your wooden floors while reducing disruption and long-term costs. With the right care, you can delay or even avoid the need for full sanding and restoration.

The key is to monitor your floor’s condition regularly. By applying Bona Freshen Up at the first signs of dullness and adding additional coats of finish before the wear reaches bare wood, you can maintain both protection and appearance. This proactive approach ensures your lacquered floor continues to look fresh, while also minimising the need for invasive and expensive refurbishment.

Conclusion

Lacquered wood floors are among the most durable and resilient flooring options, but they still require consistent maintenance to preserve their beauty and strength. By combining daily cleaning with occasional deep care and using specialist products like Bona Cleaner, Bona Freshen Up, and Bona Remover, you can significantly extend the life cycle of your wooden floors. Proactive upkeep means fewer disruptions, lower costs, and, in many cases, the possibility of avoiding a full sanding and refinishing altogether.

Whether it’s a newly finished surface, a busy commercial space, or a home floor in need of a refresh, the right routine will keep your lacquered floor looking polished and protected for decades.

Frequently Asked Questions About Lacquered Floor Maintenance

How often should I clean my lacquered wood floors?

We recommend daily dry cleaning with a vacuum, broom, or mop to remove dust and grit. Damp cleaning with a pH-neutral cleaner should be done weekly or as needed.

Can I use water to clean a lacquered floor?

Yes, but always with a slightly damp mop. Avoid excess water, as it can damage the lacquer and the wood underneath.

How do I maintain newly lacquered floors?

Allow at least one week for full curing. Light foot traffic is safe after 8 hours, but heavy use and rugs should be avoided until the finish is fully hardened.

When should I reapply Bona Freshen Up?

Use Bona Freshen Up whenever your floor starts to look dull or scratched. Applying it early helps extend the finish and avoid sanding.

Do lacquered floors eventually need sanding?

With proper maintenance, including regular top-up coats and refreshers, you may be able to avoid sanding entirely. However, if the lacquer wears down to bare wood, sanding and refinishing will be required.

Want to extend the life of your lacquered wood floors? Our professional cleaning and maintenance services will keep your floors pristine, durable, and easy to maintain.