How do I clean painted wood floors?

Question

I painted old planks of wood where my floor once was. The floor was in bad shape and I didn’t have the money to get it sanded therefore I painted it with acrylic paint black shiny hi gloss And finally I put a polyurethane coat over top it really gets dirty. What is the best thing to clean it and keep the Shang going thank you

Emily · Answer

I have lots of painted floors and I wash them. IMHO it is a mistake to put polyurethane over paint as it is easier just to touch up the paint when it gets worn. Black will show dirt a lot. Keep them swept and just use a wet rag to clean them, although I do use a small amount of Murphy's oil soap too.

Kelli L. Milligan · Answer

Yes, you'll have to be delicate with them. Black is horrible to keep clean, just like black cars. The latex may start to chip and peel. Oil is always best for durability but the urethane will help some. Use a swifter for dust. Hands and knees for wet cleaning with a damp towel.

Mindshift · Answer

You don't have to worry about damaging the paint if it's coated with polyurethane. In fact, your high-gloss paint was fairly durable to begin with. The glossier the paint finish the more durable it is. Flat paint is easily damaged, but semi-gloss is most often used for trim and cabinets where the paint will need occasional cleaning.

Having chosen a shiny black paint you will need to clean it regularly. It would be better if you put down rugs and runners, especially at entries and hallways. Dirt will come in on the bottom of shoes and there is nothing you can do about that. Rugs will catch much of that.

Always start by vacuuming and plan to vacuum often. When you mop, use a damp, not wet mop (so, sponge mop rather than string mop) with a mild, well-diluted cleanser. You don't want suds that will leave a film on your floor. Then rinse mop with clean water, changing the water when it looks dirty.