Finished Wood FloorsMost new wood floors are surface sealed with urethane, polyurethane or polyacrylic. Most surface-sealed floors are stain- and water-damage resistant and easy to care for and clean. For tough stains: Your floor's finish will affect how you treat stains. As a general guide, if your floor has a wax finish, rub off the stain with steel wool or cotton, working from the outside of the stain inwards; for even tougher stains, you may need to use fine sandpaper and a floor cleanser. When the stain is removed, reapply the wax and polish. If you've used a floor cleanser, make sure you wash it off the wood surface before waxing. Also, if your floor has a surface finish, you will need to treat the whole affected area to maintain color consistency. Reapply the same finish that was originally on the floor to the affected boards. Make sure you don’t overlap on the adjacent boards, or the finish will be uneven. When in doubt, consult a flooring professional for assistance.Stay away from: Oil soaps and citrus oils, which can leave a dull surface residue.