Getting gunk off hardwoods?

5 years ago

This is more of a cleaning question I guess. We moved into our new home about a month ago. It was previously occupied by a tenant. Before moving in we asked them about the floors and they said that someone had used a hardwood floor product that had left a residue. I cannot figure out how to clean these floors and I am concerned about ruining them further ...But they look dirty all the time. It almost looks to me like rather than a residue left behind, that the polyer thing has been stripped in several places but I really can't tell what is going on. Has anyone had a situation like this before?? Is there anything that I can do or is my only hope to completely have the floors refinished?

Featured Answer

SJ McCarthy

5 years ago

So you have a wood floor that has had a temporary finish applied (aka. a polymer 'shine' product). Probably something like Mop N Glo or Orange Glow or some product that is KNOWN to do this.

So...first things first. Try using regular Windex (with ammonia) on it. Yep...Windex. Should be easy enough. Almost everyone has a bottle of it somewhere in their home = super easy to do a test patch.

I would find a spot in a closet or 'behind a door' (like a bedroom door) that is out of sight most of the time. Good, now follow these instructions:

You will need: 6-10 WHITE COTTON rags (clean) + Windex + 20 minutes of your time (bring a pillow to sit on).

Working with a 2ft x 2ft patch of wood flooring:

1. Thoroughly MIST the area (looks like a quick/heavy rain shower) with Windex

2. Allow to sit for 30 - 60 seconds but NO MORE!!!

3. Use rags to wipe up the Windex, switching to a new rag if they are too wet.

4. Inspect rags for 'orange' or 'yellow' or (zoinks!) 'brown' residue.

5. If residue is found on the rags, continue to step 6.

6. Lightly mist the same patch of wood with more Windex

7. Allow to sit for a 15 - 30 seconds but NO MORE!

8. With clean, dry rags, wipe up again - inspect rags for more discolouration

9. Continue misting the area (letting it sit for only 5 - 10 seconds each time afterwards) with Windex until your clean, dry rags come back WITHOUT the yellow discolouration. The rags should be 'damp' looking with a hint of blue to it (the colour of the Windex). That's when you KNOW you've gotten the residue OFF the floor.

Leave area alone for a day and then inspect your handy work. You should see the ORIGINAL finish underneath.

From what I can see of the photos, your finish is happily intact. So don't worry about that part. Sadly the 'quick shine' temporary polymer product is the one that is causing all the issues. Get rid of the temporary finish and you get rid of the problem.

If you do NOT like the idea of doing hands and knees work like this, then feel free to bring in a pro to screen the floors (they will use a chemical stripper with ammonia in it) to remove the residue. They will do this for about $1-$2/sf. It should be 1 - 2 days tops. It will take care off your issue without doing any damage to the original finish.

Do NOT get a recoat. The cr@p that was put down (that you are cleaning off) has ruined any chances you have of adding more finish to what you have. But do NOT panic. The factory finish is in good shape.

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Comments (8)

Timothy Winzell
5 years ago
What the first comment suggests is a bad idea because the second comment is correct. In addition to ammoniated Windex, there's a widely available wax stripper from Armstrong that works well, called New Beginning. Use it sparingly as too much water is bad for wood and the chemical that does the stripping can burn the wood if you use too much. After it's stripped you can start the use of regular wood floor cleaner like Bona.

After stripping, if you find there is a lot of scuffs, scratches and wear, the floor could be abraded and recoated though it would probably be best to wait a while until you're 100% sure there's no remaining residue, and it would be a good idea to use an adhesion enhancer like Bona Prep before coating.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Armstrong-64-oz-New-Beginning-Floor-Stripper-and-Cleaner-00325806/100384309
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Cara Vacek
Original Author
5 years ago
@Timothy Winzell thanks! It looks like that armstrong product is for vinyl only though? These are all hardwoods. https://www.homedepot.com/p/Armstrong-64-oz-New-Beginning-Floor-Stripper-and-Cleaner-00325806/100384309
Cara Vacek
Original Author
5 years ago
@SJ McCarthy can i just use regular diluted ammonia? That's what I usually clean with (vs. windex)
SJ McCarthy
5 years ago
Sure...if that's something you are 100% certain you can mix into a 5% solution. You do NOT want to go any higher than 5% = same strength as Windex Original.

The reason why I suggest Windex = for the TEST PATCH. It is quick, easy and already diluted to the 5% ammonia = appropriate amount.

Once you have CONFIRMED the ammonia in Windex is the RIGHT solvent then go for the rest of the work with ammonia....but MAKE SURE it is ONLY 5%.

And remember: do NOT leave anything 'wet' on the floor for more than 30 - 60 seconds. And REMEMBER: you MUST WIPE the wood DRY before you do another round of cleaning.

Too much moisture on wood = ruined wood.

If you have 5% ammonia premixed, then go for it....if not, try the Windex just for fun and games. At least you know it is diluted properly.
Cara Vacek
Original Author
5 years ago
Wow!!! I'm so stoked. I ended up using windex and a paint scraper. The windex turned the top layer a cloudy color so i knew it was "done"....still several rooms to go but so far so good!
millworkman
5 years ago
Be careful with the paint scraper.
Olychick
5 years ago
That looks amazing. Such great instructions from SJ McCarthy!