I rent a heritage home and the polyurethane has been lightly wrecked, but also the wood is drying out from the dry weather and curling up and separating. I am extremely confused about cleaning and conditioning this floor.
I have been told to clean according to polyurethane, however I've also been told that the polyurethane is porous so don't wreck the wood underneath. I've been told wax and oil wreck the poly finish, but then that I should be treating the wood so that it doesn't dehydrate (which it clearly has since I have rented). I've been told to not mop or it will wreck the floor and I've been told to dilute Murphy's oil.
I AM SO CONFUSED! My floors are looking so horrible since I moved in. I rented this house with serious references and then sublet to roommates who think I am a freak for being concerned with the state of the floors.
Best Answer
The thing that deteriorates polyurethane most quickly is allowing abrasives (like sand) to accumulate the floor. These should be swept up immediately; or just set your roomba to do it for you.
A swiffer, or hard wood floor cleaner such as this between 1ce a week - 1ce a month depending on how heavy traffic is should be fine.
Steam mopping is a bit questionable, but probably fine for finishes that are in good condition.
Sand and refinish the floors every 5 years.
Other things I've seen deteroiate floors is