Before you grab a bucket of water and a mop, it's best to find out how your hardwood floor is sealed—if at all. Why? The finish, not the wood type, determines how you clean and care for the floor.

Wood floors need a sealer to protect new wood when it’s installed, and again years later after resanding. Finishes like shellac, lacquer and linseed oil don’t qualify even though they’re great on ...

Follow our easy steps on how to clean hardwood floors. Transform your floors from dull and grimy to gleaming, gorgeous and clean! First Things First—Determine the Finish Before you grab a bucket of ...