CLEANING & CARE GUIDE
FOR NORTHERN WIDE PLANK HARDWAX OIL FINISHED FLOORS
Northern Wide Plank Hardwax Oiled Wood Floors
NORTHERN WIDE PLANK FLOORS USE A NATURAL HARDWAX OIL FINISH THAT NEEDS TO BE MAINTAINED TO RETAIN THEIR ORIGINAL DURABILITY AND BEAUTIFUL APPEARANCE. OUR HARDWAX OILED SURFACES ARE BREATHABLE, PERMEABLE, AND HAVE AN ELEMENT OF ELASTICITY DESIGNED TO FOLLOW THE WOOD’S NATURAL MOVEMENTS BETWEEN SEASONAL CHANGES. LIKE OTHER NATURAL SURFACES, THEY SHOULD BE CLEANED AND NOURISHED BY FOLLOWING THE SIMPLE STEPS IN THIS GUIDE.
While Northern Wide Plank Hardwax Oiled floors are durable, they are not indestructible. However, you can prevent most problems before they occur with the proper cleaning and care, ensuring your new floor retains its natural beauty, strength, and durability.
NWP HARDWOOD FLOORING CLEANING AND CARE CONSIDERATIONS
Please note that different wood species have different qualities such as hardness, sensitivity to indentation and scratching, and fading colour. Light coloured and very dark coloured floors are more sensitive to wear-and-tear than mid tones, and therefore may require more frequent cleaning and care. The colouring of all wood flooring changes slowly when exposed to light and may change more when their surfaces are renovated.
How often your wood floor should receive the cycles of cleaning and care depends on its usage. For both residential and commercial settings, it is recommended to vacuum daily, or as frequently as possible. Damp mopping should only be done when required.
The frequency of damp mopping will depend on the usage and amount of dirt that accumulates.
• For residential settings, once a week may be enough to damp mop.
• For commercial settings such as restaurants, office buildings, and other high traffic areas, it may be necessary to damp mop daily.
On the following page you will find some tips on how to maintain your NWP hardwood floors.
On our website, you can also find various helpful cleaning and care how-to videos and can reorder cleaning and care products. If you have any questions, please reach out to NWP’s customer service team at 877-763-6169 or by emailing info@northernwideplank.com.
CLICK HERE to watch our overview video on the cleaning and care process.
TIPS TO MAINTAIN YOUR NWP WOOD FLOORING
• Wipe up any spills immediately . Do not allow spills of food, wine, coffee, paint, water, urine, etc. to stay on the floor for any extended period of time
• Move appliances and furniture into place by picking up and placing to avoid floor contact or by sliding them slowly over the floor on a clean piece of carpet (turned upside down), or on Masonite with the smooth side down.
• Use protective felt pads (not metal feet, which mark wood floors) on any appliance and furniture to avoid unnecessary marks and scratches on the floor.
• Maintain normal interior humidity levels. Northern Wide Plank requires a relative humidity range of minimum 35%, maximum 55% and a temperature range 15°C (60°F) to 24°C (75°F) Not maintaining adequate humidity will dry the wood out and create shrinkage, cracking, and gapping in the wood.
• Infloor heating systems must be kept at a constant temperature not exceeding 29°C (85°F). Radial fluctuations in the wood temperature can create irreparable damage. Temperatures should not be raised or lowered more than 2°C (4°F) each 24-hour period.
• Place breathable door mats at entryways of your home to help protect your floor from water, abrasive dust, and grit. This will help save unnecessary clean-up tasks.
• In commercial spaces, place area rugs in high or concentrated traffic areas to make longterm maintenance easier and less expensive.
• Use our recommended Vileda flat mop systems for faster mopping and best results. The head has replaceable mop heads that can be used for both everyday usage and periodic maintenance of the NWP Wax Care cleaner.
DON’T:
• Do not use conditioners, acrylic waxes, or ammonia-based cleaners that aren’t made for hardwax oil hardwood floors. It is recommended to only use NWP Floor Soap, which is a special cleaning concentrate for wooden floors with a hardwax oil.
• Do not use vinegar or detergent solutions on the floor and never use a wet mop or pour water directly onto the floor.
• Do not use hardwood floor cleaning machines (unless approved by NWP) or steam cleaners.
• Do not use steel wool or abrasive sanding items on the floor to try and remove tough stains, always follow the recommendations further in this guide for removing stains.
• Do not use tape of any kind on the surface of the floor as it can remove the finish or leave a residue embedded in the finish.
REGULAR CLEANING & DAMP MOPPING
IMPORTANT NOTES BEFORE GETTING STARTED:
1. Vacuum regularly to keep floors free of dust or dirt that may scratch or damage the surface, if required vacuum daily.
2. Damp mopping frequency:
a. Residential Spaces - Damp mopping can be done weekly.
b. Commercial Spaces - Damp mopping can be done daily if required.
3. Only wash your floors with NWP Floor Soap or an approved cleaning alternative that is specifically made for hardwax oil floors.
4. Do not flood wash or use too much water, as this is a leading cause to the finish prematurely wearing and breaking down.
5. Please refer to Page 5 for a list of products, materials, and machines to avoid.
MATERIALS NEEDED:
1. Vacuum
2. Bucket with wringer (double bucket mopping system is recommended)
3. Microfiber flat mop
4. NWP Floor Soap
STEPS:
1. Vacuum the floor area before damp mopping.
2. Add approximately 5L of room temperature water to the bucket.
3. Add 3 caps of NWP Floor Soap solution to the bucket (5L of water).
4. Mix the soap solution.
5. Place the flat mop head into the soap solution and rinse in the wringer.
6. Ensure the mop head is wrung out well.
7. Begin damp mopping the floor, going in the same direction as the wood grain.
8. Return mop to bucket and rinse thoroughly.
9. Repeat steps 6 to 9 until the floor is clean.
10. Leave the floor to dry.
NWP FLOOR SOAP
CAN I USE ANY CLEANING PRODUCT TO CLEAN MY NORTHERN WIDE PLANK HARDWAX OIL FINISHED FLOORS?
No. You should not use cleaning products that aren’t specifically made for hardwax oil floors.
Northern Wide Plank floors are finished with a specialty hardwax oil that penetrates the pores of the wood, strengthening and protecting them from within, which keeps the wood’s natural characteristics.
For Northern Wide Plank hardwax oil finished floors, it is recommended to use NWP Floor Soap, which is a special cleaning concentrate for wood floors with hardwax oil.
PROTECTING AND TREATING YOUR FLOORS AFTER INSTALLATION
NWP’s Specialty Hardwax Oil finish is made from natural oils and waxes and is an open pore finish. This means that we are ensuring a microscopic natural breathing finish, that seals the wood and allows it to breathe. This not only gives you a very beautiful, natural looking floor, but a finish that provides excellent durability and can be easily maintained.
The final stages of construction are generally when wood floors are most vulnerable to any damage. This is when construction and drywall dust can lead to scratches and dulling of the finish. To avoid this, always vacuum any dust and debris thoroughly before applying water to wash and care for the hardwood floors. If water is used before vacuuming, it can combine with the dust to create a thick paste that damages the floor. To reduce and prevent this problem, always make sure the floor is covered and protected during construction related work. We recommend using a nonwoven floor protection plankliner that is slip resistant, breathable, and resistant to liquids. NWP Plankliner is available on our website.
NWP PRODUCTS WITH A HARDWAX OIL (UV CURED) FINISH
For all Northern Wide Plank products that have a Hardwax Oil (UV Cured) finish, these should be cleaned using the Regular Cleaning & Damp Mopping instructions on Page 6.
The type of finish for your Northern Wide Plank hardwood floors can be found on your sales order, the product specification sheet, and on the product page––under the SPECS section––on our website
If the floors look like they could use a little more visual impact, this can be solved by following the ‘Periodically Refreshing Your Hardwood Floors’ directions which can be found on Page 10.
NWP PRODUCTS WITH A HARDWAX OIL (AIR DRIED) FINISH
In cases where your Northern Wide Plank hardwood floors have a Hardwax Oil, Air Dried finish, a further coat of NWP Specialty Hardwax Oil mixed with the 2K Hardener Additive is required, and should be applied after installation.
This additional protective treatment gives the floor greater overall protection by sealing between the planks and filling up the open wood pores, increasing the wood’s resistance to dirt, liquids, and general wear. Care should be taken to protect baseboards, and porous surfaces adjacent to the floor during this process. This process should be completed at the last possible stage prior to the tenant taking possession of the space.
STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS FOR HARDWAX OIL (AIR DRIED) FINISHED FLOORS:
Note: This additional coat is only required for Air Dried Hardwax Oil finished floors.
1. As long as the floors are clean and there is no damage from the construction stage, the floors can be mopped and left to air dry.
2. Once dry, you can begin applying the final coat of NWP Specialty Hardwax OIl mixed with NWP 2K Hardener Additive.
3. Add one can of the NWP 2K Hardener to a can of NWP Specialty Hardwax Oil.
4. Stir and mix thoroughly.
5. Empty into a paint tray.
Note: This mixture will cover approximately 250 square feet and will begin to thicken and harden in the paint tray within 1 to 2 hours. To maintain usage, it should be frequently stirred.
6. Begin applying the mixture to the floor, in 2-3’ strips using a NWP Floor roller (or an NWP Approved alternative).
Note: The mixture must be worked well into the floor, and lines must be overlapped when applying. Be careful not to spread too thin.
7. Once completed, let the floor dry for at least 8-10 hours. Ensure there is good ventilation and the room temperature is above 18 degrees.
This process is a simplified version of the ‘Renovation’ process outlined in this guide (refer to Page 15).
PERIODICALLY REFRESHING YOUR NWP HARDWOOD FLOORS
From time to time your hardwood floors will need refreshing with NWP Wax Care cleaner to touch up any scuff marks, regenerate the protective hardwax coat, and improve resistance to stains and wear; while preserving the charm and charisma of your floor. These instructions are simple and user-friendly, designed to be easily completed by any capable consumer.
The interval for refreshing your floor depends on its usage.
Recommended Frequency:
• Residential: Apply Wax Care annually
• Commercial: Apply Wax Care every 3-9 months.
Areas of higher traffic, such as entryways or hallways, may require more localized, frequent care.
IMPORTANT NOTES BEFORE GETTING STARTED:
• Always ensure the area is well ventilated during application and for 6-8 hours after.
• Under normal climate conditions allow 1-2 hours for NWP Wax Care to dry before walking on.
• Lower temperatures and/or higher air humidity can increase the drying time.
• Product coverage of NWP Wax Care strongly depends on the absorption of the substrate, but generally 1 litre of NWP Wax Care product covers approx. 800-1,000 square feet.
• Always use sparingly, otherwise you will get a wax like buildup that will attract dirt and contribute to a dirty looking floor.
MATERIALS NEEDED:
• Vacuum
• Bucket with wringer (double bucket mopping system is recommended)
• Microfiber flat mop
• NWP Floor Soap
• NWP Wax Care
• Additional microfiber flat mop head - for the NWP Wax Care
STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS FOR PERIODICALLY REFRESHING YOUR NWP HARDWOOD FLOORS
1. Vacuum the floor thoroughly.
2. Follow the ‘Regular Cleaning & Damp Mopping Procedure’ noted on Page 6 to thoroughly clean the floors.
Note: For very dirty floors, use the double bucket mop method, along with a flat mopping system, which will provide a cleaner finish by separating the clean solution from the dirty solution, along with a flat mop to help scrub dirt out of the grain.
3. Let the floor surface completely dry, which can take anywhere from 30-60 minutes. Prior to applying NWP Wax Care, the hardwood surface must be dust-free and completely dry.
4. Shake the tin of NWP Wax Care well to ensure the product is mixed.
5. Apply 1 teaspoon or capful of NWP Wax Care for every 10 square feet at a time. This should be applied directly out of the tin onto the floor.
6. Use a flat, dry mop to spread the NWP Wax Care cleaner as evenly as possible. Work the NWP Wax Care well into the floor grain to ensure there is minimal excess left on the floor surface. Change the mop head as they become saturated.
7. Allow the hardwood floor surface to dry for 1-2 hours.
STAIN REMOVAL AND SMALL SPOT REPAIRS
All hardwood floors are susceptible to stains and scratches in the course of day-to-day life. The best way to avoid stains is to use breathable mats around kitchen sinks and food prep areas. In addition, mats or rugs can be used in entry ways to limit scratches, water and other outdoor elements. Further stain prevention methods are to wipe liquid and food spills immediately with a clean, damp cloth
Very light and white floors will show stains or wear more than mid tones. If a floor seems to stain easily, it may be an indication that you may be in need of a Periodic Refreshing or Renovation to improve the durability.
STAIN REMOVAL
For general stains use NWP’s Floor Soap. For more difficult stains such as grease or scuff marks, use NWP Wax Care. No water should be used with NWP Wax Care.
Stain removers should be used with care. Using too much or rubbing too hard, can affect the surface finish and colour.
When NWP Floor Soap is being used to treat a small stain, it can be applied directly out of the container, (no need to mix with water). Massage the cleaner into the stains and let sit for a few minutes to help break down the stain. Add water and continue to scrub gently until the stain goes away or diminishes. Clean up with water and a clean cloth.
NWP Wax Care can be used in a similar manner to NWP Floor Soap to treat stains. Apply directly to the affected area, scrub gently, then remove any excess NWP Wax Care affected area and then ensure you completely remove the excess. No water should be used with this product as it contains mainly solvents and protective waxes.
Use stain-removers with care; using too much or rubbing too hard can affect the surface finish and colour. In some cases the best results to deal with a stain is to clean it and as well use a coloured touch up to mask the stain.
CLICK HERE to watch our video on Hardwood Floor Stain Removal and Small Spot Repairs
NWP FLOOR SOAP
STAIN REMOVE WITH
Chocolate, grease, oil, whipped cream, fruit, berries, juice, soft drinks, beer, tea, wine, milk, cream, coffee, pet urine and feces.
NWP Floor Soap
WHAT PRODUCT CAN I USE ON MY NORTHERN WIDE PLANK HARDWAX OIL FINISHED FLOORS TO DISINFECT THEM?
There are many products you can use to disinfect your Northern Wide Plank Hardwax Oil finished floors, however they should be used sparingly. You may also want to test the disinfectant on a small area to ensure there is no visible effect.
Products such as Lysol All-Purpose Cleaner or Clorox Scentiva Disinfecting Wipes can be used to disinfect your NWP hardwood floors, in accordance with the manufacturers recommendation. After the area is disinfected, it is recommended to damp mop the area with NWP Floor Soap and water approximately 5 minutes after applying the disinfectant.
For further instructions on how and when to use NWP Floor Soap, refer to Page 6.
For further instructions on how and when to use NWP Wax Care, refer to Page 10-11.
Rubber marks, oil, tar, asphalt Ink, felt tip pens, stencils, blacking, paint, crayons, etc.
NWP Wax Care
SMALL SPOT REPAIRS
Small spot repairs are needed when surface scuffs and scratches appear on the floor that require coloured touch up. Your NWP Touch Up Oil can be found in your Cleaning and Care Kit. You can also order more Touch Up Oil by contacting Northern Wide Plank’s service team.
STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS FOR SMALL SPOT REPAIRS
1. Mix the can of Touch Up Oil well.
2. Apply with a small brush to the affected area.
3. Gently rub in the Touch Up Oil using a dry cloth, and remove any excess oil.
Note: Remember to remove any excess oil and dispose of cloths safely.
RENOVATION
Even a perfectly cared for floor will one day show signs of wear. This process, known as Renovating, should be left to a competent professional that has experience with hardwax oil finished floors.
NWP floor colours and surfaces are all developed in-house and use certain treatments and processes to achieve an overall look and feel. When considering this Renovation process please always take note of the product installed, and contact a member of Northern Wide Planks service team before beginning this process to ensure you have everything necessary, including colouring products if required.
If a small area is damaged, worn through, or needs to be repaired for any other reason, it is sometimes best to replace the damaged boards.
One of the great advantages of a Hardwax Oil finished floor, is that unlike traditional lacquers, they can be repaired or refinished without the need for sanding. Northern Wide Plank Hardwax Oiled wood floors can also be partially renovated, allowing you to refinish high traffic areas or walkways without having to completely remove furniture, etc., from the entire room, saving you considerable time and effort.
HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOUR HARDWOOD FLOORS NEED RENOVATING?
A good indication is when large, or noticeable amounts of wear patterns are present throughout the floor. A good test is to pour a small amount of water on your hardwood floors. If the water seeps into the floor instead of beading, then this is a strong indicator that the renovation process is needed.
To help ensure that the original colour of the floor can be matched, please always take note of the product installed and contact Northern Wide Plank’s Service Team to obtain the correct materials needed.
CLICK HERE to watch our video on The Renovation Process for NWP Hardwood Floors
STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE RENOVATION PROCESS
1. Clear the area for renovating - All furniture, rugs and other objects should be moved out of the area to be renovated.
2. Vacuum the floor thoroughly.
3. Tape off baseboards in tight areas, locations with high volumes of dirt in the grain and on outward corners such as kitchen islands, or porous surfaces that are connected to the wood floor, to protect from the cleaning solutions, oils and mechanical buffing machines that are used.
4. Clean the floor using a mechanical buffer with a white or red pad, and a soap solution of NWP Floor Soap and water. This is combined with NWP Floor Soap and a mopping system.
For more soiled or dirty surfaces, it is recommended to use a double bucket mopping system along with a higher concentration of NWP Floor Soap. The double bucket system will provide a cleaner finish by separating the clean solution from the dirty solution.
For further instructions on how and when to use NWP Floor Soap, refer to the Regular Cleaning & Damp Mopping instructions on Page 6.
Note: it is recommended to have two individuals complete this step.
Start in a corner that is furthest from the door or entryway to avoid walking over your clean floors to complete this process.
Apply the NWP Floor Soap solution by soaking a mop head, and spreading over an area. Then, buffer that area. Do not leave any excessive amounts of solution on the floor. It must be soaked up with a dry mop to prevent any water pooling.
5. Leave the floor to dry for a minimum of 30 minutes. A dry cloth can be used, but is not required. A fan can also be used to speed up the drying process. The wood surface must be clean, free of any dirt in the grain, dust-free, and completely dry before proceeding to the next step.
Note: for heavily contaminated floors or on floors with heavy textures, it might be necessary to repeat steps 4 and 5 before proceeding to step 6, to ensure the floor is clean and all dirt and dust removed from the grain.
6. Colour damage repairs (if applicable) - In instances where there are small colour damaged areas, refer to the stain removal and small spot repairs section noted on pages 12-14. This step must be done after step 5 and prior to moving to step 7. If not applicable, proceed to step 7.
Once colouring treatment is done, you must leave it to dry for approx. 12-18 Hours before proceeding with the next steps.
STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE RENOVATION PROCESS
(CONTINUED)
7. Applying the top coat protection - Add one can of NWP 2K Hardener Additive (50 ml) to a can of NWP Specialty Hardwax Oil (0.75 L). Stir and mix thoroughly, then empty into the tray and start applying to the floor.
Note: the Specialty Hardwax Oil (0.75 L) with the 2K Hardener Additive (50 ml) will cover approximately 250 sq ft. And will also begin to thicken & harden in the paint tray within 1 to 2 hours after being mixed. To maintain usage, it should be frequently stirred.
Apply the hardwax oil mixture thinly, in 2’-3’ strips using a Northern Wide Plank floor roller or an NWP approved alternative. It must be worked well into the floor and the lines must be overlapped when applying. Be careful not to spread too thin. For heavily textured floors such as shrunk surface products, use extra care to work the hardwax oil mixture well into the grain.
8. Leave to dry for at least 8 - 10 hours. Ensure there is good ventilation and the room temperature is above 18°c.
NWP FLOOR SOAP
NWP SPECIALTY HARDWAX OIL
NWP 2K HARDENER ADDITIVE
CURRENT VERSION: AUGUST 9, 2024 REPLACED VERSION: MARCH 22, 2023
5930 LLOYDTOWN/AURORA ROAD, SCHOMBERG, ON 877/763/6169 INFO@NORTHERNWIDEPLANK.CA