Initial Care for Dura-Satin Wax finish floors

Following installation, darker shaded floors should be waxed with Dark 'n' Rich and light shaded floors should be waxed with Lite 'n' Natural 

Routine Care

Sweep or vacuum the floor to remove loose dirt before it can scratch or be ground into the floor's surface. Wax the floor once or twice a year, about as often as you would shampoo your carpet. DO NOT use Bruce No-Wax Cleaner on wax finish floors. 

Periodic Care

Buffing your hardwood floor between waxing will restore the original sheen. Large, heavy weight buffing machines impart a much higher sheen to wax finish than small, lightweight machines. Use a fiber bristle brush attachment only. It may be desirable to wax the floor slightly more often in drier climates, during the winter, and in heavy traffic areas. 

An Ounce of Prevention

Never clean or wet mop your Bruce hardwood floor with water. Do not use any wax or cleaner that must be mixed with water such as oil soap, as this may ruin your floor and result in a loss of warranty. Water can dull the finish and permanently damage the floor. 

If your floor abuts exterior doors, put outside door mats at the entrances to keep dirt and moisture from being tracked in. Inside, you may want to add an area rug to further prevent dirt and moisture from being tracked onto your hardwood floor. Don't use rubber, foam back, or plastic mats as they may discolor the floor. To prevent slippage of area rugs, use an approved vinyl rug underlay from a reputable manufacturer. 

Area rugs should be moved occasionally as they block sunlight which may give the appearance of discoloring under the rug.

Use Bruce floor protectors on the feet of furniture to avoid scratches. Bruce has several sizes of floor protector pads available. When moving heavy furniture or appliances, use extra caution to help avoid scratching, indentations, and gouging. Some objects may be too heavy to be moved across a hardwood floor under any circumstances. 

Certain types of casters on furniture may damage hardwood flooring. Barrel-type caster wheels or wide, flat glides are best for protecting your hardwood floor. If your furniture does not have the right type of caster, we recommend that you change them. 

A humidifier is recommended to prevent excessive shrinkage of wood floors due to low humidity levels. Wood stoves and electric heat tend to cause very dry conditions. A humidity level of 35-55% is recommended. 

In damp conditions, proper humidity levels can be maintained with an air conditioner or dehumidifier, or by periodically turning on your heating system during the summer months. 

Spike or stiletto high-heel shoes, especially those in poor repair, may cause denting and related damage to hardwood floors due to the extremely high compressive force they generate. Such footwear can produce dynamic loads in excess of 1000 pounds per square inch, even when worn by someone of slight or average build. Bruce will not accept claims from damages which arise from such exposure. 

Tips on Repairing Blemishes

Most problems can be prevented or minimized by wiping up any spills immediately. We have provided some common first aid procedures for spot cleaning and touch-up/repair of your Bruce Dura-Satin wax finish floor. When removing a spot, always begin at the outer edge and work towards the center to prevent the spot from spreading. Keep a Bruce Touch-Up Kit which blends with your factory-stained floors available. This kit contains all the materials you will need to handle most of the accidents listed here. 

Repair Tips on Dura-Satin Wax Finish Floors

Spots Caused by Food or Water

Rub lightly with a Bruce Scrub Pad dampened with either Dark 'n' Rich or Lite 'n' Natural. If this does not remove the spot, repeat the process with Clean 'n' Strip. Wipe dry and rub on a little wax. Then buff with a clean cloth, or the dry end of a Bruce Scrub Pad. 

Dark (Animal) Spots

Try the above treatment for spots. If the stain hasn't been there too long, it may come up quickly. If the spot remains, apply household bleach to the spot (or oxalic acid from your druggist); let stand about an hour, rinse with a damp cloth, wipe dry, and smooth with a fine sandpaper. Touch up the spot with a Bruce Touch-Up Marker which will blend with your factory-stained floors. Let the stain dry, then wax and buff with a clean cloth or dry Bruce Scrub Pad. (Protect your hands from the oxalic acid with rubber gloves.) 

Greasy Spots

Rub spot with a Bruce Scrub Pad soaked with Dark 'n' Rich or Lite 'n' Natural. If the stain persists, repeat the process using Clean 'n' Strip. Then apply a light coat of Dark 'n' Rich or Lite 'n' Natural. Let dry, then buff with a clean cloth or the dry end of a Bruce Scrub Pad. This remedy works well on lipsticks, crayon, and heel marks. 

Ink Spots

Try household bleach or the oxalic acid treatment. Or lightly sand, wipe dry, and retouch with Bruce Touch-Up Marker which will blend with your factory stained floors. Let stain dry, then wax with Dark 'n' Rich or Lite 'n' Natural and buff with a clean cloth, or a dry Bruce Scrub Pad. 

Cigarette Burns

If the burn is not too deep. Rub with medium and fine sandpaper. Restain with a Bruce Touch-Up Marker. Let stain dry, then wax with Dark 'n' Rich or Lite 'n' Natural, then buff with a clean cloth. If the burn is rather deep, lightly scrape the burned area with a pen knife to remove charred fibers. Rub area with medium and fine sandpaper, then stain with a Bruce Touch-Up Marker which will blend with your factory-stained floors. Let dry, then wax and buff with a clean cloth or a dry Bruce Scrub Pad. 

Chewing Gum, Candle Wax

Apply a plastic bag filled with ice on top of the deposit until it becomes brittle enough to crumble off. Clean 'n' Strip can be helpful in removing stubborn areas. After deposit has been removed from the surface of the floor, re-wax and buff the entire area. 

Wax Build-Up

Occasionally, wood floors become unsightly or lose their shine because of successive layers of old wax. To restore their natural beauty, strip old wax away with Clean 'n' Strip. Let dry and re-wax with Dark 'n' Rich or Lite 'n' Natural. Let dry, then buff to desired sheen. 

Expansion Cracks and Squeaks

Hardwood floors are affected by two distinct humidity seasons - heating and non-heating. Recognizing that wood floor dimensions will be slightly affected by varying levels of humidity, care should be taken to control humidity levels within the 35-55% range. If humid or damp weather causes a slight expansion in your hardwood floor, the edges of boards may rub together, producing a squeak. For solid oak floors, a liberal amount of liquid wax or talcum powder between the squeaking boards will usually quiet things down. For engineered, glued-down floors with squeaking boards or loose popping sounds, inquire about the Bruce Adhesive Repair Kit at your local retailer. Avoid excessive exposure to water from tracking during periods of inclement weather, Do not obstruct the expansion joints around the perimeter of your floors. 

Refurbishing Scratched Areas

Scratches on Dura-Satin floor can be easily refurbished by using a Bruce Touch-Up Kit that blends with your factory stained floor color.