Finishes are vital to protecting the beauty and performance of hardwood cabinetry, flooring and millwork. And while these will always be important considerations for today's consumers, the health of ...

The Fix: Switch to a pH-neutral cleaner made specifically for hardwood floors. You want a sleaner that is designed to lift dirt and grime without leaving residue or harming the finish. Regular use of ...

– The finish is probably wax if you can feel the grain when you run your hand over the floor. To be sure, try to smudge the floor surface with your fingertip, or scrape the surface with a fingernail ...

Old wood floor finishes in some homes may be an overlooked source of exposure to the now banned environmental pollutants polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). PCBs are persistent organic pollutants ...

Q: We hired a local handyman to help renovate a bathroom and rework two entry-area closets into a unified closet with bi-fold doors. This meant replacing some of the wide-plank pine floorboards in our ...

Take off your shoes. High heels leave dents in hardwood, and dirty shoes leave scuffs and scratches. Use the right cleaners. Skip harsh cleaners that contain ammonia, bleach, or undiluted vinegar. Don ...

It's a thrill akin to finding buried treasure -- that moment when you rip up the dusty carpets of your newly purchased home and discover that (bingo!) there are hardwood floors underneath. Wooden ...

One of the more common DIY projects is staining and re-finishing the many wood items around the home, such as doors, cabinets, furniture or floors. While picking the right stain is a vital part of any ...

This approach stops grit from scratching the surface and protects that delicate finish from water damage and harsh chemicals. Knowing how to properly clean hardwood is less about elbow grease and more ...