Step 1: Try Wiping Up the MoldShow All ItemsThere are several ways to remove dust from a sanded floor without damaging the wood. Wood floors bring style and classic elegance to your home, whether in a dining room, bedroom or workshop. Just as there are many places to find a sanded wood floor, there are as many ways to clean dust from the floors. Each method depends on the next step you plan for the floor. A fine wood floor that is going to be treated with a fresh coat of polyurethane in a dining room is cleaned differently than bare floor in a hobby workshop. Dust Mopping An effective way to remove dust from a floor in your home is the classic dust mop. Dust mops are soft, so they will not damage or scratch your floor. Also, dust mops allow you to maneuver around furniture without lifting the mop head from the floor. This keeps dust on the floor, rather than flying into the air, which is common when using a broom. Dust mops come in a variety of sizes, from 12-inch models that are ideal for your home, to 60-inch behemoths that are used to clean gymnasium floors.

Vacuuming Dust can easily be removed from a wood floor with a vacuum. Choose the proper vacuum attachments to avoid scratches and other damage to the floor. Metal parts, such as found on an open wand pipe, can gouge wood. Beater bars are effective on carpet but often throw more dust in the air than they pick up on bare, hard floors. A soft-bristle floor attachment connected to a canister vacuum wand is ideal. Another safe option is a flat, plastic head, as is often found on workshop vacuums. On an upright vacuum with a beater bar, the hard-floor setting that only turns on the vacuum motor without engaging the beater bar is the best choice. Sweeping Compound A home workshop is a hobbyist's dream spot. Don't let the dream become a nightmare because of dirty wood floors. Workshops are prone to sawdust and other debris from craft making. To clean the area without casting dust into the air, sprinkle sweeping compound on the floor prior to cleaning. Sweeping compound is a powdery substance that is engineered to attract and trap dust and other small debris during the cleaning process;

more importantly, sweeping compound is designed to stay on the floor, which prevents dust clouds from forming. Mineral Spirits Sanded wood floors that do not have a protective coat of polyurethane should not be cleaned with water, unless you want to risk unsightly water rings. best steam cleaner for upholstery ukYet, a more thorough way of cleaning the fine dust particles from a sanded wood floor left behind after vacuuming or dust mopping. national duct cleaning companyA rag soaked with mineral spirits, a water-free liquid solvent, commonly known as paint thinner, can be used to safely clean a wood. duct cleaning equipment greaseThis process is known as "tacking," which is labor-intensive work done on hands and knees. best leather cleaner honda

The National Wood Floor Association recommends using only 100-percent virgin mineral spirits for wood floor tacking; the recycled mineral spirits can be saved for other applications, such as cleaning paint brushes. what is the best way to clean vinyl mini blindsWorker Safely Excercise appropriate caution when working around your home. best way to clean greasy stove hoodMineral spirits is a flammable solvent labeled as a toxic chemical in some states. Use only in areas with plenty of ventilation, away from open flames and sparks. Wear protective gear, such as chemical resistant gloves and goggles. For general wood floor cleaning, cloth work gloves and a dust mask may be needed. : /Getty Images Suggest a CorrectionMinwax® Super Fast-Drying Polyurethane for Floors is a clear, oil-based, durable, protective finish specifically formulated for use on hardwood floors.

Minwax® Super Fast-Drying Polyurethane for Floors is a clear, oil-based, durable, protective finish specifically formulated for use on hardwood floors. Superior durability for hardwood floors. Optimized drying technology results in faster recoat time between coats. No sanding required between coats. Advanced anti-settling formula ensures less stirring and fewer highs and lows across large surfaces, resulting in an even sheen.Removal of old paint by sanding, scraping or other means may generate dust or fumes that contain lead. Exposure to lead dust or fumes may cause brain damage or other adverse health effects, especially in children or pregnant women. Controlling exposure to lead or other hazardous substances requires the use of proper protective equipment such as a properly fitted respirator (NIOSH approved) and proper containment and cleanup. For more information, call the National Lead Information Center at 1-800-424-LEAD (in US) or contact your local health authority.

STEP 1: SAND THE FLOOR Whether you have a bare wood floor, or a wood floor that already has a finish on it, you will need to sand the floor to prepare it for finishing. Rent or purchase a floor sander. Follow the sander manufacturer's directions to prepare your floor. You will need to sand the floor down to bare wood if: You can do a""screen and recoat"" if: For a ""screen and recoat"", there is no need to remove your existing floor finish. Instead, you can simply ""screen"" the existing finish to prepare it for the addition of new finish. For all floors, follow the sander manufacture's directions for your type of project. Remove all sanding dust. STEP 2: APPLY MINWAX® WOOD FINISH™ STAIN (OPTIONAL) If you have sanded the floor down to bare wood, or you have a new, unfinished wood floor, and you'd like to add color to it, you can stain the floor. Sand and prepare the floor according to the sander manufacture's directions, ending with 100 grit sandpaper or equivalent.

Apply Minwax® Wood Finish™ Stain following the directions on the Wood Finish can. Wait 8-12 hours (according to the directions on the Wood Finish label) for the stain to dry, and then apply Minwax® Super Fast-Drying Polyurethane for Floors. STEP 3: APPLY MINWAX® SUPER FAST-DRYING POLYURETHANE FOR FLOORS If you are applying Super Fast-Drying Polyurethane for Floors to bare wood, apply a third coat, following the steps above. If this is a ""screen and recoat"", or if you are applying Super-Fast Drying Polyurethane for Floors over stain only two coats are required. Note: Sanding is not required between coats, but for maximum smoothness, you can choose to sand before the final coat, using 220 grit sandpaper or equivalent. Allow 3-4 hours dry time before you sand. Do not sand if the film is still tacky. The product appears dark in the can, but dries clear. Floor will bear light foot traffic in 12-18 hours. Avoid heavy traffic, and do not install rugs or clean floors for seven days.

When replacing furniture, do not slide. If Minwax® Sanding Sealer is used prior to Super Fast-Drying Polyurethane for Floors, apply following the label directions. Wait a minimum of two hours before sanding, and apply two coats of Super Fast-Drying Polyurethane for Floors. Floor will accommodate light foot traffic 12-18 hours after the final coat of Minwax® Super Fast-Drying Polyurethane for Floors. Avoid heavy traffic and do not replace furniture for 72 hours after the final coat of Minwax® Super Fast-Drying Polyurethane for Floors. Do not install rugs or clean floors for 7 days to allow finish to cure properly. To clean floors protected by Minwax® Super Fast-Drying Polyurethane for Floors, we recommend a gentle cleaner such as Minwax® Hardwood Floor Cleaner. CLEANUP: For easy clean-up, use mineral spirits or paint thinner. COVERAGE: Approximately 600-700 sq. ft. per gallon Note: Above dry times are based on good ventilation, temperature of 77°F and 50% relative humidity.

Lower temperature, higher humidity, lack of air movement or application of thick coats will extend drying times. Always test surface for tackiness between coats. Do not re-coat when surface is tacky. Slight ambering may be experienced when polyurethane is applied over light-colored wood surfaces. Always spot test on an inconspicuous area to ensure satisfactory results. NOTE: The product may appear slightly dark or purple in the can, but it dries clear. DANGER: Rags, steel wool, other waste soaked with this product, and sanding residue may spontaneously catch fire if improperly discarded. Immediately place rags, steel wool, other waste soaked with this product, and sanding residue in a sealed, water-filled, metal container. Dispose of in accordance with local fire regulations.Keep away from heat and open flame.Use only with adequate ventilation. To avoid overexposure, open windows and doors or use other means to ensure fresh air entry during application and drying. If you experience eye watering, headaches, or dizziness, increase fresh air, or wear respiratory protection (NIOSH approved) or leave the area.