Humidity Control for Hardwood Stairs & Trim: Prevent Gaps, Squeaks & Separation If you’re wondering what humidity level protects hardwood stair treads and trim, here’s the short answer: keep indoor relative humidity (RH) between 35–55% year-round, with 40–45% RH in winter and 45–55% RH in summer, at 60–80°F. After 20+ years in flooring, I can […]
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How to Clean Greasy Wood Kitchen Cabinets Without Damaging the Finish Kitchen grease is a slow, sneaky invader—one day your cabinets look fine, the next they feel tacky and look dull. The good news: you can remove cooking grease from wood cabinets without stripping the finish or risking swelling, warping, or discoloration. Below you’ll find
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How to Repair Scratches in Hardwood Floors: Complete Guide by Severity Level If you’re staring at scratches on your hardwood floors, breathe. Most marks can be minimized dramatically without a full refinish. My rule of thumb after 15+ years in the field: the goal is to make the damage 70–90% less visible, not “invisible.” Managing
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Wax vs Oil vs Spray — Comparison for Furniture Quick plan (what you’ll get): Understanding Wood Polish Types and Purposes What Polish Actually Does (vs Cleaner) Polish enhances sheen, feel, and minor protection. Cleaners remove grime. If you trap dust and body oils under a polish, you seal in the problem. Always clean first (a
Sand & Refinish vs Screen & Recoat — Complete Comparison Guide If you’re weighing screen and recoat vs refinishing, you’re in the right place. This decision guide explains the difference between a quick buff & coat (screen & recoat) and a full sand & refinish, when each method makes sense, the real costs, timelines, durability,
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Food-Safe Wood Oil for Cutting Boards & Countertops Authoritative, practical, and battle-tested advice from a woodworker who’s finished hundreds of boards and consulted for commercial kitchens. Why Food-Safe Matters: Understanding Oil Safety When you oil a cutting board or butcher block, you’re literally rubbing a substance into a surface that touches raw veggies, meats, and
Remove Water Stains from Wood Furniture If you’ve ever discovered a ghostly white ring on your walnut coffee table or a dark spot on an oak nightstand, you know the panic. After 15+ years restoring furniture, here’s my straight-talk guide to removing water stains—what really works, what sometimes works, and when to stop before you
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Durability & Maintenance Comparison If you’re comparing polyurethane vs oil finish for hardwood floors, you’re really choosing between a film-forming shield and a penetrating treatment. After installing and finishing thousands of square feet, here’s the no-spin, data-driven breakdown—plus what actually holds up in homes with kids, pets, and real life. Understanding the Two Finish Systems
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pH-Neutral & No-Residue Options TL;DR (buyer’s snapshot): For most homes, a pH-neutral hardwood floor cleaner that leaves no sticky film and works streak-free with a microfiber mop is the sweet spot. In my field tests, Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner remains the pro standard (especially for high traffic), while Method Squirt + Mop Wood Floor Cleaner
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Complete Guide by Wood Species & Finish If you want hardwood floor care by species that actually works long-term, start with this rule I drill into every client: match your cleaner to your finish—not your wood species. After hundreds of residential and commercial jobs, I’ve seen beautiful floors ruined in months by “all-purpose” products that
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