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How to Maintain Lacquered Wooden Floors in London
Published on 30 Mar 2021
How to Maintain Lacquered Wooden Floors in London: The Complete Guide 🏡✨
Lacquered wooden floors bring a timeless elegance to London homes and businesses — from Edwardian houses in Hampstead to sleek riverside flats in Canary Wharf. A well-kept lacquer finish not only shows off the natural grain of your wood, but also shields it from the knocks and spills of daily life.
But here’s the truth: even the toughest lacquer needs a bit of care to keep it looking its best. With the right routine, you can avoid premature wear, stop dull patches forming, and put off the day when sanding becomes necessary.
If you’d rather not tackle it yourself, our Wood Floor Cleaning in London and Wood Floor Sanding and Refinishing services are here to help.
🧹 Daily & Weekly Care – Keep the Shine Without Wearing the Finish
Everyday grit is the enemy. Even a small bit of dust can act like sandpaper under your feet. That’s why regular cleaning is your first line of defence:
💡 London tip: If you live near busy roads (think Camden High Street or Brixton) dust builds up faster — you may need to vacuum more often.
🧽 What to Do About Stubborn Marks & Scuffs
Even with good habits, marks happen — a dropped mug in the kitchen, muddy footprints after a Hampstead Heath walk, or scuffs from a chair leg.
Here’s how to deal with them:
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For greasy spots or stubborn dirt, use Pallmann Clean Strong cautiously — while it’s formulated for use on lacquered floors, it can damage the finish if overused. Work with it gently, adjusting dilution, temperature, and dwell time to suit the floor’s condition. You can read more about safe cleaning methods in our Basics of Cleaning Everything guide.
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Always test in an out-of-the-way spot first to be sure there’s no reaction.
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For cloudy patches or a tired-looking sheen, a polish with Pallmann Finish Care or Finish Care Stop can revive the sheen.
✨ Polishing & Refreshing – Bring Back the Glow
In high-traffic areas — like hallways in Islington flats or busy café floors in Shoreditch — a lacquer finish can start to look tired sooner.
A light polish every 6–12 months will:
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Restore gloss and even out dull areas.
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Fill in micro-scratches before they get worse.
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Extend the time before you need a recoat.
💡 Pro insight: We often combine polishing with a professional deep clean. The result is brighter, smoother floors in just a few hours.
🔄 When to Recoat Your Lacquered Floor
Recoating is the in-between stage — more than a polish, less than a full sanding. It’s ideal if the finish is thinning but the wood underneath is still untouched.
Signs you’re ready for a recoat:
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The surface looks dull and feels rough in patches.
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You can see light scratches that don’t clean out.
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Water no longer beads on the surface.
It’s quicker, cheaper, and less disruptive than sanding — but if you’ve already got bare timber showing, you’ve missed the window and full sanding is your only option.
How to Maintain Lacquered Wooden Floors in London: Step-by-Step Guide
Lacquered wooden floors are a beautiful investment — and with the right care, they’ll keep their glow for decades. Follow these steps to protect your floor’s finish, reduce wear, and avoid the need for premature sanding.
Step 1 – Sweep or Vacuum Daily to Remove Grit
Why: Grit and dust act like sandpaper underfoot, scratching away at the lacquer.
How:
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Use a vacuum with a soft-bristle attachment or a broom with fine bristles.
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Focus on high-traffic areas first — hallways, kitchens, living rooms.
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If you live in busy or dusty London areas (e.g., near Camden High Street or Brixton), you may need to vacuum twice daily.
Tools: Soft-bristle vacuum head, broom.
Result: The floor stays free of debris that can scratch or dull the lacquer.
Step 2 – Mop Weekly with a pH-Neutral Cleaner
Why: Light mopping lifts fine dust and keeps the finish clean without over-wetting the wood.
How:
- Use a flat microfibre mop and a pH-neutral cleaner designed for lacquered floors (e.g., Pallmann Neutral Cleaner).
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Wring the mop out thoroughly to keep moisture to a minimum.
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Mop in the direction of the wood grain for a streak-free finish.
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Avoid bleach, vinegar, washing-up liquid, or steam mops — they can damage or cloud the lacquer.
Supplies: Pallmann Neutral Cleaner (or equivalent), microfibre mop, bucket.
Result: A clean, streak-free surface without compromising the lacquer.
Step 3 – Tackle Spills Immediately
Why: Moisture can seep into floor joints and edges, lifting the lacquer or staining the wood.
How:
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Blot up spills with a dry cloth as soon as they happen.
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For sticky residues, lightly dampen the cloth with pH-neutral cleaner.
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Never leave standing water on the surface.
Tools: Soft absorbent cloth, pH-neutral cleaner.
Result: Stains and water damage are avoided.
Step 4 – Remove Stubborn Marks Safely
Why: Heavy-handed cleaning can strip the lacquer.
How:
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For greasy spots or stubborn dirt, use Pallmann Clean Strong in a diluted form.
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Apply with a soft cloth or mop, working in small sections.
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Rinse the area with clean water afterwards.
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Always test on an inconspicuous patch before tackling the main floor.
Supplies: Pallmann Clean Strong, clean water, soft cloth.
Result: Marks are removed without harming the finish.
Step 5 – Polish Every 6–12 Months
Why: Polishing restores sheen, fills micro-scratches, and delays the need for recoating.
How:
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Clean the floor thoroughly first.
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Apply a thin, even coat of Pallmann Finish Care or Finish Care Stop.
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Allow to dry fully before walking on the surface.
Supplies: Pallmann Finish Care / Finish Care Stop, clean applicator pad.
Result: Even sheen and protection refreshed.
Step 6 – Recoat When the Finish Thins
Why: A timely recoat adds a new protective layer, preventing full sanding later.
How:
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Look for signs: dullness, rough texture, light scratches that don’t clean out, water no longer beading.
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Clean and lightly sand the existing lacquer.
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Apply a bonding primer (e.g., Pall-X 350) followed by two coats of lacquer (e.g., Pall-X 98).
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Leave to cure as per product instructions before resuming heavy use.
Supplies: Bonding primer, high-quality lacquer, sanding pad.
Result: Protection restored without removing layers of wood.
Step 7 – Protect from Scratches & Wear
Why: Prevention is cheaper than repair.
How:
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Fit felt pads under all furniture legs.
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Place mats at every entrance to trap grit.
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Avoid walking on the floor in shoes with sharp heels or trapped stones.
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Keep indoor humidity between 40–60% to prevent lacquer cracking in London’s seasonal climate.
Tools: Felt pads, entrance mats, hygrometer.
Result: A longer-lasting lacquer finish with fewer repairs.
Step 8 – Call in the Professionals When Needed
Why: Some jobs — like stain removal on heritage floors or large-scale recoating — require specialist tools and expertise.
How:
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Contact a reputable London wood floor care company with Pallmann certification.
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Request a tailored maintenance plan for your floor’s wood type and finish.
Result: Peace of mind and a floor that stays beautiful for decades.
⚖️ Oil vs Lacquer – Which Works Best in London Homes?
Lacquer creates a sealed surface, perfect for busy homes and commercial spaces. It’s easier to clean and stands up well to heavy foot traffic.
Oil, on the other hand, soaks into the wood and gives a more natural, matte finish — but it needs more regular care unless it is 2k oil.
Find out more in our oil vs lacquer blog.
🌦️ London Climate & Floor Care
London’s humidity swings — from damp winters to dry centrally-heated rooms — can cause wood to expand and contract. Keep indoor humidity around 40–60% to reduce gaps and prevent the lacquer from cracking. See more in Humidity for Solid Wood Floors blog.
Other local tips:
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Mats at every entrance to catch grit and moisture.
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Felt pads under chairs and tables.
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More frequent cleaning in ground-floor flats and shopfronts where dirt gets tracked in daily.
👷♂️ DIY or Professional? Knowing When to Call for Help
Daily cleaning and the odd polish are fine for most homeowners. But recoating, stain removal on heritage floors, or anything involving sanding should be left to the pros.
We’ve been caring for London floors for over 20 years — from Victorian pine in Hackney to modern engineered oak in Chelsea. Whether it’s a quick refresh or a full restoration, we’ll help your floors stay beautiful for decades.
