How to Care for Bamboo Flooring

Sweep bamboo floors weekly or more often in high traffic areas, as dirt and dust can become ground into the flooring and can cause scratches if not removed promptly. Bamboo flooring is typically coated with urethane, which protects from stains and wear. Mop urethane-coated bamboo floors with a mop that’s dampened slightly with water and a few drops of mild dish detergent. Bamboo floors that are coated with wax require special care.

Remove stains from waxed bamboo floors by rubbing lightly with fine steel wool and applying a fresh coat of wax. For bamboo floors with urethane finishes, rub the stain lightly along the grain with a small amount of mineral spirits or purchase a spot cleaner from a flooring retailer.

To maintain the shine on waxed bamboo floors, wax seasonally or more frequently if floors become dull. Do not wax urethane-coated floors, as waxing can make it difficult to refinish the floor should that become necessary.

Sand minor scratches out of waxed bamboo floors and reapply wax. Use a urethane touch-up kit, available from flooring retailers, to remove minor scratches from urethane-coated floors. Both waxed and urethane-coated bamboo floors can be refinished if they become heavily scratched. Consult a flooring retailer for guidance.