Lacquered floor care

A lacquered (polyurethane) floor is sealed by a clear film on top of the wood — water beads on the surface, there’s a visible sheen, and it feels slightly glassy underfoot. This is the most common finish on modern factory-finished engineered timber and solid timber floors installed in NZ since the 1990s.

Not sure if your floor is lacquered? Our 60-second floor finish identification guide will confirm it with three quick tests.

What’s in Our Lacquered Floor Care Range

• Neutral-pH cleaners for everyday use — Bona Wood Floor Cleaner, Ciranova Hard Floor Cleaner, Admonter Wood Floor Cleaner, First Floor Wood Floor Cleaner.
• Spray mop kits matched to lacquered finishes — Bona Spray Mop Kit (lacquered version).
• Refreshers to extend the life of the lacquer between recoats — Bona Wood Floor Refresher 1L, Floor Service Parquet Polish Mat (for matt-lacquered floors).
• Protection products — GrainGuard for added wear resistance on high-traffic areas.

Which lacquered floor cleaner should I choose?

• FirstFloor Wood Floor Cleaner – our own concentrated neutral-pH cleaner for lacquered wood floors. Gentle, water-based, and great value for everyday use.
• Bona Wood Floor Cleaner + Bona Spray Mop – the most convenient daily-cleaning system. Works every time, minimal effort.
• Ciranova Hard Floor Cleaner – the specialist choice for parquet and premium European engineered floors. Slightly more concentrated than Bona.
• Admonter Wood Floor Cleaner – the right choice for white-stained, limed, or whitewashed lacquered floors.

Lacquered Floor Care Rhythm

• Daily/weekly: sweep or vacuum (no beater bar), then damp clean with a neutral-pH cleaner on a microfibre pad.
• Annually or semi-annually: apply a refresher to high-traffic zones. Bona Refresher bonds to the existing lacquer and extends its life without recoating. For added protection between refreshes, top up with GrainGuard as a maintenance coat on high-traffic zones.
• Every 7–15 years (depends on use and traffic): professional recoat — sand-screen plus new lacquer top coat. Some floors will accept several recoats before a full sand-back is needed.

What to Avoid on Lacquered Floors

• Oil-based products. They sit on the lacquer and don’t penetrate, leaving a slick, cloudy film.
• Wax-based polishes. Same issue — wax on lacquer creates a residue that’s very difficult to remove.
• Vinegar. Etches lacquer over time, dulling the finish permanently.
• Steam mops. Damages the lacquer’s bond to the wood and can raise the grain.
• Oiled-floor cleaners. Soap-based cleaners on lacquer leave a residue and won’t rinse clean.

Choose by Brand

• Bona — Wood Floor Cleaner (2.5L + spray), Spray Mop kit, Wood Floor Refresher. The most comprehensive lacquered-floor range.
• Ciranova — Hard Floor Cleaner, Hard Floor Fresh (refresher), Unicare X Matt (for matt-lacquered floors).
• Admonter — Wood Floor Cleaner, White Hardwood Floor Cleaner.
• Floor Service NL — Parquet Polish Mat (specialist for matt-lacquered parquet).

Frequently asked questions – lacquered floors

How do I know when my lacquered floor needs a refresher?
When high-traffic areas look noticeably duller than less-used parts of the floor, or when cleaning no longer restores the sheen. The refresher extends the life of the original finish by 2-5 years in typical residential use.Can I use a lacquered-floor cleaner on engineered timber?
Yes – most engineered timber floors are factory-lacquered. Keep the mop damp rather than wet to protect the subfloor core.My lacquered floor looks streaky after cleaning – what’s causing it?
Most likely an oil-based or wax-based product has been used previously. Try a diluted Ciranova Intensive Cleaner orcontact us for advice.Does Bona Wood Floor Refresher change the sheen level of my floor?
It broadly matches the sheen of the existing lacquer. If your floor is a true ultra-matt, use theFloor Service NL Parquet Polish Mat instead.How long between professional recoats?
In a typical NZ home with regular cleaning and annual refresher applications, most lacquered floors go 10-15 years before a professional recoat is needed.

Related Guides

• Lacquered timber floor maintenance — full guide
• How to tell if your floor is oiled, lacquered or waxed
• Comparison of timber floor cleaners
• All floor care guides →

Read the full lacquered floor maintenance guide →