Cleaning
Once your floor has been treated with polyurethane it is important to never use any cleanser containing wax or any agent which will leave a film or residue. Doing so makes buffing and applying additional coats of polyurethane impossible. Here are two ways to properly clean your floor:

• Polycare (product that can be found at your local hardware store)
• Combination one gallon warm water to one cup white vinegar, using lightly dampened sponge mop

Apply felt pads to the bottoms of all chairs, tables and any other furniture that is or can be dragged across the floor. Better to be safe than sorry!

Position a small rug in front of doorways that lead to the outside of your home. Any grit that gets trapped on the bottom of your shoes can be just as harsh as sandpaper. Simply placing a rug for rubbing off your shoes can add years to the life of your floor.

Use runners and area rugs wherever traffic flow is heaviest in your home. A little strategic rug placement will slow down the wearing process.

Eventually no matter how well you maintain your floor, a buffing and recoating will be required. Detecting problem spots before grit, dirt, and/or moisture has come in contact with the bare wood can save you both time and money involved with resanding.