Your hardwood floors don't always need full sanding and refinishing. If your floor is structurally sound but starting to look dull, scratched, or tired — a professional Deep Clean or Floor Refresh (screen & recoat) can restore them in one day, at a fraction of the cost. After 18 years in Chicago, here's exactly when each service makes sense — and what happens if you skip maintenance entirely.
In this guide
The three services explained
Floor Refresh vs. full refinishing
Bona Deep Clean — what it does
Products that can prevent screen & recoat
What happens if you skip maintenance
Hardwood stair refresh
What to expect on the day
Perfect timing: schedule around your vacation
FLOORecki Annual Floor Check
Costs in Chicago 2026
FAQ
The Three Services — What Each One Does
🧹 Bona Deep Clean
From $1.00–$1.50/sq ft
Professional scrubber machine + Bona Deep Clean solution. Removes built-up grime, grease, cleaning product residue, and pet odors that regular mopping can't reach. No sanding, no downtime.
✨ Floor Refresh (Screen & Recoat)
From $1.50/sq ft
Light buffing (screening) of the existing finish + a fresh coat of Bona Traffic HD. Removes minor surface scratches and scuffs. Restores sheen and protection. One day, no heavy sanding.
🪵 Full Refinishing
From $4.00–$5.75/sq ft
Complete sand to bare wood + stain + 3 coats of Bona Traffic HD. Required for deep scratches, dents, significant discoloration, or stain color change. 3–4 days minimum.
The big picture: Think of it like car maintenance. Deep Clean is a professional detail. Floor Refresh is a paint touch-up. Full refinishing is a complete respray. Most floors only need full refinishing once every 10–20 years — the services in between keep them looking great for much less money.
Floor Refresh vs. Full Refinishing — How to Decide
✅ Floor Refresh works when:
→ Floor is flat — no raised edges from moisture
→ Only minor surface scratches and scuffs
→ Finish is wearing but not completely gone
→ No significant discoloration or staining
→ You want to keep the same stain color
→ Floor was last refinished 5–10 years ago
⚠️ Full refinishing needed when:
→ Deep scratches that catch your fingernail
→ Boards cupping or raised edges (moisture damage)
→ Heavy discoloration, pet stains, water damage
→ Finish completely worn through to bare wood
→ You want to change the stain color
→ Floor hasn't been refinished in 15–20+ years
Stain touch-ups during Refresh: Depending on your floor's color and condition, we can sometimes do minor stain touch-ups in high-wear areas during a Floor Refresh — minimizing visible discoloration and potentially saving the cost of full refinishing for several more years. Ask us about this at the estimate.
Bona Deep Clean — What Regular Mopping Can't Do
Even the best mop usually just pushes dirt around the surface. Over time, a thin layer of residue builds up — kitchen grease, cleaning product film, pet residue — making floors look dull and "tired" even though the finish may still be in good condition.
What Bona Deep Clean removes:
- Built-up kitchen grease — especially near stoves and cooking areas
- Cleaning product residue — many household cleaners leave a matting film over time
- Dirt embedded in finish micropores — invisible to the eye but dulls the surface
- Shoe and rubber marks from high-traffic areas
- Pet residue and odors — especially in homes with dogs or cats
- High-traffic corridor buildup — hallways and entryways accumulate the most
Deep Clean before Floor Refresh — always: We always recommend a Bona Deep Clean before screen & recoat. A clean surface means significantly better adhesion for the new top coat. Bona also has a specialized prep system specifically designed for recoat — it removes contamination that regular cleaning misses and dramatically improves how well the new finish bonds to the existing one. Book both together and get a 20% bundle discount on the Floor Refresh.
⚠️ Products That Can Prevent Screen & Recoat
This is something most homeowners don't know — and it's one of the most common problems we encounter. Many popular floor care products leave a residue that prevents new finish from bonding properly. If you've used any of these products, it doesn't necessarily mean you can't do a screen & recoat — but it requires proper prep first.
| Product | Problem | Can we recoat? |
|---|---|---|
| Bona Polish | Leaves a polymer film that prevents adhesion | ✅ Yes — with Bona recoat prep system |
| Rejuvenate | Silicone-based — very difficult to remove | ⚠️ Often not possible — test required |
| Mop & Glo / Future | Acrylic polymer buildup | ⚠️ Often not possible — test required |
| Murphy Oil Soap | Leaves oily residue that prevents bonding | ✅ Yes — with thorough Bona prep |
| Wax | Must be fully stripped — cannot recoat over wax | ❌ No — full strip required first |
| Bona Hardwood Cleaner | No residue — designed for Bona finishes | ✅ Always compatible |
The most common issue we see: Homeowners use Bona Polish (the liquid in the squeeze bottle) thinking it's the same as Bona Cleaner. It's not — Polish adds a layer that must be removed with Bona's recoat prep system before a screen & recoat can be done properly. Always use Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner for routine cleaning — not Polish, not Oil Soap, not generic floor cleaners.
What Happens If You Skip Maintenance
This is the story we see play out in Chicago homes more often than we'd like. It starts with something small.
Year 1–3: Minor surface scratches appear
Normal wear from daily life — shoes, furniture, pets. At this stage, a Floor Refresh handles everything in one day.
Year 3–5: Top coat starts wearing through
The protective finish thins in high-traffic areas. Scratches get deeper. Dirt and grime start accumulating in the micro-scratches — which accelerates wear further. A Refresh is still possible but more urgent.
Year 5–8: Bare wood exposed in high-traffic areas
The finish is gone in spots. Bare wood is now exposed to everyday moisture — from mopping, spills, humidity. The natural wood color becomes visible and uneven. Full refinishing is now required.
Year 8–12: Permanent staining begins
Moisture and grease penetrate into the wood fiber itself. Dark stains form — from water, pet accidents, cooking grease that reaches bare wood. Some stains cannot be sanded out and require individual board replacement. A project that would have cost $1,500 now costs $5,000+.
Year 12+: Board replacement during refinishing
Permanent moisture or grease stains that don't sand out require pulling individual boards and replacing them — matching old-growth Chicago hardwood is difficult and expensive. What started as a simple maintenance issue is now a major project.
The real cost of skipping maintenance: A Floor Refresh at year 3–5 costs $1,500–$2,500 for a typical Chicago main floor. Waiting until year 8–12 means full refinishing at $4,000–$6,000 — plus potential board replacement at $25–$50 per board. Maintenance isn't an expense. It's an investment that delays far larger costs.
Hardwood Stair Refresh
Stairs are the highest-traffic surface in any home — and the first place where finish wears through. Every step concentrates foot traffic on the same 4-6 inch strip of each tread. Without periodic maintenance, stair treads wear through significantly faster than main floor areas.
- Stair tread refresh (screen & recoat) — $30 per tread
- Same process as floor refresh — light screening + new coat of Bona Traffic HD
- Can be done at the same visit as a floor refresh for maximum efficiency
- White painted risers can be touched up at the same time if needed
- Bona anti-slip finish available for stair treads — grip without changing appearance
Bona anti-slip finish for stairs: For clients concerned about slip safety — especially with children or elderly family members — we can apply Bona's anti-slip coating to stair treads. This gives you the clean hardwood look with added grip. No runner needed, no change to the appearance.
What to Expect on the Day
1
Move furniture from the first room
You don't need to empty the whole house at once. We work room by room — move furniture from one room, complete the work, move to the next. Most furniture can be shifted to adjacent rooms.
2
Bona Deep Clean (if included)
Professional Bona scrubber machine with Bona Deep Clean solution. No harsh chemicals, no strong smell. Floor dries in 30–60 minutes. If recoat prep is needed (due to previous product use), it's applied at this stage.
3
Screening (light buffing)
A buffer with a fine screen pad lightly abrades the existing finish — creating adhesion for the new top coat. No heavy sanding, no dust, no bare wood exposed. This removes minor surface scratches.
4
New top coat of Bona Traffic HD
A fresh coat of Bona Traffic HD applied — the same commercial-grade finish we use on every project. Low VOC, fast drying. Walk on the floor within a few hours.
5
Furniture back same day or next
Most furniture can go back the next day. Heavier pieces and rugs typically wait 48–72 hours. We give you a clear timeline before we leave.
✅ Stay home throughout. No heavy sanding dust. No strong chemical smell. No need to relocate. Work room by room — not the whole house at once. Most projects complete in one day.
Perfect Timing: Schedule Around Your Vacation
Floor Refresh and Deep Clean are ideal to schedule when you're going away — even for a long weekend. We work while you're away, floors cure fully before heavy foot traffic, and you come home to floors that look completely refreshed. No coordination around work-from-home schedules or kids.
Chicago timing tip: The most popular booking windows are just before summer vacation (June–July) and before the holiday season (October–November). If you have a specific travel date in mind, book early — these slots fill quickly.
FLOORecki Annual Floor Check
Most Chicago homeowners don't know when their floors need attention until it's too late — and the repair cost is significantly higher than it would have been. We offer a simple annual check that takes the guesswork out of hardwood floor maintenance.
FLOORecki Hardwood Care Plan
A simple maintenance schedule that keeps your floors in top condition — and avoids costly surprises.
Every 1–3 Years
🧹 Bona Deep Clean
Remove built-up grime and restore natural appearance. Extends finish life significantly.
Every 4–7 Years
✨ Floor Refresh
Screen & recoat with fresh Bona Traffic HD. Removes surface scratches, restores protection.
Every 15–20 Years
🪵 Full Refinishing
Complete sand, stain, and finish. Only needed when the floor has deep damage or you want a color change.
Annual Floor Check — free with any service: We come out, inspect your floors honestly, and tell you exactly what's needed — Deep Clean, Refresh, or nothing yet. No upselling. No pressure. Just a clear picture of where your floors stand and what will keep them looking great longest.
Costs in Chicago 2026
| Service | Price | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Bona Deep Clean only | $1.50/sq ft (under 1,250 sq ft) $1.00/sq ft (1,250+ sq ft) | Same day |
| Floor Refresh (screen & recoat) only | $1.50/sq ft | 1 day |
| Deep Clean + Floor Refresh (bundle) | Deep Clean + 20% off Refresh | 1 day |
| Stair tread refresh (screen & recoat) | $30/tread | Same day as floor |
| Full Hardwood Refinishing | $4.00–$5.75/sq ft | 3–4 days |
| Minimum charge — Deep Clean | $600 | — |
| Minimum charge — Floor Refresh | $850 | — |
Real savings example: A 1,000 sq ft main floor full refinishing runs $4,000–$5,750. A Deep Clean + Floor Refresh combo on the same floor runs approximately $2,350 — and takes one day instead of four. If your floor qualifies, that's a saving of $1,500–$3,000+ and three fewer days of disruption.
Get Your Instant Deep Clean or Floor Refresh Estimate
Select "Deep Clean" or "Floor Refresh" in our Instant Quote tool — 60 seconds, no phone call needed. Bundle both for a 20% discount on the Refresh.
Calculate My Project Cost → Or call / text: 773-790-3887 · Same-day responseFrequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my floor needs a Refresh or full refinishing?
Run your fingernail across a scratch — if it catches, it's likely too deep for a Floor Refresh. Check boards near windows and exterior walls for raised edges or cupping. Look at the finish in direct sunlight — if it's worn through to bare wood in spots, refinishing is needed. If the floor is flat, scratches are surface-level, and the finish is just dull — a Floor Refresh is likely the right call. We assess this honestly at the estimate.
Can Bona Deep Clean remove dog urine odors and stains?
Bona Deep Clean removes surface residue and odors from pet accidents that haven't penetrated the wood. If urine has soaked through the finish into the wood fiber, it leaves a permanent dark stain that Deep Clean cannot remove — that requires sanding and board replacement during full refinishing. The sooner pet accidents are cleaned up, the less damage they cause.
Can Bona Deep Clean remove Murphy Oil Soap or Bona Polish buildup?
Murphy Oil Soap residue can typically be removed with Bona's deep cleaning system, making the floor suitable for screen & recoat. Bona Polish requires Bona's specialized recoat prep system — not just Deep Clean — to properly remove the polymer film and ensure good adhesion. We check for product contamination at the estimate and use the appropriate prep before any recoat.
Can you recoat over Rejuvenate or Mop & Glo?
These are silicone or acrylic-based products that are very difficult to remove and often prevent proper adhesion. We do a test in a small area before committing to a recoat on contaminated floors. In some cases, the floor needs a light sand to remove the contamination before a new finish can be applied. We're honest about this at the estimate — if it can't be done properly, we'll tell you.
How long does a Floor Refresh last?
Typically 3–5 years with normal household use and proper Bona-compatible cleaning. The new coat of Bona Traffic HD adds a full commercial-grade protective layer. Avoid steam mops, wet mops, and general household cleaners — these shorten the life of any hardwood finish significantly.
Do I need to leave my home during Deep Clean or Floor Refresh?
No — you can stay home throughout. No heavy sanding dust, no strong chemical smell. We work room by room, so you can move between areas as we progress. Most clients find it far less disruptive than they expected. The floor dries in 30–60 minutes after Deep Clean; the new top coat after Refresh is walkable within a few hours.
What cleaning products should I use after a Floor Refresh?
Always use Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner — it's specifically formulated for Bona finishes and leaves no residue. Avoid Bona Polish (different product — adds a layer that interferes with future recoats), Murphy Oil Soap, Rejuvenate, steam mops, and wet mops. If you're not sure about a product, ask us — using the wrong cleaner is one of the fastest ways to shorten the life of a hardwood finish.
Is Floor Refresh available for hardwood stairs?
Yes — stair tread refreshing is $30 per tread. Stairs are the highest-traffic surface in a home and benefit greatly from periodic screen & recoat. We can also apply Bona anti-slip finish to stair treads for added safety — same clean hardwood look with better grip. White painted risers can be touched up at the same visit.
Related Services & Guides
Not Sure Which Service You Need?
We come out for a free assessment, check your floor's condition, and give you an honest recommendation — Deep Clean, Floor Refresh, or full refinishing. No upselling, no pressure.
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