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.
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).




















