New cleaner has left large watermarks on wooden floor - WWYD?

[FrostyMorn]

Hi all,

I've never had a cleaner before and I'm unsure what to do. She came yesterday for the first time and did a good job but this morning I noticed two large pale rings on the wooden floor where she'd set down the mop bucket. (My phone is blocking photo upload and I can't get round it.)

2 questions:

1. If I say something what should I want the outcome to be?
2. Does anyone have any tips for removing these marks? I've just tried a hairdryer after watching a YouTube video but it made no difference (maybe didn't try long enough though).

Thanks in advance.

Thank you for not saying it's my fault and for making some sensible suggestions. I'm also concerned a 'product' might make it worse.

I can’t see how a product would fix this - a watermark is the absence of something (whatever the rest of the floor is coated with). It’s not something that can be scrubbed away, it’s already gone.

Yep, makes sense.

Wood should be treated the same ,barely any water just a wrung out cloth or mop.

I do not think it’s is unreasonable to put a bucket in a floor, unless you particularly told her not to. Seal your bloody floors.

If it’s one of those pale watermarks on an oak floor it will go away itself within a few days.

If the worst comes to the worst and it’s a stain it can be sanded. You will be able to get rid of the mark.

Bloody hell. I simply asked for advice. No need to be so rude. What have I done to you?
Will post a POSITIVE update and then won't be coming back.

@jessycake Thanks so much for the walnut tip. I have tried it and it has got rid of most of the marks - really amazing result.
Thanks for the other constructive comments. Won't be coming back as the rude comments are unjustified and I don't need them in my life.

Would really recommend the bona wood floor cleaner and mop. It’s a spray one. They have a deep clean version and a lighter clean version of solution. Our cleaners know they can only use that now and it gets the floors clean

I find Method wood floor cleaner very good.

It’s true the cleaner should not have had a water bucket or worse on a wooden floor.

I used a pencil eraser in panic to get a water mark out of my boss's desk. It worked after quite a lot of rubbing. Worth a try.

FWIW I wouldn't put a bucket down on a wooden floor. I would have thought a cleaner wouldn't risk it either.

Yes agree with this whether it was caused by water or a chemical cleaning product no further cleaning is going to help because it can’t replace the finish that’s been stripped off and efforts along these lines may make it worse. We had similar in an old house and were able to fix it by using the tester pot from when we were deciding on the floor finish, luckily still had it, and painting the mark with a kids mini paintbrush. I have also heard that rubbing it with a walnut works but never tried it myself.

So what should they do in a house with wooden floors?

use a wood floor cleaner - something like the method or the bona one that have been suggested. Spray it lightly on the floor. Then use a microfibre mop to lift the dirt and the spray away.

That depends on whether their agreement is for the cleaner to provide the products or the OP.

In your shoes I would go to a store that specialises in wooden flooring, show them some photos and ask their advice. Depending on the finish, some of the products suggested by PPs may not be appropriate. For instance, I have an oiled floor which can only be cleaned with a special, mild soap, using a well wrung out mop.

Edit: is it possible that your floors might benefit from refinishing?

NB: I would never rely on a cleaner’s own products being suitable for my wooden floors. Also, they should know how to clean them but again, I would explain rather than rely on their expertise.

Not really - the floor doesn’t care who is in charge of what, if you use too much water or the wrong cleaner it’s going to get damaged.

If they provide a floor cleaner and say clean the floors then that's what the cleaner will use. On that note, if the apparatus provided doesn't work well, then that's also what they will use. For instance, if the mop buckets doesn't wring out the mop very well.

I am a cleaner.
I take care to stand the bucket on the worktop and swivel the tap to fill it to avoid the bottom getting wet for this reason.
If it’s a low/fixed tap and I have to stand the bucket in the sink, therefore making the bottom wet, then I stand the bucket on the doormat if the floor is wooden. If it’s tiled, it’s not a problem.
A water mark will be white (I’ve done it at home with a glass of wine on an old, worn table). It did vanish I. A few hours though so you may still get lucky.The water will have seeped beneath the finish of the wood.

I would fully expect to be pulled up on this if I caused this problem because part of being a good cleaner is to recognise the surfaces and be aware of potential issues and work in a way to avoid them. If things still go wrong, then I would pass it over to my insurers.

Rest the bucket on an old cloth or towel.