Cleaning Pre-War NYC Apartments: Hardwood Floors, Plaster & Vintage Details

Pre-war apartments are gorgeous — the crown molding, the hardwood floors, the plaster walls, the original tile work. They're also a nightmare to clean if you don't know what you're doing. Using the wrong products or techniques can damage finishes that have survived for a century.

Hardwood Floors

Pre-war hardwood floors are usually oak or maple with a polyurethane or shellac finish. The biggest rule: never use a steam mop. The heat and moisture can warp the wood and cloud the finish. Instead:

• ✓Dust mop or vacuum with a hardwood-safe attachment (no beater bar)
• ✓Damp mop with a well-wrung microfiber mop — barely damp, not wet
• ✓Use a pH-neutral hardwood cleaner (Bona is the standard)
• ✓Never use vinegar on hardwood — it eats through the finish over time
• ✓Wipe up spills immediately — water is the enemy
• ✓Use felt pads on all furniture legs to prevent scratches

Plaster Walls and Crown Molding

Plaster walls can't handle the same scrubbing you'd give drywall. They're more porous and the paint tends to be older. Dust crown molding with a dry microfiber cloth or a lambswool duster. For marks on walls, try a damp Magic Eraser gently — but test in a hidden area first because it can remove old paint.

Original Tile and Fixtures

Those hexagonal floor tiles in the bathroom and the original porcelain fixtures are worth preserving. Clean vintage porcelain with baking soda paste and a soft cloth — never abrasive scrubbers. For the hex tile floors, a mild all-purpose cleaner and a soft brush work best. Avoid acidic cleaners on marble thresholds and windowsills — they etch the stone.

Radiators

Pre-war radiators collect an impressive amount of dust and grime. Use a radiator brush (long, narrow brush designed for the fins) to get between the sections. For painted radiators, wipe down with warm soapy water. If your radiator covers are removable, take them off once a season and vacuum behind them. You'll be amazed — and disgusted — by what's back there. Our Upper East Side and Upper West Side cleaners handle pre-war buildings every day.