Even if you have properly cared for your hardwood floors over the years, the reality is that they will eventually become dull and develop imperfections from everyday wear and tear. Years of kids and dogs running around, moving furniture, wearing shoes inside, and more can dull the finish of the floor, which eventually means you will have to polish it to restore it to its original beauty. The cost to refinish hardwood floors can leave you with your eyes wide, but giving your floor a good polish is a cheaper way to make the hardwood look new again.
Prepping to Shine Hardwood Floors
Before shining your hardwood floors, the room should be cleared of any furniture and decor that sits on the ground, including rugs and planters. You should gather all of your supplies as well. This can be a relatively quick project, and being prepared with all the supplies and tools you need will help it go even faster.
Determine the Finish
If the hardwood or engineered hardwood floor was sealed with a penetrating stain or was left unfinished, polishing will not work to shine the hardwood floors. Instead, you will have to wax them to achieve a polished look. If your floors are already sealed with a urethane finish, then polishing them can restore their original shine, making them look new again and removing many imperfections that come with everyday wear and tear.
If you installed the hardwood floors yourself, then you probably already know what finish was used. If you moved into a home with hardwood floors and you are unsure of the finish, you can test it by using a utility knife or razor blade to gently scrape the surface of the floor in an inconspicuous spot. If a clear, non-waxy material scrapes off the surface, you have a surface finish, typically a urethane, that can be polished. If no material comes off, you likely have a penetrating stain or oil, and this surface cannot be polished.
Clean the Floors Thoroughly
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Polishing a floor requires a clean floor that is free of dust and dirt and any buildup that has accumulated over the years. To clean the hardwood floors, sweep or vacuum them to remove any loose dirt, debris, and pet hair and then clean them with a commercial wood floor cleaner and a mop. You can also just add about a quarter cup of dish soap to a gallon of water for a DIY cleaning solution. Once the floor is mopped, allow it to dry, or speed up the process by wiping away any excess water with a clean, dry towel.
Apply Wood Polish and Restorer to the Floors
This is where the magic happens. Using a flat surface mop applicator attached to a handle, begin in a corner of the room that is opposite the exit to make sure you do not polish yourself into a corner. Apply the wooden floor polisher by squirting it in an “S” or zigzag shape directly on the floor in a small area. Use your mop to spread a thin, even layer of floor polish on the floor. Smooth out any air bubbles as you go. Work your way through the room until you reach the exit. Some mops are washable and reusable, while others are single-use, so depending on how many rooms you will be doing and how often you polish your floors, you will have to decide which type is best for your project.
Wait Patiently
After you have applied the floor polish, it is time to play the dreaded waiting game. Luckily, you will not have to wait too long. Floor polish usually sets up enough to accommodate light traffic after an hour, so if people have to walk through the room to get to another room or for any other reason, they can do so pretty quickly. It is important, however, to wait at least 24 hours before moving any furniture or rugs back in. Ideally, you would do this at night before going to bed or before leaving the house for a longer period of time.
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro
Wood floor polishing is a relatively easy DIY project. A few supplies and a good clean will prep the floor for polishing, and if you can mop, you can probably polish the floor on your own. But, that said, you can always hire a local hardwood floor refinisher to get the job done quickly and efficiently. If it is time to refinish your hardwood floors, then calling in a professional may be the way to go.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have waxed floors or floors with a penetrating stain or oil, you can shine them up with some more wax and a cloth or floor buffer. After cleaning the floor thoroughly, apply wax to the floor in small sections and use a clean, dry cloth or towel to buff it until it shines. You can also use an electric polisher, which is especially handy for large floors.
Vinegar is acidic and can damage hardwood floors if it is used as a cleaner. It can, however, be used to clean laminate, vinyl, and porcelain floors if it is diluted with water first. To clean hardwood floors, you can use a hardwood floor cleaner or mix about a quarter cup of dish soap with a gallon of warm water.
Wood floors should be polished every two to four months to maintain a shine and to keep them protected from daily wear and tear. More frequent maintenance includes dry mopping the floors daily and cleaning spills immediately, using a spray mop and cleaner weekly to remove any built up dirt or grime, and sanding and refinishing the floors every three to five years.
Stephanie Mickelson is a freelance writer covering home improvement, real estate, design, and personal finance. Before beginning her freelance career, she worked in residential construction, specifically remodeling kitchens, installing cabinets, flooring, countertops, trim, and more.
Stephanie Mickelson is a freelance writer covering home improvement, real estate, design, and personal finance. Before beginning her freelance career, she worked in residential construction, specifically remodeling kitchens, installing cabinets, flooring, countertops, trim, and more.
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