How to Shine Hardwood Floors the Easy Way

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.

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.

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.

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.