Things You'll Need:
- Broom and dustpan
- Vacuum
- Damp mop
- Floor polish
- Rags or clothes for application and buffing
- Commercial buffer (optional)
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Step 1
Choose your polish. The most popular materials used for polishing wood floors are waxes, polyurethanes and shellac. Wax will provide a longer lasting finish, which is good if you'd like to avoid polishing again in a year. If you plan to stripp and completely refinishing your floors within a few years, avoid wax and use a polyurethane or shellac polish.
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Step 2
Thoroughly clean your floors before applying polish. Use a broom or vacuum to remove all debris, and then follow with a damp mop.
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Step 3
Apply your polish. If you're using wax, apply a small amount to a dry cloth and rub it into the wood in a circular motion. If you've chosen urethane or shellac, apply using a rag or a brush, making sure that you're applying with the grain of the wood for best results.
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Step 4
After your first coat of polish dries completely, you can apply your second coat. If you've chosen wax, it is important to buff the floor between coats using either a dry soft cloth or a commercial buffer.
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Step 5
Repeat this process every two years to maintain the polished finished on your hardwood floors.
