How to Clean & Polish Wood Floors

Wood floors can last for many years when properly cared for and cleaned. Unlike carpet, you can see the amount of dirt that accumulates on wood floors. For those who have allergies or pets, this can prove very useful when minimizing dust. A variety of wood floor cleaning products are on the market, yet the wrong kind can cause warping to floors that aren't sealed. Find out how you can clean and polish your floor so that it will look brand new.

Things You'll Need

• Broom
• Wax Stripper
• Wax paste
• Water
• Wood floor cleaning solution
• Dish soap

Instructions

1. Rub your finger across your wood floor to see if it is sealed. If it creates a smudge, your flooring has a sealant that repels water. If your floor isn't sealed, apply two coats of slow drying penetrating sealer to clean floors. Avoid using fast drying sealer because it can leave marks.

2. Remove furniture or rugs in a room. You can also cluster furniture and clean floors in sections. Sweep behind all furniture. Be sure to dust furniture before cleaning floors, and turn off any overhead fans to prevent dust from blowing around.

3. Use a wood floor cleaner that has a neutral pH level. Liquid dish soap diluted with water will work fine if you don't have any cleaner on hand. Mix up the solution in a pail, and use a mop. Pour out the dirty water frequently when cleaning grimy areas.

4. Allow the area to completely dry before applying liquid wax stripper. Wax buildup will leave wood floors looking dull, so it's important to remove the old wax. Spread the wax stripper across the entire flooring.

5. Spread paste wax over the whole floor, and allow it to dry. Use a cloth to spread the wax in circular motions across the floor.

6. Rent a buffer from a local hardwood store and buff the polish. For small areas, buff the floors with soft cloth.

Tips & Warnings

• Regularly sweep and mop floors, but keep polishing to a minimum to prevent wax buildup and problems refinishing your floors.

• Avoid waxing a wood floor with a urethane finish.

References

• Wood Floor Covering Association
• Polishing Wood Floors