How to Clean Wax for Older Varnished Oak Floors

Wax buildup can dull a varnished oak floor's finish.

There is nothing like an authentic vintage oak floor. Older wood floors were usually coated with shellac or varnish. To keep them looking luminous, floor wax was applied regularly and then buffed to a shine. But floor wax can build up on a varnished wood floor, causing it to look dull. Also, a lot of dirt is trapped in those layers of wax. There's a simple way to strip those layers of wax from your varnished floor. It's a slow process and should be done with care to avoid damaging the original varnish finish.

Things You'll Need

• Broom
• Vacuum
• Soft, white floor-cleaning pad
• Odorless mineral spirits
• Soft cotton cloths
• Liquid paste wax

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Instructions

1. Sweep the floor with a broom or vacuum the floor to remove all dirt and grit.

2. Dampen a clean, soft, white floor-cleaning pad with odorless mineral spirits.

3. Rub the pad back and forth with the grain of the wood to dissolve and lift the wax. Immediately wipe the floor with a soft cotton cloth. Treat only small areas of the floor at a time. Wait 24 hours for the solvent in the mineral spirits to evaporate.

4. Apply fresh liquid paste wax to the freshly cleaned varnish.

Tips & Warnings

• Wear rubber gloves for this project.

• Just because odorless mineral spirits don't smell doesn't mean you aren't around a toxic solution. Make sure the room is well-ventilated.

• Never pour the mineral spirits directly on the wood. If any amount sits on the floor too long, it can soften the varnish, leaving a cloudy, dull patch. If that happens, you'll have to have the entire floor re-sanded and varnished.

• Don't just throw out the cleaning pads or rags used to wipe away the soften wax; they can ignite and start a fire. Hang them outside to thoroughly dry first and then place them in a lidded, metal container until they can be properly disposed of. Check with your local government on how to properly dispose of the rags.

References

• Wood Floor Doctor: How to Clean and Maintain Wood Floors