How to Polyurethane Wood Floors

Polyurethane can make your floor look new.

A coat of polyurethane can make a dull wood floor look new and shiny. You don't even need to sand the floor first. Just clean and apply the polyurethane. Resist the temptation to use a paintbrush or roller since they can't apply the thin coating your floor needs. Oil-based polyurethane is less expensive, but has a strong smell and is flammable. Water-based polyurethane is more expensive, but is odorless. Both kinds come in both matte and gloss finishes. Your choice depends on your preferences. Any kind of polyurethane is safe to use on any polyurethane coated wood floor.

Things You'll Need

• Broom or dust mop
• Floor mop
• Hot water
• Clean rags
• Polyurethane

Instructions

1. Take all the furniture out of the room. Sweep the floor to remove all dust.

2. Mop the floor with a damp mop and hot water. Wait for the water to evaporate.

3. Open the windows in the room. On your hands and knees, pour polyurethane on a clean, lint-free cloth and wipe it on the floor, starting at the point farthest from the door. Spread the polyurethane evenly, making sure to cover the entire floor in a single, thin coat.

4. Close the door and do not walk on the floor until the polyurethane has dried completely. The instructions on the bottle should tell you how long drying will take.

Tips & Warnings

• Leave the windows open for 24 hours to let the fumes dissipate, even if you use water-based polyurethane.

• Apply polyurethane to your floors whenever they look dull. How often this is depends on how much foot traffic the room sees.

• Don't apply polyurethane to floors that don't already have a polyurethane finish, or the polyurethane will not adhere to the floor.

References

• "Home Repair That Pays Off"; Hector Seda; 2009
• Home Tips: Recoating a Polyurethane Wood Floor Finish