How to Make a Softwood Floor Shine

Softwood floors have an old-fashioned look to them.

Softwood floors are usually made with the wood from coniferous trees, such as pine and fir trees. Hardwood floors, on the other hand, are composed of deciduous tree wood, such as oak. Softwood is not as durable as hardwood, but it has its own charms. Southern yellow pine is particularly desirable for its golden color. Norway red pine has a very knotty, rustic appearance. While self-polishing acrylic waxes are not recommended for softwood floors, there are other ways to make them shine.

Things You'll Need

• Distilled white vinegar
• Water
• Mop
• Polyurethane sealant
• Gloss applicator
• 220-grit sandpaper
• Vacuum

Instructions

1. Remove all of the furniture and rugs from the room.

2. Mix 1 cup of white distilled vinegar with 1 gallon of water. Dip a rag or mop into this solution and clean the floor. Wring out the mop or rag so that it is damp, not sopping wet. Let the floor dry completely.

3. Apply a polyurethane sealant to the floor. This will protect the softwood and give it a nice shine. Starting in one corner, drizzle the sealant across the floorboards and then spread it with the gloss applicator.

4. Let the first coat of polyurethane dry overnight. Then, gently buff the floor with 220-grit sandpaper. Vacuum the dust thoroughly, and apply another coat of gloss. Let that coat dry overnight before walking on the floor.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not wax your floor with any wax that contains oil or ammonia.

References

• Flooring.net: Softwood Flooring
• Contempo Floor Coverings: Pine Flooring
• Antique Floors and More: Cleaning
• 1001 Uses for White Distilled Vinegar: Cleaning With Vinegar
• Restoratin and Romance: For the Love of an Old House; Barbara Jean Hicks et al; 2001