To keep the wood floor looking shiny and beautiful, it is recommended that you polish it every 2-4 months. Wood floor polishing products fill in scratches and protect the outer layer of the floor against damage and over-cleaning. Before polishing the floor, you should clean the floor thoroughly, which from the beginning you really need to do it every week. This simple maintenance will keep your hardwood floors looking like new for years.
Step
Part 1 of 2: Cleaning Wooden Floors
Step 1. Remove the furniture and carpet
Ask a friend or family member to help lift heavy furniture. If you're only cleaning the floor, place a furniture pad under each leg and slide the furniture out of the room. Roll up all the rugs and get them out of the room too.
Step 2. Vacuum the floor
This stage is done to get rid of dust and debris. Make sure the bottom or edges of your vacuum cleaner don't have any rough plastic parts. Vacuum cleaners with defective wheels will scratch the floor. If you don't have a good model, it's best to just sweep the floor.
Step 3. Know the type of floor covering
Polyurethane flooring has a hard coating. You can clean it with just a little water. On the other hand, lacquered or varnished floors should not be wet with water and should be waxed regularly.
- If the floor has been lacquered or varnished, you will need to scrape and wax it annually.
- You can use denatured alcohol and a lacquer thinner to test the floor covering. Test on a small area of the floor that is usually covered with carpet or furniture. Pour 2-3 drops of alcohol. After a few seconds, touch it with an old cloth. If it feels soft, it means the floor is covered with lacquer. If it doesn't soften, pour 2-3 drops of shellac thinner at the closest point. If it softens, it means the floor is covered with varnish. If the floor feels sticky, it looks like a water-based cover.
Step 4. Mop the polyurethane floor
Mix a few drops of dish soap with a bucket of water. Squeeze the mop until it is damp. Run the mop along the floor grooves.
- Rub gently. Start with the interior corner and mop out toward the door. This trick will prevent you from stepping on wet floors.
- Wipe off excess water if you see standing water. This puddle will damage and bend the wooden floor. Use a clean, dry mop or towel. Make sure the floor surface is completely dry.
- Never mop a waxed floor. We recommend that you clean this floor with a vacuum cleaner and a cow.
Step 5. Polish the floor
Get down on your knees and scrub the floor with a microfiber cloth. If you prefer to stand, use a dry microfiber cloth mop. Wipe in circles until shiny.
You can also rent a polishing machine (buffer). To use it, move the machine in the direction of the wood groove
Part 2 of 2: Polishing the Wood Floor
Step 1. Buy the right polish
Use a water-based (urethane) polish for polyurethane-coated floors. For other types of coating, use a wax-based polish. Pour the solution onto the floor and mop using a microfiber cloth. You can do this manually, or wrap the head of the mop stick in a microfiber cloth.
Step 2. Read the instructions
Follow the guidelines carefully to prevent damaging the floor. Check to see if you need to sand and wax the floor before polishing. Follow all safety guidelines on the packaging label.
Step 3. Test the floor area
Even if you know what type of flooring you have, it's a good idea to test a polishing product to make sure it doesn't change the color of the wood. Find an area under a large piece of furniture or in a closet. Pour in the polishing product and then wipe with a microfiber cloth.
If there is no visible damage, please apply the product on the entire floor. If you notice discoloration, ask a professional contractor for help
Step 4. Apply polishing product
Depending on the direction, spray the polish directly onto the floor or apply it to the fabric first. Use the “feathering” technique (wiping polish in a semicircle). Overlap the feathering stroke so it doesn't smudge.
Step 5. Work from the interior corner of the room towards the outside
Polish the floor per 1 x 1 meter each time. Work gradually along the walls of the room to the next corner. Continue along the walls of the room to the third corner. After that, polish the floor to the last corner. From there, start working your way into the interior of the floor to polish the center of the room. Set aside the area around the door for a final polish so as not to spoil your work.
If the floor has already been waxed, apply 2-3 thin coats of polishing product instead of one thick coat. Wait until each layer is completely dry (about 24 hours) before working on the next
Step 6. Allow the polishing product to dry completely
The floor will feel sticky until it is completely dry. To finish, wait 6-24 hours before walking on the floor wearing socks. Do not walk on the floor in shoes for at least 24 hours. You can put the furniture back after 2 days.
- Cover the area with masking tape or a chair for at least 6 hours.
- If you have pets, keep them away from the polished area for at least 24 hours. You can also put dog socks on him after 6 hours.
