Cleaning And Waxing Old Hardwood Floors

As a rule of thumb only dry clean your hardwood flooring.

Cleaning and waxing old hardwood floors.

Leaving hot water on your flooring long enough to dissolve wax is just asking for the water to seep through the cracks swell the wood and ruin your floor. If a surface finished hardwood floor still looks dingy or dull after dusting deep clean it with any ph neutral wax free and petroleum free cleaner such. My floors were only a few years old i just wanted to shine them up. Old hardwood floors are often as sturdy as they are gorgeous.

Before waxing hardwood floors carefully clean the surface with a broom or mop to remove any dust or dirt that could get trapped in the wax and impact the finish. In between waxings fade superficial imperfections by buffing. Deep clean heavy dirt and grime buildup. These finishes require a water based polish instead.

With a little care you can bring them back to their former glory. However if your home features unsealed wood flooring. I had really poor results. Hot water can dissolve wax especially if it contains vinegar ammonia washing powder or a similar cleaning agent but no flooring manufacturer would recommend using it.

Scrape away materials like dried paint wax deposits and bits of carpeting that might have covered the floor. Wood floors are usually prized by homeowners for the warm natural look that they give to any room. Waxed floors are very sensitive to basic acidic as well as solvent cleaners. I tried the bona wood floor refresher on my hardwood floors a few years ago.

Use safe disinfectants some people may prefer to have a disinfectant when cleaning. Avoid applying fresh wax before the old wax coat has worn off as over waxing hardwood floors can result in unsightly wax build up. Before purchasing your cleaner keep safety in mind lest you budget for another floor. I spent many hours on my hands and knees trying to get all the refresher off.

Be sure to use the correct type of wax for your floor and finish. Avoid using wet mops for cleaning hardwood floors as it can result in clouding the wax coat or damaging the wood. Sweep away loose dirt dust and other debris and mop the floor with warm water to remove any grime or. Safely cleaning an unsealed wood floor.

Care should be taken because only those safe to the waxed wood floors are suitable. My floors were left in a cloudy haze. Removing old wax from wood floors is time consuming but it is not an impossible task.