Having beautiful hardwood floors in your home is wonderful, but over time they can start to look dull and worn. Don’t despair! With a little effort, you can get your hardwood floors looking like new again. Here are some tips to restore the gleam to your hardwood floors.
Clean Thoroughly
The first step is a deep clean. Sweep and vacuum your floors to remove any loose dirt and debris. Then, use a hardwood floor cleaner and mop the floors. Make sure to get into the corners and along baseboards where dust and dirt can collect. Avoid using overly wet mops or steam cleaners on hardwood floors. Too much moisture can damage the wood.
Remove Stains
Stains on hardwood floors can be lifted with some elbow grease and cleaning products specifically designed for hardwood. For small stains, try rubbing them gently with a soft cloth dipped in hardwood floor cleaner. For tougher stains, use a hardwood stain remover and a scrub brush or buffing pad to work the product into the stained area. Be patient and gentle as you work the stain remover into the wood. Harsh scrubbing can damage the floor’s finish.
Recoat or Refinish
If your floors have become dull or worn over time, they may need new protective coats of polyurethane or varnish. Lightly sanding the floors first will help the new finish adhere properly. Vacuum up all dust before applying 2-3 thin, even coats of a water-based poly, allowing proper drying time between coats.
For floors with deeper scratches or worn areas, a full refinishing is needed. This involves sanding down the floor’s top layer of wood to remove scratches and impressions. Work your way up through several grit sandpaper grades, finishing with 120 or 150 grit for a smooth surface. Carefully vacuum and tack cloth the floor before applying new polyurethane or varnish finish.
Buff and Polish
In between major recoating or refinishing jobs, you can keep your hardwood floors shining by regular buffing and polishing. Use a floor buffer or polisher with a soft pad once a month. Choose a hardwood floor polish and apply as directed as you run the buffer over your floors. The motion will remove fine dust and give the floor a luminous, polished look.
Area Rugs
Placing area rugs in high traffic areas and at exterior doorways will help protect your floors from dirt, wear and moisture. Be sure to clean and rotate the rugs regularly to prevent uneven wear. Use rug pads underneath to prevent slippage on the floors.
Maintain with Care
Your hardwood floors will gleam for many years to come with proper maintenance:
- Sweep, dust mop or vacuum to remove grit and dirt regularly.
- Wipe up spills immediately to prevent stains and water damage.
- Keep pet nails trimmed to avoid scratches and gouges.
- Avoid walking on floors with cleats, stilettos or other damaging footwear.
-Rearrange furniture and area rugs periodically to allow for even exposure to light. - Reapply poly or refinish floors as needed to renew protective coatings.
With the right cleaning, polishing and refinishing techniques, your hardwood floors can look like new again. Protect them after all that hard restoration work, and you’ll be enjoying gleaming floors for years to come.
