Cleaning Old Waxed Hardwood Floors

Often a waxed wood feels softer and a little more slippery than an oiled wood floor.

Cleaning old waxed hardwood floors.

Before purchasing your cleaner keep safety in mind lest you budget for another floor. Be sure to use the correct type of wax for your floor and finish. In case any water or other liquid spills on the floor wipe it immediately with a damp cloth and then wipe dry. Next sprinkle a few drops of water onto a worn area of the floor to test the soundness of the finish.

Dust clean things to think about when you dust and clean your waxed wood floor. This is no mystery to me but the stores now only carry pre finished floors and don t appreciate the beauty of a old waxed floors like we do. Use neutral floor cleaners it is advisable that you only use cleaners that have been designed purposely for cleaning waxed floors. My floors were only a few years old i just wanted to shine them up.

I had really poor results. Don t overwax a wood floor. 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. If it looks dull try buffing your hardwood floor instead. Waxed floors are very sensitive to basic acidic as well as solvent cleaners. I could take my nail and scrape off the bona.

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. Use floor wax to revitalize and deep clean worn floors. For example some types of modern hardwood flooring have a sealed surface that should not be waxed. My floors were left in a cloudy haze.

Always apply floor wax to go with the grain of the wood. To clean old hardwood floors start by using a plastic spatula or dull putty knife to scrape off any dried paint gum or other hardened materials. I spent many hours on my hands and knees trying to get all the refresher off. If your floor is real hardwood lightly sand it then apply a new finish to restore the wood s natural beauty.

I tried the bona wood floor refresher on my hardwood floors a few years ago. Avoid using wet mops for cleaning hardwood floors as it can result in clouding the wax coat or damaging the wood. As a rule of thumb only dry clean your hardwood flooring. It can be difficult to see and feel the difference between a waxed and an oiled floor.

These finishes require a water based polish instead.