Solid hardwood floors are the gold standard of residential flooring. Whether your home has always had wood floors or you just moved in, there’s a good chance that the natural, inviting look of rich oak, maple, or hickory planks have dulled over time. Make your wood floors shine like new with expert maintenance tips from Floor Coverings International® of Cleveland West.
How to Make Dull Wood Floors Shine
Wood flooring is the most popular material around, but it does require a bit of maintenance. Make the time to clean and shine hardwood floors regularly to prolong their active lifespan and keep your home looking fresh and inviting.
Cleaning and Maintenance
A clean floor is a shiny floor. Remove dust, dirt, and grime as often as you can so your floors retain that ultra-fresh gleam. Start by sweeping or dusting with a dry mop daily and always address spills immediately. Vacuum and damp mop weekly to keep wood floors looking their best.
Polishing Wood Floors
Polishing wood floors adds that clean, wonderful shine and adds a thin protective layer to reduce the risk of scratches and scrapes.
What to Use to Shine Wood Floors
Look for hardwood floor polishes that meet any recommendations from your floor manufacturer and only apply wood floor polish after you’ve thoroughly cleaned and dried the space. We recommend testing the wood floor polish on a small, inconspicuous area of the floor to check for any discoloration before applying it to the whole floor.
To apply wood floor polish, follow this simple process:
- Remove furniture and rugs before you get started.
- Apply polish directly to the floor and dampen with the applicator pad. This is usually provided along with the polish.
- Work in small areas to apply a thin, consistent layer. Use light pressure and follow the wood grain pattern.
- Let the polish fry for at least an hour before walking on it, but avoid heavy foot traffic for at least 24 hours. It’s usually safe to put the furniture back into the room after 24 hours.
- To maximize the shine, buff the floor with a microfiber mop. Work in large circles and remove residue to reveal shining hardwood floors!
How Often to Polish Wood Floors
Most manufacturers recommend polishing hardwood floors every two to six months, but check for any guidelines specific to your product. Areas of the home with heavier foot traffic, homes with multiple pets, or older floors may need to polish floors more frequently.
Better Flooring and a Better Experience; That’s Floor Coverings International® of Cleveland West
As the Cleveland area’s most trusted hardwood flooring contractors, we help homeowners find, install, and enjoy wood flooring with a fun, stress-free process. Our local team is highly trained, professional, and ready to answer your questions from start to finish. See why our customers love working with us when you schedule your free, in-home consultation – we can’t wait to speak with you!
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