5 Steps to Polishing Hardwood Floors

The first step of polishing hardwood floors involves determining whether they need polishing. This depends on the condition of the existing finish. Surfaces protected with urethane will benefit from polish, while those with unsealed wood require wax instead of polish. Remember that using the wrong product will result in all types of problems. You can ascertain the type of finish you need by scraping off a tiny bit of the finish from a hidden area with a knife. If it is smudged but no clear material shows up, the floor possibly has a penetrating finish and does not need polishing.

After you decide to move forward with floor polishing in Sherman Oaks, empty the room and remove as much furniture as possible. Then, clean the floor completely to remove all the dust and dirt. Just sweeping the floor should do, or you can use a vacuum cleaner, followed by mopping the surface with a commercial wood floor cleaner to remove any of the leftover grime. Complete the task with a final pass over the floors with a clean and damp mop to eliminate and cleaner residue.

At this point, you should be ready to polish the surface. So, start from the back corner of the room and use a path that will place you close to an exit upon completion. Pour a small quantity of wood polish onto the floor and use a flat surface mop to work in the solution in the direction of the wood grain and smooth out any air bubbles. The most effective way of controlling the amount of polish is to work in small areas measuring 3-5 feet in all directions. However, make sure that you coat the whole floor.

After polishing, wait an hour before allowing light traffic back into the room. You must also avoid moving furniture and other items back for 24 hours. Avoid scratching the surface with the furniture by using another member of the household to lift each piece up completely. Place all furniture pieces back in their original position instead of dragging them.

Floor polishing is not too difficult or tiresome, but you have to put some effort into ensuring the surface retains its beauty. Consider keeping rugs at entry doors to prevent dirt from being tracked into the room, and remove shoes before entering. Create a regular cleaning routine and stick to it. Vacuum the floor once every week and deep clean it once a month.