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That said, you still need to clean wood floors. While regular sweeping or vacuuming will help keep your floors from getting dull over time, a good mopping with the right cleaning solution will restore your floors’ shine. Wax is one of the oldest types of hardwood floor finishes around. It’s an inexpensive alternative to other finish types, but it requires unique maintenance and regular upkeep.
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Shark IZ462H Vertex DuoClean PowerFins Lightweight Cordless Stick Vacuum
Many also adore the Bona mop and microfiber cloth you can buy separately. After you purchase one spray bottle, you can buy the 128 oz. Minwax® Hardwood Floor Cleaner will not permanently damage wood.
You might need to rinse after cleaning for best results. Keep working in small sections until the entire floor is coated. Brigitt Earley is an experienced writer and product reviewer for The Spruce who specializes in home hacks and products. She currently writes about home products and toys for The Spruce. Apply second and third coats to high-traffic areas, buffing after each coat dries. As it dries, the solvent will evaporate, leaving the polish.
ZEP Commercial Hardwood & Laminate Floor Cleaner
Apply additional coats per the manufacturer’s recommendation, allowing each to dry in between. Scoop a tablespoon of solid wax with the putty knife onto a soft, lint-free cloth. If using liquid wax, pour or squeeze a tablespoon from the can or bottle directly onto the hardwood floor, then dip the mop head into the wax. However, you can also wax unfinished floors. Be sure to apply an even layer of cleaner on your hardwood floors. Routine maintenance for wood flooring is fairly simple.
You should never use straight water on wood floors. Applying high volumes of water in any form—liquid or vapor —to a wood floor can cause permanent damage to the wood and the finish. Our top pick for a hardwood floor cleaner is the Better Life Naturally Dirt-Destroying Floor Cleaner. Its versatile, plant-based formula works across a variety of sealed floor types. Plus, it's easy to use (there's no rinsing required), and it comes in recyclable packaging.
Simple Ways to Wax Hardwood Floors and Restore Shine
Spread the polish evenly to avoid bubbles in the liquid. Pour the polish onto the mop and pour some of the polish directly on the floor. Wipe up spills as soon as they occur with a water-dampened cloth, then wipe dry. Let the first coat dry, which can take anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour depending on the product. Always wear gloves and a dust mask for protection from fumes in wax solvents.
Whether coated in a rich stain or left unfinished, this popular flooring type lends natural charm to dining rooms, living areas, hallways, and more. Hardwood stands up well to daily use and, if properly maintained, will last for decades. For many types of hardwood flooring, regular waxing is a key part of the upkeep. Especially in high-traffic areas, such as kitchens and entryways, hardwood floors can quickly become dull or dingy from everyday use. Floor wax helps restore shine and adds a glossy feel to hardwood flooring.
Application Method
An LED light on the floor head allows you to see your cleaning path and illuminates any hidden debris. This vacuum also folds in half for easy storage, if you're cramped for closet space, or looking to optimize storage possibilities. Our testers pointed out this vacuum is slightly top-heavy, which makes it tricky to prop up between tasks.
No matter how we procure products, they all go through the same tests and must meet the same strict criteria to make the best-of cut. We also pride ourselves on transparency and will always let you know if we received a product for free. A cordless construction allows you to venture wherever you need to, even in a large room. No need to worry about the battery life, either. After an overnight charge, our tester found it strong enough to complete several small tasks or one big deep clean of a townhouse. Do note, though, that you’ll need to purchase refill pads to continue using the VACMOP.
Using too much water is bad for hardwood, even well-sealed wood. If the cleaner isn’t dilute enough, it might leave streaks or make your floors sticky. You’ll avoid pushing around dirt and prevent small particles from creating microscopic scratches in your flooring. Recommended by our cleaning expert, this product has a nice scent and doesn't leave a residue.
Minwax® Professional Formula Sanding Sealer is a clear sealer formulated for application over bare wood. Its quick dry feature allows for sealing and topcoating your project in just one day. Dampen a soft lint-free cloth, a mop, or the pad of an electric floor polisher ($150, Target) to prevent the wax from soaking in. Weekly dry-mop waxed with a microfiber cloth pad, or vacuum with a dust brush attachment, to keep dust at bay. Employ an electric floor buffer/polisher (rental from Home Depot starts at $30 for a half day) to speed up the process of buffing either solid or liquid wax. Slough off stubborn wax build-up with fine-grade steel wool.
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