How To Clean Old Hardwood Floors? Let’s Make Old Hardwood Floors Shine Again

Old wood flooring is frequently referred to as resilient and elegant. However, they may be made to look as beautiful as they did with a little care. All you need to know is how to clean old hardwood floors with our tip guide. Remove any carpeting, dried wax, and dried paint from the floor. 

• Use mineral spirits or wood floor cleaner to get rid of stains;
• Hydrogen peroxide can be used to get rid of persistent pet scents;
• Clean and refinish the old flooring if required, but do so only as a last option;
• To maintain the repaired floor’s immaculate state, regularly sweep, vacuum, and wipe with a towel.

Every 2-4 months, wood or parquet floors should be cleaned to keep them appearing clean and glossy. The floor polish covers scuffs and guards against additional wear and vigorous cleaning techniques. Before polishing, the floor must be cleaned if you want to shine hardwood floors like you regularly do. For years to come, your hardwood or parquet floors will look their best if you follow these easy care instructions.

The old flooring, which has been in use for more than a year, has almost the same issues. The core of floor grinding, which is the polishing of wood and preparing its surface for varnish, oil, wax, or any other ornamental and protective agent, is the elimination of all these flaws. 

Thus, the objectives of grinding are: 

• leveling the floor; 
• removing surface flaws; 
• cleaning off debris and old paint.

What Cleaner Is The Best To Revitalize Hardwood Floors?

Consult a specialist with knowledge of restoring old floors. If your old wood floor is severely damaged or worn, or if you are unsure of its materials, you should get expert assistance. Consult with your friends and acquaintances to identify a reliable contractor. Find a wood flooring expert who doesn’t advise ripping out the floor entirely unless it is required. For instance, if you need to repair your floor, have a skilled contractor remove the old, worn-out flooring in a hidden location, such as a closet, and replace it with new wood flooring.

If you want to do it yourself, carry on reading the article.

Step 1: Test Your Floor

Learn more about the type of varnish that the floor is coated with before you shine hardwood floors without refinishing. A moderately complex covering can be done with polyurethane varnish. It can be cleaned with a little water. On the other hand, acrylic and water-based varnishes can not tolerate water and need to be regularly waxed. 

• If your floors are finished with shellac or a water-based lacquer, you must frequently wax them after removing the lacquer and applying it again;

• To determine the type of lacquer, use denatured alcohol and lacquer thinner. Try the test on a hidden part of the floor covered with carpet or furniture. Put a few drops of alcohol on the ground. Apply an old napkin to this area after a short while. You are dealing with shellac if the coating begins to soften. Apply a few drops of acrylic lacquer thinner to the adjoining floor if the alcohol does not succeed in removing the coating’s hardness. If the solvent causes the varnish to soften, it is acrylic. The varnish is most likely water varnish if it turns thick and sticky.

Step 2: Clean The Dust

Take out the carpets and furnishings. Put transport platforms beneath the furniture’s legs if you’re mopping the floor alone, then carefully push or roll the furniture out of the room. Roll up and remove the carpeting. 

Vacuum the floor. Dust and filth must be removed to do this. First, ensure the bottom of the vacuum cleaner brush is free of sharp plastic components. A brush’s built-in wheels can harm flooring if they are broken. Use a broom to remove dust and dirt if you don’t have a regular vacuum cleaner. 

Step 3: Try Various Restorations To Freshen Up Hardwood Floors

Some ways are available when restoring a floor:

1. To manually grind a wooden floor, you will need the following options:
   • Rolling or sheeting sandpaper with a grain size module ranging from 40 to 120 units. The necessary quantity is calculated empirically, taking into account not only the treated floor’s area but also its pollution level, surface flaws, and even the durability of the wood or varnish;
   • A grater made of PVC or wood, most frequently known as a sandpaper holder. Products made of inexpensive plastic are appropriate for grinding tiny regions. Furthermore, sturdy PVC or wood items with an ergonomic, rubber-coated handle are preferable for heavier workloads;
   • Scrapers are used to clean up areas with a lot of dirt or old paint. It is composed of a steel plate that has been bent at a 45-degree angle and a handle made of wood, plastic, or both;

2. To make old hardwood floors shine, use a water-soluble polish for floors that have been varnished with polyurethane. Use a polish with a wax base for different finishes. Use a microfiber cloth to buff the floor after applying the polish. Either use your hands directly to do this task or a mop. You may create your natural floor polish by combining the following items:
   • white wine vinegar;
   • 2 cups (470 ml) warm water;
   • 2 teaspoons (30 ml) olive oil.

Work your way toward the entrance from the room’s farthest corner. One square meter or smaller sections of the floor should be treated. Slowly make your way across it from one corner of the room to the next. Then go to the third corner of the room by moving along the room. After that, begin working in the middle of the room. 

To avoid ruining the benefits of your diligent labor, polish the area around the front entrance last. Instead of using one thick layer of polish when the floor has a wax finish, use three thin applications. Before adding the next layer, give the previous one 24 hours to thoroughly dry. Be careful with sealing old wood floors as well.

Dry the polish. Until the floor is entirely dry, it will be sticky. It’s wise to wait 6 to 24 hours before wearing socks and walking on the floor. Wearing shoes on the floor shouldn’t be done for at least 24 hours. After two days, furniture can be brought back into the space. 

Use masking tape or a chair to block the room’s entrance for at least six hours. Pets should not enter the polished room for at least 24 hours if you have any. They can enter the chamber after six hours if special socks are placed on their paws.

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