24 Jan Make your Hardwood Floor Shine

Hardwood floors increase resale value, they’re aesthetically pleasing, and will have a considerable lifespan in your home when taken care of properly. One of the features that many people find most attractive about hardwood floors is their shininess. However, over time they can begin to look dull and lackluster.

The Finish

Keeping the shine on your hardwood floor begins with knowing what – if any – type of finish was applied. It may have been finished with past wax, polyurethane, or polyacrylic urethane. If it didn’t have any type of finish applied, it will be more difficult to keep it shiny.

Cleaning

While hardwood floors make cleaning easy, using the wrong type of cleaner on the surface can actually harm it, depending on the type of finish that was applied to the floor. It’s essential that you sweep, vacuum or dust mop floors before applying any type of cleaner and use a clean mop. Otherwise, you’re just redistributing the dust, dirt and debris and trapping it in the cleaning solution.

Never use ammonia, bleach, vinegar or pine oil cleaners on your floors. There are multiple brands of cleaning formulas on the market made specifically for hardwood flooring. They’re available at most supermarkets and home improvement stores. Be sure to read and follow all manufacturers recommendations.

Don’t use too much of the cleaner and use a dry microfiber mop after damp mopping to buff the floor. Using too much wax or using wax on a floor with certain types of finishes can make them look dull. A wax stripper can remove the wax and restore the shine.

Refinishing

Hardwood flooring has a significant lifespan, but normal wear and tear can take a toll over time. If there are obvious scratches and scuffs, you may need to have the floor refinished and resealed. It’s best not to make this a DIY project. You can easily inflict more damage. Always call in the professionals for work on your hardwood floors.