How to Polish Hardwood Floors Without Damaging Them
31.03.2025
Reading Time ~ 11 minutes
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Table of Contents
Polishing is not just about making the hardwood floor shiny and beautiful. It’s part of the maintenance cycle, preventing scratches and making the floor last longer. It protects your investment and promotes the sustainability of raw materials. Yet, if done incorrectly, polishing makes the floor dull, sticky, and sometimes even slippery.
This guide will walk you through every step of polishing hardwood floors, from choosing the polish to the final maintenance tips. Bonus: top reasons why the floor still looks dull despite your best effort and which “natural polishes” damage the finish.
Clean Before You Polish
If dust remains when you polish wood floors, it will get trapped and make the surface dull.
Step 1. Remove the Rugs and Furniture
For the heavier pieces, use furniture pads. This will let you slide them out of the room more easily. Rugs can be rolled up.
Step 2. Remove the Dust and Debris With a Vacuum or Broom
Never use steam. Though it may provide a deep clean, it will also bring moisture between the cracks.
You may ask, why not use the mop straight from the start? As you move the mop across the hardwood floor, you press debris, crumbs, and pet hair to the surface. They work like sandpaper, leaving micro scratches. Also, a polishing or cleaning solution works better on a clean floor without any dirt.
Sweep the floor or use the vacuum cleaner set to the bare-floor setting. Otherwise, the brush will spin and scratch the surface of the hardwood floor. Check for faulty wheels or any sharp plastic parts near the bottom or edges of the vacuum cleaner. A vacuum with a beater bar attachment can scratch the finish, while a brush attachment works gently.
Step 3. Identify the Type of Finish
You can’t know how to polish hardwood floors in your house until you know the type of finish. You can permanently damage the wooden floor if you clean it in a way that doesn’t fit.
- Polyurethaned hardwood floors can be cleaned with a small amount of water, although you do need to protect them from water spills. Never polish the floor of this type with products containing wax – this will complicate refinishing. Wax stops other finishing products from adhering. To refinish the floor next time, you’ll need to hire professionals from a wood floor company to chemically strip the wax from the wood.
- Shellac varnish or lacquered hardwood floors can’t be cleaned with water. Even a small amount will damage the finish.
There is a way to identify the finish and, based on it, decide what to use to polish wood floors of this type. You’ll need denatured alcohol and, possibly, lacquer thinner.
Choose an inconspicuous area out of foot traffic, where the finish has been protected from wear. Ideally, an area typically covered by a rug or furniture leg, somewhere in the corner. Apply 2–3 drops of the denatured alcohol. Wait several seconds and touch this spot with an old cloth. If the finish feels soft, it’s shellac, a popular finish before the 1920s.
If it doesn’t soften, try applying 2–3 drops of lacquer thinner to a different spot. Does the finish feel soft and almost flow after a couple of seconds? If yes, then it’s lacquer – provided you hadn’t skipped the previous step and it’s not shellac.
If the wood floor polish only becomes tacky and the house was built in the last 20–25 years, chances are you have a water-based polyurethane hardwood floor. But you’ll never know for sure until you do one more test. This time, try xylene – you can find it at hardware and paint stores. If it makes the finish gummy, then you have a water-based finish.
If none of the liquids dissolve the old finish, it’s most likely one of the reactive finishes: varnish or polyurethane. It cures through a chemical reaction. You’ll have to sand or scuff up the film with harsh chemicals, and only then can the wood floor be sanded, refinished, and buffed using a buffing machine.
Still not sure? A wooden flooring specialist will help you identify the finish and advise on how to polish wooden floor of this type.
Step 4. If the Floor is Polyurethaned, Mop It
Never use a damp mop on waxed hardwood floors.
- Prepare the solution.
In a bucket, mix warm water with several drops of dishwashing liquid, possibly natural dish soap. You can also try a spray bottle or plain soap. In the latter case, mild or pH-neutral soap is ideal.
Check whether the product contains any chemicals violating the wood floor warranty. Some manufacturers may void a warranty on new floors if they’ve been cleaned with anything other than a mop dampened with warm water.
- Wet the mop.
Dip a clean sponge or rag mop in the bucket, then wring it thoroughly. It should be almost dry. The mop should feel only slightly damp to the touch.
- Start mopping.
Move the microfiber mop along the wood grain using smooth strokes. Begin at the interior corner of the room, working your way toward the doorway. If you’ve opted for a product in a spray bottle, use the damp mop to spread it on the hardwood floor. Wipe any spills on the wood floor immediately.
- Get rid of stubborn dirt spots.
Manually scrub the floor with the cloth soaked with the solution. Move in the direction of the wood grain to avoid micro scratches.
- Rinse if necessary.
Some products require you to rinse the surface. Rinse the microfiber mop and damp it in clean water or use a spray mop. If you’re concerned about spills, use a clean, dry cloth or microfiber mop immediately after you’ve washed a small section of the floor.
- Leave to dry.
As you’re going to use a wood floor polish later, let the entire floor air-dry for 30 minutes – it will yield the best results.
Polishing Wood Floors
Now, you’ve got a clean floor, and you’re ready to apply the polish and then add some shine by buffing.
Step 1. Choose the Right Polish and Amount
Ideally, you would know which type of finish you have and what kind of polish for wood floors it needs from the specialist who installed it. A polyurethane finish requires water-based silicone polish, not wax. Silicone wood floor polish works on most finish types except unsealed wood. Finishes other than polyurethane can get a wax-based polish.
Advice from a wood flooring contractor on how to polish wood floors can save you from using the wrong kind of polish. In any case, use a polish formulated for hardwood floors.
Hardwood Floor Installation
Some products create a high-gloss finish that looks shiny and new for a while but leaves residues that build up over time. The floor may turn sticky and dull, trapping more dust and dirt. So, despite the initial sheen, some high-gloss polishes may eventually dull the finish on hardwood floors.
To find out the amount of wooden floor polish you’ll need, measure the room and count the square footage. The label on the bottle typically says how many square feet the polish will cover, so you’ll buy enough to polish wood floors in the room without the risk of running out of the product.
Step 2. Check out the Manufacturer’s Instructions
Wood floor waxes and polishes have major differences, so read the label carefully. Make sure your wooden floors don’t need to be sanded and waxed before you can properly polish them.
Step 3. Test an Area
Some wood floor polishes and waxes can discolor the floor even if they appear to be the right product, technically. Apply a couple of drops of wood floor polish to an area that’s not very conspicuous and is out of foot traffic. For instance, under a massive piece of furniture or in a closet. Wipe the area with a microfiber cloth, felt pads, or a microfiber pad. Do you notice any problems? Has the finish lost some of its color?
If it has, and you’ve gone through all the steps above, you may have to consult wood flooring companies to identify the type of polish you need. Most likely, though, there will be no discoloration, and you’ll be able to use the wax or polish on the entire floor.
Step 4. Apply Wax or Polish
Make sure the room is well-ventilated. Don’t use a spray bottle or a spray mop.
First, apply the wood floor polishing product in the interior part of the room. Divide the wood floor into small sections around 90 by 90 cm (3 by 3 feet) each and work with one small section at a time. Move from one corner to another, towards the doorway, so you don’t have to step onto the freshly polished wooden floors.
If you want the surface to be streak-free, the “feathering” method can be useful. Move forward, wiping the hardwood floor polishing product in a semicircle and making your strokes overlap. Another method: first wipe the product against the grain of the wood, then following the grain.
Now, we’ll discuss the details of how to polish wood floors in the room depending on the kind of polish you have: solid paste wax, liquid wax, or a water-based silicone polish.
- Solid paste wax. A soft, lint-free cotton cloth or a microfiber pad is ideal for this job. Moist the cloth or applicator pad in the wax, then wring it well – excessive wax will do more harm than good. Apply the paste on the clean floor by hand, lightly and evenly, working it into the surface.
- Liquid wax. While liquid wax might seem easier to deal with, in comparison with solid paste, the finish will not be as long-lasting. You can apply it with a cloth, an applicator pad or use a mop. Another option is a buffing machine. Apply the wood floor polish on the hardwood floor lightly and evenly. The surface may look a bit damp in the beginning, but the solvent will eventually evaporate.
- Silicone polish. Dampen a mop head and pour the liquid onto it. Also, pour some product on the wood floor. As you spread the liquid, make sure to do it evenly – you don’t need any bubbles. Let the polish dry. High traffic areas will benefit from two or three more layers of polish. After each application, wait for the liquid to dry for 24 hours, and only then repeat.
If you’ve just moved in and are unsure about the type of floor, a wood floor contractor will polish it for the first time and tell you how to make it shine and maintain it for the best results.
Step 5. Dry and Buff the Floor
Leave the polish or wax on the hardwood floor to dry completely before buffing. The exact time depends on the kind of wood floor polish you have used. Wait 6–20 hours before you walk on the hardwood floors with socks. Normal traffic must wait for at least 24 hours. The furniture can be moved back in 1–2 days. Use painter’s tape or a chair to keep the room out of reach.
When you enter the room after the wax or polish on the wood floor dries, you may notice that the surface appears hazy or cloudy. That’s because it needs buffing to add some sheen. Using a buffing machine will let you do the job faster, but you can use just a clean towel. Alternatively, go for a sponge mop covered with a terry cloth or a microfiber mop.
Depending on the type of wood floor polish, you may want to apply an additional coat to protect the hardwood floor. Use a clean cloth, an applicator pad, or a mop, and check out the manufacturer’s instructions for the exact drying time.
The steps above describe how to polish hardwood floors without sanding. However, hiring hardwood flooring contractors with a professional buffing machine will save time and guarantee the job is done professionally.
Hardwood Floor Refinishing
How to Polish Wood Floors Naturally?
While cleaning can be done using soap or just clean water, making the surface shine will require commercial hardwood flooring polish. Some substances, despite their “natural” reputation, are bad for your wood floor.
For instance, such common kitchen staples as vinegar or lemon juice. There’s too much acid in them, so this “natural wood floor polish” will only make the wooden floor dull, weaken it, and break it down.
What about mixing vinegar or lemon juice with olive oil to soften them? We don’t recommend using olive oil on sealed hardwood floors. Never use DIY hardwood floor polish based on ammonia, bleach, or alkaline products, either.
DIY vs Hiring a Pro
As you can see, proper polishing is a multistep project that requires attention and can be labor-intensive. Moreover, at least basic knowledge of finish types and how to work with them is essential. Big Bro Hardwood is happy to help you. We have 15+ years of experience with various floor types and meticulously work on every project. Hiring a hardwood flooring contractor saves time and effort, so you can concentrate on things that are really important in your life and impossible to outsource.
frequently asked questions
Can You Use Furniture Polish on Wood Floors?
No, avoid it. The hardwood floor may grow sticky, trapping dust and dirt. It may also become slippery, which is especially dangerous on wood stairs and other high-traffic areas.
Why Does the Floor Still Look Dull?
- The cleaning product or wood floor polisher doesn’t fit your type of floor.
- The dust and dirt are still there. Only a clean floor shines.
- You’ve skipped the buffing. You don’t need to use a buffing machine for it – a cloth or mop is enough.
- Micro scratches, frequent spills.
- The floor already requires sanding.
What’s the Best Way to Polish Hardwood Floors: Wax or Polish?
It all comes down to the type of finish it has. You can follow the steps above to identify it and decide whether you can polish hardwood floors with wax or polish.
How Often Should You Polish Wood Floors?
The answer depends on the number of people and pets and on how you maintain the floors. Every 3–5 years apply a new coat of polish yourself or hire a hardwood floor company who’ll use professional products and a buffing machine. Sand and refinish the hardwood floors every few decades.
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