Hardwood floors give a very nice touch to any residential or commercial place. However, they need to be maintained from time to time to stay in a top-notch condition, or they start to wear out. Hardwood floors retain their shine and beauty if you wax them regularly. Wax also extends the lifespan of these floors and acts as a natural barrier against moisture and dust particles. This coat of wax looks beautiful when applied; however, with time, it becomes dull because of the accumulation of dust and dirt particles on it. When this happens, you will have to wax your hardwood floors again. However, before you do that, you must strip the floor and clean it. Here is how you can strip and wax your hardwood floors in the best possible way.
Stripping Wax from Hardwood Floors
1- Prepare the Solvent
When floor wax is applied, it leaves a layer of wax behind as the solvent evaporates from it. This means that the remaining wax is soft and can be scraped off using a sharp blade or a putty knife. But you must be careful while using a sharp blade as it can damage your floors regardless of the time it will take to remove the wax. A good alternative is to re-dissolve the wax in a solvent and scrape it off afterward. Since floor wax is of different types, you will have to purchase a required solvent.
2- Prepare the Applicator
Once you have chosen the solvent, mix it with mineral spirits. Make sure that the mineral spirits you are using are odorless. Add the mixture into a spray bottle. Make sure to wear your gloves while using the mixture.
3- Spray the Floor with Solvent
After filling the spray bottle with the mixture, spray it onto the floors. Make sure you are properly moistening the cracks which are present between the boards. This will help you to remove wax from the cracks. Wet about 3-4 boards at a time with the help of a spray bottle.
4- Scrape the Wax
While the solvent is still wet, loosen the wax by rubbing it with the help of a household scrubber. Once it gets loosened, start scraping it using a blade or a knife.
5- Wipe off the Remaining Solvent
After scraping off the wax, check the area again. If you still find traces of the wax on the floor, repeat the process. Continue wetting the area and scrapping the residual wax until it is completely removed from the floors.
Waxing the Hardwood Floors
1- Clean the Floor
Make sure that when you are applying the wax, your floor is thoroughly cleaned. You can use a wet mop or a vacuum cleaner to remove the dust from it.
2- Collect Materials
Find a soft cloth, probably a t-shirt, and put it in a bucket full of water. When it is completely wet, you can use it to apply the wax.
3- Apply the Wax
Apply the wax to the wet shirt and spread it over the hardwood floor. Applying wax makes the surface cloudy. This will gradually harden the wax.
4- Polish the Floor
Hardwood floors can be sanded by hand, but when you get an electric sander, things get very easy. Having an electric sander ensures that the polish fits perfectly with the floor surface, providing prevention from moisture and dirt. Instructions are provided with an electric sander, including the buffing pads’ installation. When sanding the floors, you must start from the point that is farthest from the door, and then you should move towards the door. Moreover, you should buff the floor from left to right, or depending upon the location of your door. Hold the polisher in both hands and always work slowly and carefully. The buff rotates clockwise, so use this left-to-right motion to buff and incorporate the wax. If the size of the room is huge, the polishing pad may need to be stopped, inspected, and replaced with a new polishing pad if necessary. Once you’ve finished sanding the room, you’ll probably have to polish the areas by hand, which was left behind.
Waxing Hardwood Floors using Liquid Wax
Liquid waxes or oils are a good option to wax the hardwood floor that is not varnished. Make sure that you follow the instructions carefully. A damp cloth must be used to prevent the liquid wax from soaking. Ensure that you apply the wax properly. Once the wax gets dried, the solvent will evaporate, leaving an abrasive. After drying, polish the floor using an electric sander for better results.
Now that you know how to strip and wax your hardwood floors properly, follow all the steps mentioned above and take the necessary precautions to avoid any inconvenience or damage to your beautiful hardwood floors.
