How to Polish Wood Floors

Co-authored by Michelle Driscoll, MPH

Last Updated: January 11, 2024 References

To keep your hardwood floors looking shiny and presentable, you should polish them every 2-4 months.^{[1]
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Research source} Floor polish fills scratches and protects the finish against future damage and over-cleaning. Before polishing, as well as every week, you should give your floors a thorough cleaning. This simple maintenance will keep your hardwood floors looking like new for years to come.

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Cleaning Wood Floors

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Ask a friend or family member to help you lift heavy furniture. If you’re cleaning your floor alone, place furniture pads under the legs and slide the furniture out of the room. Roll up any area rugs and remove them, as well.
This removes the dust and debris. Make sure your vacuum cleaner doesn’t have any rough plastic parts near the bottom or edges. Vacuum cleaners with faulty wheels can scratch floors. If you don’t have a good model, use a broom to get rid of the dust and debris.

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Find out the finish of your floor. Polyurethaned floors have a hard finish. You can clean them with a small amount of water. On the other hand, shellac or lacquered floors can’t have any water on them and may need to be waxed regularly.^{[2]
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- If your floor has been shellacked or lacquered, you’ll have to strip and wax it yearly.
- You can use denatured alcohol and lacquer thinner to test your floor finish. Test a small area of the floor you normally cover with furniture or a rug. Apply 2-3 drops of the alcohol. After a few seconds, touch the spot with an old cloth. If it feels soft, it’s shellac. If the alcohol doesn’t soften the finish, apply 2-3 drops of lacquer thinner to a nearby spot. If it softens to the touch, the finish is lacquer. If it feels tacky, it’s likely water-based.^{[3]
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Mop polyurethaned floors. Mix a few drops of dishwashing liquid with a bucket of water. Wring out the mop until it’s damp. Run the mop along the grain.^{[4]
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- Use smooth strokes. Start at the interior corner and work outward toward a doorway. This motion will keep you from stepping on your wet floors.
- Wipe up excess liquid if you see standing water. It can cause damage and buckling in your floors. Use a clean dry rag or towel. Make sure the surface is completely dry.
- Never mop floors that have been waxed. Clean them by vacuuming and sweeping.^{[5]
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Buff the floor. Get on your hands and knees to buff with a microfiber cloth. If you prefer to stand, use a dry microfiber mop. Move in a circular motion until it shines.
- You could also rent a buffing machine if you prefer. Move the machine in the direction of the wood grain.^{[6]
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Part 2

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Polishing Wood Floors

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Use water-based (urethane) polish on floors with a polyurethane finish. For other finishes, use a wax-based polish. Squirt the solution onto the floor and wipe the floors with a microfiber cloth. You can do this by hand or attach the cloth to your mop.”
Follow the directions exactly to avoid damaging your floors. Check to see if you have to sand and wax your floors before you polish them. Follow all recommended safety guidelines on the label.
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Test an area of your floor. Even if you know what kind of finish your floor has, you should test the polish to make sure it won’t discolor the wood. Locate an area under a large piece of furniture or in a closet. Apply the polish. Wipe it with a microfiber cloth.
- If no damage appears, you can polish the entire floor. If you see discoloration, seek advice from a professional contractor.
Depending on the directions, either spray the polish directly to the floor or apply it to a cloth first.^{[7]
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Research source} Use a “feathering” technique (wiping the polish in a semi-circle). Overlap your feathering strokes for a streak-free finish.
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Work from the interior corner outward. Cover 3 by 3 feet (0.91 by 0.91 m) sections at a time. Move gradually across the width of the room to the next corner. Continue along the length of the room to the third corner. Polish to the last corner. Begin to move inward to polish the center of the room. Polish the area by the doorway last to avoid ruining your hard work.
- If your floor has been waxed, apply 2-3 thin layers of polish instead of one thick layer. Wait for each coat to dry completely (about 24 hours) before applying the next one.^{[8]
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Allow the polish to dry completely. Your floor will feel tacky or sticky until it’s completely dry. For good measure, wait six to 24 hours before walking on the floor with socks. Don’t wear shoes for at least 24 hours. You can replace your furniture after 2 days.
- Block off the area with painter’s tape or a chair for at least 6 hours.
- If you have companion animals, keep them away from the polished area for at least 24 hours. You could also fit them with “doggie socks” after 6 hours.

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How do you buff and polish wood floors?

Michelle Driscoll, MPH
Professional Cleaner
Michelle Driscoll is the Owner of Mulberry Maids based in northern Colorado. Driscoll received her Masters in Public Health from the Colorado School of Public Health in 2016.

Michelle Driscoll, MPH

Professional Cleaner

Expert Answer

You can buff and polish your hardwood floors with household ingredients and microfiber cloths. All you need is dish soap to clean the floor and olive oil and vinegar to create an all-natural polish.

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What is the best thing to use to clean wood floors?

Michelle Driscoll, MPH
Professional Cleaner
Michelle Driscoll is the Owner of Mulberry Maids based in northern Colorado. Driscoll received her Masters in Public Health from the Colorado School of Public Health in 2016.

Michelle Driscoll, MPH

Professional Cleaner

Expert Answer

The best thing to use on your wood floors is a mild dish soap mixed with water. Make sure to do a thorough sweep and vacuum before mopping and always use as little moisture as needed. Also, make sure to thoroughly dry the floors after mopping to prevent streaking and pooling water.

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How do you naturally polish hardwood floors?

Michelle Driscoll, MPH
Professional Cleaner
Michelle Driscoll is the Owner of Mulberry Maids based in northern Colorado. Driscoll received her Masters in Public Health from the Colorado School of Public Health in 2016.

Michelle Driscoll, MPH

Professional Cleaner

Expert Answer

For an all natural wood floor polish, mix 2 tablespoons of olive oil, 1 tablespoon of white vinegar, and 2 cups of warm water. Squirt the solution onto the floor and wipe the floors with a microfiber cloth. You can do this by hand or attach the cloth to your mop.

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Placemats and shoe trays near the edges of the polished room to collect shoes. You can reduce scratches by sticking felt floor protectors or furniture socks to the bottom of table and chair legs.^{[9]
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