How to care for and polish your wooden floor

Before polishing......you need to clean the floors! Water-based and pH neutral cleaners are best. The pH level refers to the alkalinity or acidity of a cleane; the more acidic cleaners (with a lower pH) are better for rinsing as opposed to cleaning. Higher pH cleaners are better at cleaning but will also dull the finish over time. Cleaners that are pH neutral will clean without harming the wax. They are available at most cleaning supply stores.Dry clean first.Floors cannot be cleaned right away with wet solutions, however. First, dirt and other particles need to be swept with a broom. This should of course be done regularly anyway! Next, floors need to be vacuumed in order to get into the hard to reach areas of the floor. Once surface is cleanAfter sweeping and vacuuming, spray cleaner evenly on the floor. Wipe the floor with one rag and dry the floor with another. Excess water expands the wood and creates cracks so make sure you aren't soaking the floor or leaving any excess liquid after wiping. If you find it difficult to get down on the floor, lightly dampening a mop and then mopping the floor twice and buffing dry is another option.Once the floor has been cleaned......It is time to polish. After all furniture is cleared, a four to six inch puddle of wax should be poured onto the floor. Allow the wax applicator to absorb some wax and reapply the wax if it absorbs it all. Next, place the applicator in a corner of the room and pull it back. Wax should be spread evenly across the floor. Keep soaking the applicator in wax and overlap wax lines for an even finish. Once the wax covers the entire floor, allow thirty to sixty minutes to dry, depending on the bottle's instructions.Which wax?There are several options for floor wax, and the type one uses depends on the floor's finish. To test a wax, place a few drops in a hidden place on the floor. If the wax beads up, it can be used. If it soaks into the wood and makes it dark, it is inappropriate. In addition to the options for wax available at the store, jojoba oil, linseed oil and tung oil can also be used to polish floors. With proper care and maintenance, hardwood floors can maintain their luster and style for years.