Easy and effective wood floor polishing tips from pros

Wooden floors add character to make any home like nothing else. It makes a home cosier, warmer and more charming. But in course of time these floors may become dull and wear out resulting from every day wear and tear. It is possible to breathe new life into these floors through polishing. This is a tried and tested means to revitalise wear out wooden floors and make them appear brand new. We understand that a few tips and techniques related to wooden floors can make your wood floor renovation projects easier as well as easier. So here we go!

How to prepare wood floors for polishing

Simply polishing a wood floor polishing London will not bring in your desired results. Before you start polishing any wood floor it is important to get the surface properly prepared. Here are a few easy steps to prepare the surface of any wood floor for polishing.

• First clean the floor thoroughly – You have to sweep the floor thoroughly although as an alternative measure you can vacuum it too. Make sure all the dirt, dust, debris are removed from the surface and the floor is thoroughly clean. Then get a piece of clean microfiber cloth and any gentle wood floor cleaner to mop the surface with. You must stick to the instructions mentioned on the label of the cleaner while carrying out this step.
• Inspection of the floor is necessary – in the next step you have to run visual inspection of the floor carefully to identify any protruding screw, loose nail or any damaged board that requires repairing. You have to settle all these issues before polishing. According to wood floor polishing experts in London you must make sure the surface is smooth and even before taking on the polishing task.
• Get correct idea about finishing of the floor – when polishing any wood floor is concerned you must understand correctly the kind of finish it has. Your choice of polish as well as that of polishing techniques depends on the fact whether the floor has a wax or a polyurethane finish. You have to carry out a small and test to understand the matter correctly. Let a drop of water fall on the floor and it beads up then probably the finish is of polyurethane while on the other hand if the droplet of water soaks in and leaves a darkened spot then the floor has a wax finish.

As an optional step you may sand the floor surface lightly. Sanding is actually more relevant when your floor shows deep scratches or a dull finish. Use any fine grit sandpaper (the 220-grit variety is the most recommended one) and after sanding it is necessary to vacuum the floor thoroughly followed by wiping with a damp cloth. This takes away all the sanding dust from the floor surface.

Selecting the right kind of wood floor polish

It is important to select the right kind of wood floor polish to secure desired results. While selecting your wood floor polish you should better take the following factors into account –

• The type of finish – The polish that you select must be compatible with the finishing of the floor (remember, wax or polyurethane finish we discussed above). It is important to mention in this context that by chance if you select the wrong kind of polish for your floor then you will have disheartening results and the finish of the floor may get badly damaged. So, as one of the most crucial factors in wood floor polishing you must select the polish carefully.   
• Sheen level – The range of wood floor polishes is available in different sheen levels – for example satin, gloss, semi gloss, matte and others. It is better selecting a sheen that complies with the original finish of your floor. The sheen should also complement the overall décor of your room for more impressive results.

These days, eco friendliness is the call of the day; therefore you can choose an environment friendly polish having low VOC or volatile organic compounds. This variety of products cuts down the level of air pollution at your indoors while eliminating much of potential health risk.

The right polishing techniques

To ensure you adopt the correct polishing technique for your wooden floor the best thing is to go through the manufacturer’s instructions thoroughly. When you follow the manufacturer’s instructions you secure the best results of your effort in one hand while on the other it is also possible to avoid any potential damage to the floor.

Tips for a flawless finish

• Run a patch test with the polish through applying a tiny amount of it to an inconspicuous portion of the floor and wait for some time. If there is no adverse effect from the polish on the floor then you know you have chosen the right kind of product to polish the floor with.
• Applying the polish is the next step of action you should take. Pour a little quantity of the product on the floor and spread it evenly across the surface using a microfiber cloth, a sponge or an applicator pad. While spreading the polish evenly across the floor surface make sure that you always work in the direction of the wood grains. Work on tiny sections of the floor at a time and make sure to cover the entire floor surface in course of time.
• In the next step you have to allow the polish to dry up suggest professionals providing hardwood floor polish services over the years. Make sure the polish is completely dry before you walk on the floor again. The instructions on the label of the product will mention how much time the product takes to dry up completely.

If required you have to apply multiple quotes of the polish to the floor surface. This mostly depends on two factors – the condition of the floor and the expected level of shine. However it is important to note that you must allow each coat to dry up completely before you apply the next coat.

Buffing the floor for enhanced effects

In order to provide a more professional looking finish along with enhanced shine you can buff a wood floor after polishing it. Professionally trained experts working at the VIP Carpet Cleaning London suggest the following steps for successful buffing –

• Select the right kind of buffer that has suitable pad (like white or red) and is meant for wooden floors. Keep in the mind that using aggressive pads can damage the finish of your floor more than anything else.  
• Turn the buffer on and always move it in the direction of the wood grains. Overlap each pass a little to ensure an even coverage. The buffer must be moved at all times to avoid any damage of the floor.
• Once buffing is complete you must either sweep or vacuum the floor to remove dust resulting from buffing.