If you are still wondering why one would need to polish their hardwood floors, just take a second to think about all the abuse that your hardwood floors go through on a daily basis. From your pet’s sharp nails to the dragging of furniture, your hardwood floors are bound to be filled with scratches, however tough they may be.
Lucky for us, hardwood floors can easily be maintained with a hardwood flooring polish: a relatively inexpensive product that fills scratches and protects your hardwood floors against future damage.
This article will be the ultimate guide to hardwood flooring polish. We will provide you with detailed reviews of some of the best hardwood flooring polishes. You can also find how-to guides for choosing the best hardwood flooring polish as well as a step-by-step guide on how to go about polishing your hardwood floors. By the end of this article, you can say hello to shining floors!
Before you head out to grab the first hardwood flooring polish you see, here are some factors you should consider:
Your Budget
Polishing your hardwood floors is not a one time affair. You are going to have to commit to polishing your floors regularly if you want to achieve consistently shiny floors.
Therefore, before making a decision, determine how much each coat of polish will cost you. This helps you to make sure that the product that you choose is cost-effective and stays within your budget.
Some flooring polishes are suggested for use once every month while others are used once every three months. Also keep in mind that some products work best when a second coat of polish is applied. If you are on a tight budget, go for more budget-friendly options.
Product Versatility
Typically, the flooring polishes that are sold in the market are to be used on sealed hardwood. However, this is not always the case.
To choose the best hardwood flooring polish for your needs, you need to be aware of the type of flooring that you have. To be sure, always follow the directions that are provided by your floor manufacturer to determine if a product is safe to use for your flooring.
If you do not know the type of flooring that you have, it will be good to check with an expert before proceeding to make your purchase. The last thing you want to do is damage your floors!
Your Preferences
This is where your own preferences come into play. Each flooring polish comes with a different set of promises. To choose a flooring polish to buy, consider the finish or the level of shine that you want to achieve, as well as factors like fragrances.
For example, if you are one to prefer a product that achieves a shiny finish, go for a product with a high gloss finish. On the other hand, if you prefer a more natural look to your home, go for a flooring polish with a natural finish.
Some flooring polishes also come with options of different fragrances. So, if that is important to you, look out for product labels with specified scents on them.
Whether you can apply it on your own
Just as you would look at the nutritional label on food products before you make a purchase, you should always look at the usage instructions of a hardwood flooring polish. Because you are most probably not going to hire someone to do this for you, make sure that the product is easy to use and apply.
Furthermore, while most polishes can be applied with a clean mop or cloth, some require other tools that you may not have. To avoid having to break the bank to buy extra tools, check out the product label for the tools that you may need for application.
How long it takes to dry
A polish which is not given adequate time to dry can appear messy and “milky”. Therefore, when considering a product, look out for the time required for the first coat of polish to dry. This factor is particularly important for those of you who are living in humid places, as temperature and climate will affect drying times.
Whether it leaves a residue
With each use, polishes will form a layer on your hardwood flooring. To prevent an excessive build-up of residue, it would be good to choose a polish that has minimum build-up.
Our Top Picks: Hardwood Flooring Polish
With the factors of finish, value-for-money, application process, drying time, as well as residue and build-up in mind, we have chosen our top picks for the best hardwood flooring polishes. Check out each product’s detailed review and pros and cons below!
Bona Hardwood Floor Polish High Gloss is a protective formula that renews hardwood floors by filling in microscratches and scuffs, shielding against future wear and traffic, and adding a durable high gloss shine.
This product is designed for wood flooring and unlike some hardwood floor polishes, is suitable for every unwaxed, unoiled, polyurethane finished wood floor. Each bottle of Bona Hardwood Floor Polish covers 500 sq. feet of flooring, making it rather cost-effective. Bona’s manufacturers recommend that you use it once every two to three months to maintain your floor’s shine.
In terms of drying time, the urethane acrylic blend is designed for quick drying. The product will also not leave your flooring with much wax build-up even after several coats.
In addition, if you are on the lookout for a non-toxic product, this product may be the one for you. Bona’s flooring polish is certified by GreenGuard for its low chemical emission. You can rest assured that the product can safely be used in your own home.
This product by Weiman promises a Micro-filling technology which helps to remove scratches while forming a protective scratch resistant layer on your floor. The versatile polish can be used on any finished hardwood surface and leaves a rejuvenating shine with no sticky residue.
The affordable product is also safe to use around family and pets. It comes in a ready-to-use formula that requires no mixing or special processing. It is thus great for those who are particular about ease of application.
However, users of this product cite that the polish takes about 30 to 45 minutes to dry, which is considerably longer than some other products on the market. You will also have to wait for an hour before recoating. Therefore, at places with high traffic, Weiman Wood Floor Polish and Restorer may not be recommended.
Overall, if the slightly slower drying time is not an issue to you, this product does a great job in reducing the appearance of some fine lines and other imperfections on most wood floors.
If you prefer a high gloss finish on your flooring, consider TriNova Hardwood Floor Polish and Restorer. While this product is unable to undo the scratches on the surface of your floor, it will renew your wood flooring and bring out the natural shine and gloss of hardwood.
It is also easy to apply: you do not require any special tools. All you need is a mop to spread the polish and restorer on your cleaned floors. After that, you just have to wait for the polish to dry. Generally, this polish dries completely in about an hour. TriNova suggests that a one-time application is adequate to maintain your floor’s shine. You may, of course, choose to apply additional coats.
Do note that this polish results in a high gloss finish. So, if you prefer a natural finish, this may not be suitable for you. In addition, because of how shiny it leaves your floors, this product may distort depth perception of older pets and older people, causing some safety concerns. Some users also dislike that the product leaves their floors slippery.
The Orange Glo Hardwood Polish is a multipurpose product that works to clean, shine, protect, and revitalize your floors. The 4-in-1 product is value-for-money and easy to apply. With clear instructions on the label, a first-time user is able to effectively use the product. It is recommended that you use the polish once a month for an ultimate glossy finish.
This product is also well-liked by users for its durability: it is able to last you longer than others. At the same time, it is great for homes with pets and lots of foot traffic. After using this flooring polish, your home will be left with a refreshing orange scent.
Furthermore, you do not have to worry about home safety when using the Orange Glo Hardwood Floor Polish because it is made with a formulation that prevents a slippery, dangerous finish on your hardwood floors.
However, some users raised concerns about the ingredients used in this product. The ingredients are vaguely listed on the product label, and some environmental groups have raised issues regarding the ingredients used.
The Quick Shine Hardwood Floor Luster and Polish promises to restore and maintain the shine of your hardwood floors without any residue or build-up. Made of carnauba wax, which is an organic product, the product sports an EPA Safer Choice label, deeming it safe for people and surroundings.
Apart from being non-toxic, this flooring polish is also easy to apply. You just have to use a mop or buffer to apply an even coat on the floor. In addition, it dries completely in just about 30 minutes. Quick Shine recommends users to recoat high traffic areas every two to three months, and light traffic areas every four to six months to restore the beauty of hardwood floors.
Do note, however, that some users with bamboo floorings found this product unsuitable as it left their floors damaged. So, be sure to do a patch test before applying the product to large areas.
All in all, this product is great if you are looking for a polish that restores the richness, color and beauty of your hardwood floors with added durability to withstand heavy foot traffic.
If you are aiming to apply the polish evenly throughout your home, get a friend to help you to move heavy furniture out of the room. Roll up carpets and rugs and move them away too. Make sure nothing is in the way!
2. Vacuum or sweep your hardwood floors
Clean your floors to rid them of dust and dirt. If you do not have a vacuum cleaner, sweep your floors thoroughly with a broom. Then, mop your floors with a commercial wood floor cleaner for a second round of cleaning. After mopping, dry the floors completely with a clean towel.
3. Determine your floor finish
As mentioned, not all products are safe and suitable for your flooring. To determine your flooring finish, scrape off a tiny bit of your floor from an unnoticeable area of your home with a sharp blade.
If no clear material is scraped up with the blade, your floor probably has a penetrating finish. In this case, make sure that you do not polish these wood floors. They can only be waxed.
On the other hand, if you see a clear material, your flooring likely has a surface finish. You can safely begin to polish these wood floors. However, just to be safe, you should still do a patch test on a small area of your floor before proceeding to apply the polish everywhere!
4. Start the polishing process
Depending on the directions on the product packaging, either spray the polish directly to the floor or apply it to a cloth first. Then, work from the interior corner outward. In the direction of the wood grain, work the polish back and forth and smooth out any air bubbles that may appear.
Be sure to completely coat the floor. If you intend to apply more than one coat, you could apply a thinner layer for the first coat to facilitate drying. Additionally, to avoid ruining your hard work, go in a path that will have you end up near a door or an exit!
5. Allow the polish to dry completely
As mentioned, different flooring polishes have different drying times. Your floor will be sticky if the polish has not completely dried. Wait for at least a few hours before moving your furniture and carpets back to their original positions. Avoid dragging your belongings on the floor’s surface to prevent scratching.
6. Maintenance works
To maintain your floor’s shine, be sure to have a regular cleaning routine. Vacuum your floors weekly and thoroughly clean them monthly. Follow the directions of your flooring polish’s label to determine how often you need to repeat this polishing process.
Conclusion
Shiny and clean floors are often a source of envy for many. However, with this ultimate guide to the best hardwood flooring polish, you are well on your way to shiny hardwood floors. Comment down below to let us know if you have any additional tips to keep your floors shiny!
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