Just had the hardwood floors refinished. Should you wax? If no what else will protect the floor?

Question

I restained the hard wood floors and polyurthaned them. I was told I had to wax them, but the wax dulled them so badly they aren't as shiny now. But was told that I still need something to protect the finish. If not wax but something else.. have thought about orange glo

Answer 1

Use a solution of 1 cup white vinegar to 3 cups warm water. It removes dirt and grime but doesn't damage the polyurethene or the shine.

Since you have already dulled your floors by using something else, clean small areas (2' x 2') using the vinegar solution and a terry cloth towel or wash cloth. Rinse as you go. Dry with a clean towel before moving on to the next section. The shine will come right back.

Once the shine is restored just spot clean with the vinegar solution.

Do not use anything with citric acid (like the orange cleaners). Don't even use Murphy's. My cleaning people used it on my stairs and I had to redo with the vinegar solution.

Answer 2

Since they are polyurethaned, DON'T WAX THEM. Just vacuum dust and dirt and clean with damp mop on occassion.

You don't have to protect them further. The polyurethane finish is very hard and tough. Wax will trap dirt and it will be ground into the floors and make them dull and ruin the finish.

Answer 3

depends on whether the floor is already sealed. Did you just stain them, or did yoy actually ruthane them. If the latter, just use a little soap and water on a sponge mop to clean them, if the former, yes, wax the floor, and use murphy's oil soap to clean them

Answer 4

IT DEPENDS ON WHAT YOU REFINISHED THE FLOORSWITH. I'D POLYURATHANE THEM SO THEY HAVE A NICE GLOSS TO THEM THEN ALL YOU NEED TO DO TO CLEAN THEM IS SOAP AND WATER AND WHEN THEY DRY THEY'LL STILL HAVE THAT SAME NICE GLOSS!!!! MY HUSBANDS A PAINTER, BUT HE'S DONE DECKS , HARDWOOD FLOORS PLUS A BUNCH OF OTHER THINGS, I'VE ACTUALLY WATCHED HIM DO MY NEW HARDWOOD FLOORS, THER'RE REALLY PRETTY WITH THE POLYURATHANE!!! [e-mail]

Answer 5

You should never have to wax a urethane finished floor. Just damp mop...

Good luck.

Answer 6

a coat of polyerethane... to protect it.. and thats it.. so your good to go!

we just redid a hardwood floor and left it! The stain seemed to dry and seal up pretty nicely :D

Mop with murphys floor cleaners.. keeps it shiny!

I'll show you my floor if you show me yours? ;)

Answer 7

Putting mats at the doorways is a start.

Answer 8

i did mine, no wax required. poly does it.