Photo Credit: Quang Nguyen Vinh On Pexels. CC0 License
Floor waxing polishing and cleaning hard surfaced floors doesn’t have to be a difficult job if you follow certain steps. One thing that’s definite is that you should keep it as clean as possible. In other words, if you let dirt, food, liquids, and anything else you drop or spill build up; it will take a lot longer to remove them.
Some people are tidy and can get by with cleaning a kitchen floor every week, or even less frequently. For those who aren’t quite as careful, it may need washing more often. If you want to do some spot cleaning, just mop with clear water in between scrubbings. In the meantime you’ll also want to know how to apply floor wax.
Once a year or so, depending on the age and condition of the flooring, you may want to consider removing built up floor wax. If you live in an older home and haven’t replaced the vinyl or linoleum, built up wax will discolor it. Eventually, you’ll want to put down a new floor in some areas, but until you, do apply some shine every so often.
It’s also a very good idea to get in the habit of vacuuming or sweeping floors everyday. It makes particular good sense in high traffic areas where you have vinyl or tile, or a similar treatment. We don’t always see it until there are large amounts, but dust and other small particles can accumulate.
Before we notice, we have a much harder job ahead of us in the floor waxing polishing and cleaning realm, than we’d expected. The small things get ground in as we walk on the flooring and they’re tougher to get out. There’s no point in knowing how to apply floor wax until you take the old off if there’s significant build-up.
We’ll discuss how to apply floor wax in a bit, but first let me go over some steps to take in actually washing your floors.
1. Move anything that isn’t too heavy for you out of your way
2. Thoroughly sweep to get rid of any loose material
3. Pour your favorite cleaner onto the floor or have it in bucket ready to apply
4. Have a bucket of cooler rinse water ready if it’s needed
5. Mop the floor with cleaner, squeeze the mop as dry as possible, then use the clear rinse water
How to Apply Floor Wax
Before you get out the wax, there are a couple of things you should know about how to apply floor wax. Before you apply it, your floor should be clean and dry. To ensure that it’s as clean as possible, wash it and let it dry just before waxing. If you haven’t done it for a while, you’ll have to go through the steps for removing built up floor wax.
You can look online to read up on various methods for preserving your floors. You can also look through helpful household cleaning tips. In addition to the Internet, you’ll be able to find books and pamphlets at the library and book stores.
One way of removing built up floor wax manually, is to mix detergent and ammonia with water and apply to the floor with a mop or sponge. This is one formula for a homemade wax remover. Wait a few minutes until the old wax starts to soften and then it’s time for some elbow grease. Use a stiff brush or steel wool to get down to the very base of the old wax. Another way is to use a non-abrasive wax stripper.
After removing built up floor wax you need to study up on how to apply floor wax. The main thing is to make sure the floor is clean. There isn’t any point to put a nice shine on top of a dirty floor.
If you don’t already know, find out what the floor is made of. Different materials call for various types of floor waxing polishing and cleaning. There are basics that have been around for years like vinyl and linoleum. Newer homes often have flooring made from marble, tile, hardwood, or wood composites, among other things.
When you’ve reached the stage where you’re ready to learn how to apply floor wax, you’ll need to know if there is a specific wax you should be using. Instead of crawling around on your knees, buy something to apply the wax with.
Floor waxing polishing and cleaning isn’t necessarily fun unless you’re a cleaning fanatic. It certainly doesn’t have to be a terrible experience. If you learn some helpful hints, you’ll not only take pride in your beautiful, shiny floors, you won’t be totally exhausted.
