![]() Oil-based urethanes ( view example on Amazon) are strong-smelling, but they dry with a yellow tinge that darkens over time, which may better suit the color of an older floor. After you find the right stain, patch test a urethane finish.Ī water-based urethane ( view example on Amazon) dries quickly, with a clear, shiny finish ideal for newer floors-but it may create too much contrast if floors have darkened with age. You’ll need to reapply stain that you’ve buffed away in the process, so choose a hidden area (under the bed, in a closet) to patch-test a wood stain that matches your floor color. First, sand the floor in the direction of the grain. A fine-grained sandpaper is all you need to buff out damage. Sand out the scratches in the wood floor.Ī little elbow grease can bring life back to wood floors. Your best bet is a water-based product with a biodegradable cleaning agent, such as Begley’s (sold at big-box home improvement stores and Amazon). Commercial non-toxic wood cleaners safe for polyurethane-finished floors are also available. Next, lightly spray with fresh water and buff with a soft, dry cloth. To clean, add two to four drops of liquid soap to a quart of water, mix in a spray bottle, and mist your polyurethane-finished floor, then distribute the solution with a dry microfiber mop. Instead, use a soft mop or vacuum (with the appropriate attachment) to remove dust, hair, and surface debris. Avoid brooms or abrasive scrub pads, and never soak a floor with water or liquid cleaner. Lackluster wood can magnify the appearance of scratches and worn areas-not to mention that dirt particles ground into hardwood floors can lead to worse scratches-so your first line of action should be thorough but gentle cleaning. Fortunately, you can minimize or even completely eradicate less serious marks and discoloration with the scratch repair tips below-and restore your wood floors to their former glory. When widespread wear and tear is visible, the time- and labor-intensive process of total floor refinishing may be necessary, and in most cases, that’s a job best left to the pros. RELATED: 11 Tried-and-True Ways to Care for Hardwood Floors ![]() If your older finish is noticeably scratched, it can be stripped or sanded down, then refinished with a polyurethane-based product-a highly durable finish, resistant to abrasion and easy to clean-just be sure to use only a water-based silicone polish on polyurethane-finished floors. You can add luster to such a finish with paste or liquid wax, or oil. ![]() Consider, for example, a wood floor installed prior to 1970, which was probably finished with varnish or shellac. Your floor’s finish works to protect it from everyday wear and tear, but it’s important to know what kind of finish you’ve got in order to maintain it. ![]()
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