If you have hardwood flooring in your home, you will want to take all the necessary precautions to keep it looking beautiful for years to come. One of the best ways to do that is by waxing your hardwood floor. The big two questions you probably have are how to tell if you should wax your floors, and how to wax them. Both are very easy to figure out all on your own.

How To Tell If Your Floors Need Waxing

Your hardwood floors originally had either a coating or sealant applied to them to add protection. A coating blocks dirt from getting into the wood, making it easier to clean. A sealant will penetrate the hardwood and make it resistant to grime and dirt. Shiny floors have a coating, and matte floors have a sealant.

If your floors are shiny, you should not wax them. That coating is going to prevent the wax from working into the wood, and will not do any good. The best thing you can do with a coated floor is to buff it so that the shine is renewed.

Floors that are dull from having a sealant applied to them can benefit from waxing, as it will give your floors the shine that they are missing.

How To Wax Your Floors

Start by thoroughly cleaning your hardwood floors. Mop, sweep, and get every bit of dirt off the floor that you possibly can. If you leave any dirt on the floor, the wax will actually seal the dirt in, making it very difficult to remove later. Once your floors are completely dry, you can move on to the next step.

Since every type of wax is different, make sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions for the application process and drying time. This will help ensure it goes on correctly.

Typically, the waxing process will start by applying a thin coat of wax on the floors. Streaks or gobs of wax on the floor mean that you have applied way too much wax, so start off by using a little and add more as necessary. Once the first coat is applied, let it set into the wood for an hour.

Keep applying more thin coats of wax to the floor, and let it dry and absorb into the wood. You will know you are finished when the wax no longer absorbs into the wood after letting it sit for an hour. You can then wipe off the top layer of wax, and give the floor another hour to dry. Then finish the waxing process by buffing the floors.

Waxing is a great way to extend the life of your hardwood floors and keep them looking great. Talk to a professional like Taylor Steamer, LLC for more tips.