Tips for restoring a solid wood floor
A solid wooden floor can be the centrepiece of a traditional home. Solid wood gives the home a certain warmth, character and charm; however, some wooden floors have been unfortunately neglected. One of the main benefits of a solid wood floor however, is that if it does get damaged by scrapes, scratches or dents, it can be restored to bring it back to looking as good as new – which isn’t possible with laminate wooden flooring.
We have some tips for those of you who are ready to give their old floor new life. Like polishing a beloved pair of leather boots, expect to get your hands (and in this case, knees) dirty as you restore the former glory of your solid wood floor.
Fine-tuning your space
Clear your working area by removing all furniture and flooring obstructions – make sure to get help lifting all furniture rather than dragging it across the floor. From skirting to skirting nothing should get in your way, so take advantage of this rare chance to clear beneath skirting boards. Take care and avoid dragging anything, wait for help otherwise you risk scraping your beautiful wooden floor or damaging it even further. Around the walls and even fireplaces, you may have television cables and other tiny obstructions. It is vital you remove these and check for any nails or deep scratches in the wood.
Sanding your solid wood floor
Ideally, at this point, you will hire a floor polisher, if not get your knee pads at the ready. Hand polishing the floor will reveal the floor’s former glory by removing deep set scratches and dents. It will obviously take off any paint or varnish applied to your floor also, so this job is a large commitment with multiple stages before it is finished.
For the best results, tackle a small section first then follow up with the hoover. Working section by section minimises how much of the scattered wood returns to the cracks in the floor. Do not use a broom, you will push the dust into the cracks, and the result will be an accidental mosaic effect.
Flooring finish
Once your floor has been sanded down it is prepped for finishing. When selecting a finish, you can choose between a variety of options, such as brushed, oiled or lacquered, each giving different results. Determine if your floor is a hand scraped or brushed finish before choosing a flooring finish. Regardless of which finish you choose, note the different times the varnish takes to dry. Give your floor at least 24 hours to dry before walking on it or replacing your furniture, and for at least the first week only walk on the floor in socks, as boots and shoes may affect how the varnish dries.
Deep Clean
Once your floor is restored to its beautiful original state, keep it that way with regular care and maintenance. Regularly deep clean the floor removing ground in stains or dirt. Any marks from oils, soaps and polishes should be tackled with purpose made floor cleaner. If you use homemade cleaners or harsh chemicals, you risk damaging the floor and its finish – undoing all your previous hard work. Floor cleaners are designed to dissolve what lies on the wood, not harm the wood itself.
Tips for restoring a solid wood floor
Dry & Hoover
Remove excess water with a soft cloth, drying by hand as opposed to a mop which gives you a chance to check your cleaning up close. Take time to spot clean, after all, if it’s not clean it will be further exposed post buffing.
To ensure your floor retains its shine, put felt covers on the bases of tables and chairs. Such a small expense could preserve the state of your solid wood floor and reduce the amount of times in your floor’s lifetime that you need to refinish it.
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