Shiny hardwood floors are a beautiful addition to modern, classic, minimalist, or cozy decor. They are an excellent investment that homeowners can enjoy for decades to come. They may even increase the value of your home when it comes time to sell. But one downside to hardwood floors is that they do require a little more maintenance if you want them to last and continue looking beautiful.
One common question homeowners have about hardwood is whether it needs to be waxed. Keep reading to learn whether to wax hardwood floors and how to do so in your home.
Should You Wax Hardwood Floors?
Many homeowners are wary about installing hardwood floors because they are worried about the upkeep. But in reality, cleaning hardwood floors and maintaining them is relatively simple, especially if you do so regularly.Waxing hardwood floors is one great way to protect your floors and keep them looking great. Wood is a porous surface. Because of this, spills like cooking oil, wine, and even water can stain and damage your hardwood floors. Waxing offers a great solution. Wood floor wax offers a number of benefits.
Wax acts as a wood sealer, helping to limit liquids and other spills from being absorbed by the wood and causing stains. If your floors are a few years old, wax can help to fade or even eliminate the appearance of scratches and scuff marks. For wood floors that are stained, wax can protect the stain from oils and other materials that can cause fading or otherwise damage the finish.
Overall, waxing hardwood floors can help preserve their beauty and protect them from everyday wear and tear. Compared to unwaxed floors, waxing your hardwood floors can preserve their lifespan.
How to Wax Hardwood Floors
Waxing and cleaning hardwood floors is easier than you might think. This is especially true if you don't let too much time pass between waxing sessions.Start by purchasing a wood floor wax. You can find these at any hardwood store. If your floors are not varnished, you can use liquid wax or oil to wax your floors. While liquid wax is easier to apply to your floors, the finish often doesn't last as long as other types of wax.
Solid paste wax is longer lasting. While it does take longer to apply to your floors, and you'll need to do so by hand, the results will last longer. This means that you can go longer between waxing sessions.
Next, grab a clean, lint-free cloth. An old T-shirt works great for this, though any kind of soft cotton cloth will work. Moisten your cloth to keep it from absorbing too much wax.
Dip the cloth in the wax, and gently apply it to your hardwood floors. It's best to start in a corner in each room that you need to wax, and work your way across, ending in a doorway. This will keep you from having to walk on the wax before it's buffed.
Apply the wax throughout your hardwood floors. Wait until the wax dries. Then, use a clean towel or a sponge mop covered in a terry cloth to buff the wax and bring your floors to a shine. You can also use an electric floor polisher to make waxing and buffing your floors even faster and easier.
How Often Do You Need to Wax Your Hardwood Floors?
How often you need to wax hardwood floors varies. If your hardwood floors receive a lot of foot traffic, they'll need to be waxed more often than floors that don't see a lot of traffic. This includes not only people walking in your home but also pets. Pets, and especially dogs, may scratch the wax and cause it to wear down more quickly.Floors that receive a lot of foot traffic may need to be waxed every six months to keep them shiny and protected from spills and scuffs. But floors that see less foot traffic may be able to be waxed just once every 18 months.
Why Choose Hardwood Floors for Your Home
Hardwood floors are a beautiful addition to any home. They add a level of sophistication and elegance to your space, while also being durable and hard-wearing. When taken care of, you can enjoy stunning hardwood floors in your home for years to come.One part of maintaining and caring for your hardwood floors is waxing them. When you wax hardwood floors, you add a level of protection that can help block stains, scuffs, and other damage. While waxing hardwood floors takes time, doing so once every six to eighteen months, depending on the level of foot traffic, can help protect them for years to come.
If you don't already have hardwood floors in your home, they can be a great addition. Not only do they add beauty to your space, but they can also increase the value of your home if you decide to sell. Installing hardwood floors can have a return on investment of between 70 and 80 percent, increasing the sale price by as much as 2.5 percent.
If you're ready to invest in hardwood floors for your home, we can help. Shop our selection of beautiful hardwood floors in a variety of colors, textures, and styles to find the perfect one for your home.
