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In this article:Why Wax Hardwood Floors?Finding the Best Wood Floor Wax Remover
The NWFA’s Method to Strip Floor WaxWhat type of Wax Should You Use?Waxing Techniques to Achieve the Best Results
Don’t Wax Your Hardwood Floor If…A hardwood floor is the most popular choice for homeowners across North America. Waxing floors has been a natural way to preserve the wood since the mid-1800s. In wealthier homes, craftsmen would hand scrape intricate parquet floors then seal them with wax to protect against moisture and spills. We’re not talking about floors with a polyurethane finish, that’s not wax, and you should never wax that finish. Instead, we’re talking about wood floors that have wax as their protective coat Wax is still a popular topcoat that brings out the beauty of each plank. However, despite regular cleaning, wax can collect fine dirt and become dull over time. Reapplying wax rejuvenates the floor, but eventually creates a hazy build-up. The wax needs to be removed using a wood floor wax remover and reapplied to make the floor look new again. In this article, we’ll cover what wax is, how to use it, and the best wood floor wax stripper to use without damaging your floor. Why Wax Hardwood Floors?Floor wax typically contains two types of wax, carnauba, and beeswax. Carnauba is a hard-yellow substance derived from a Brazilian palm tree. Beeswax is a by-product of processing honey and is naturally soft. By combining the two with a solvent, they form a thick paste, or a liquid if it has more solvent. After applying the wax, the solvent evaporates, leaving the hardened wax behind, sealing the wood. There are two reasons to wax a wood floor:
Other benefits of waxing floors include: Covering minor scratches - Wax diminishes or eliminates the appearance of light surface scratches and scuffs marks. Extends the Life of the Floor - Waxed floors have more protection. They can last many last years longer than unwaxed floors with regular maintenance. However, floor wax is not permanent or as hard as polyurethane. Wax does wear off and can become dull. If buffing doesn’t bring it back to life, it’s time to use a wood floor wax stripper to remove the old wax and apply a fresh coat. Before you go hog-wild throwing strippers all over the floor, check to see if it’s wax on the floor or something else. The National Wood Flooring Association has a pdf brochure that you can download, called “Maintenance and Recoating of Hardwood Floors.” In it, they offer three suggestions to determine if there is wax on the floor. Be sure to test an inconspicuous area.
There are homemade floor wax removers and commercial, ready to use products. The National Wood Flooring Association suggests using mineral spirits to remove wax. There are less toxic alternatives, but most solutions use water, which isn’t suitable for a wood floor. A Solvent That Dissolves WaxMost wood floor waxes use mineral spirits to dissolve the wax to make it soft enough to apply. Therefore, your best hardwood floor wax remover is mineral spirits.
You may see a homemade recipe that uses hot water with ammonia or vinegar and detergent. Again, the hot water will soften the wax but will end up ruining the wood. Water-based floor strippers are not the answer. The water will seep into every crack, causing crowning, cupping, and staining. You can buy commercial wax removers, but most of them are too harsh for wood floors. Always read the label carefully before buying one. You need a product specifically for hardwood floors. If you buy a wax remover for linoleum or vinyl, it could seriously damage the floor’s finish. Here are three products that you should avoid.
Trewax Instant Wax Remover is not the ideal stripper for wood floors. Why? When people asked, “Can I use your wax stripper on my hardwood floor?” The company’s response was, “As this is a water-based product, it should only be used on sealed/finished wood. Using on unsealed/unfinished wood can allow the product to soak into cracks or crevices and cause lifting or swelling. We recommend testing in a small, inconspicuous area first to ensure desired results. For questions or more information, please contact .” If you are searching online, do not get this product confused with their other product, “Heavy-Duty Floor Stripper.” They are not the same, and it would be even worse to use this product on a wood floor.
Here is another wax remover not meant for wood floors. The label clearly states, “This product is not intended to be used on unprotected wood surfaces.” Yet, websites are recommending it because they get a commission.
This product is for furniture, railings, and molding. It could make the floor slippery. Beware of wrong information. Websites promote these three products as usable on wood floors. Read the label. Don’t rely on websites alone. Check with a flooring store, a paint store, or reviews on the internet. So, what can you use for wood floor wax stripping? Go with mineral spirits, plain and simple.
The NWFA’s Method to Strip Floor WaxWax removal is a big job if you have a large floor. There are no shortcuts to getting on your knees and removing the wax one section at a time. Plan on 4 to 6 hours for an average living room and kitchen. Before you get started, here are the items you’ll need:
Before you begin the stripping, you must do a bit of prep work. Remove everything from the floor, then dry-mop (with a microfiber pad) or vacuum using a dust brush attachment. Remove any dust and any loose wax from the floor. Now it’s time for some good old-fashioned wood floor wax stripping. Step 1 - Fill a spray bottle or a plastic condiment squirt bottle, as you use for ketchup, with odorless mineral spirits. Despite the name, mineral spirits are not odorless. They give off VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds), so open the windows and keep the room well ventilated while you’re working. If you’re sensitive to VOCs, be sure to wear a respirator. Step 2 - Spray the solvent along the floorboards in a 4-foot by 4-foot area. Make it easy to reach from a single position. Moisten the cracks to dissolve the wax there too. You’re going to work one small section at a time working from the far corner until you are out of the room. Step 3 - While the solvent is still wet, use a green kitchen scrubber or 0000 steel wool to scrub the area. Scrape or rub in the direction of the wood grain. Once the wax is loose, wipe it up with a rag. Step 4 - Repeat wetting and wiping until the rag shows no more discoloration from old wax. Now, move on to the next bit of the floor and keep going. Some experts recommend that you finish by mopping one time with hot water and dry it quickly with towels or rags. If there is no standing water and you can have a fan turned on to speed the drying, it should not be an issue. Tough Stain RemovalOn an older floor, you may have some deeper stains. Wet the stain with the mineral spirits. Carefully scrape using a putty knife or scrub with a toothbrush. Wipe it with a clean cloth and repeat, as necessary. When you’ve finished stripping the floor, it should be clean, dry, and ready for a new coat of wax. This video from Zeorez shows how the pros do it, with good before and after pictures. What type of Wax Should You Use?Not all floor wax is alike. Do your research and read the label. The wax must be suitable for a wood FLOOR, not just wood. Furniture polish works for wood, but if you put it on the floor, it creates a slippery, dangerous skating rink. A couple of other waxes to avoid are water-based or acrylic waxes. They can damage unfinished hardwood floors. Also, don’t use “No-Buff” wax. It’s slightly stickier than the other waxes and collects dust and dirt faster. There are two types of wax appropriate for wood floors, solid paste, and liquid. The liquid is thinner because it contains more solvent. It applies faster and dries faster but may not save you time. You’ll need multiple coats to get the same protection as paste wax. Here are a few waxes that will do a great job on wood floors.
Caution: Some websites use “Wax” interchangeably with “Reviver,” “Polish,” and “Restorer.” They are not the same thing. These products are for wood floors that already have a polyurethane finish, not bare wood. Waxing Techniques to Achieve the Best ResultsRemember, you can use wax on a hardwood floor previously treated with a penetrating wood sealer, lacquer, shellac, oil, or unfinished floors. Never on urethane-finished planks. Applying Liquid WaxIf you plan to use liquid wax, you’ll want to gather a few supplies.
Here are the 4 steps to apply liquid wax: Step 1 – Pour some wax into the bag-lined bucket. Step 2 – Dampen the mop, but not so much that it drips. Step 3 – Apply in short even strokes along the wood grain. Start from the far corner out to the door. Step 4 – Allow the wax to dry before applying another coat. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s directions. As liquid wax is thinner, expect to apply two to three coats, then buff the floor after it’s dry. Applying Paste WaxFor applying paste wax, you won’t need a mop or bucket, but you will need knee pads or a gardener’s knee pad. Other tools you’ll need are:
It just takes 2 steps to apply the paste wax: Step 1 – In a kneeling position, scoop out about one tablespoon of wax and put it in the center of a lint-free cloth. Step 2 – Spread a thin layer of wax over a 2 x 2-foot area, starting in the far corner. Rub the wax firmly into the wood in the same direction as the grain. You’ll know the wax is dry when it becomes hazy. Now it’s ready to buff. Buffing the Final CoatIf you want to combine exercise with polishing your floor, you can buff it manually. Use a mop with a terrycloth head or other soft material. Rub/buff the boards in the same direction as the grain, working your way out of the room as you did when applying the wax. You can save time and energy by renting an electric floor buffer. It’s only going to cost about $30 for a day, and it’s well worth it.
You’ll want clean new pads for the buffer. Ask the dealer what they recommend for buffing wax on a hardwood floor. Once you’ve buffed the floor, try not to walk on it or move furniture for at least eight hours. Give it time for the wax to harden fully. Don’t Wax Your Hardwood Floor If…Use wax on wood floors that don’t have polyurethane or varnish on them. Wax works over natural or stained wood, but not with a synthetic topcoat. It won’t bond properly and will look unfinished as a result. It’s becoming harder to find wax products due to the popularity of prefinished wood and polyurethane finishes. It’s no wonder since the synthetic finishes are more durable than wax. If you are considering installing a solid hardwood floor, look at Easiklip’s line of prefinished floors. They are ready to walk on the moment you install them, and there is no waxing required to maintain them. As an Amazon Associate, Easiklip Floors earns from qualifying purchases. This helps us provide more great blog content. Thank you for your support. ← Previous Post Next Post →
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