3 Ways to Spruce Up the Look of Your Wood Floors
by Janet Holman on Aug 15, 2013
It’s time to make those wood floors look new again. However, you won’t have to polish off a lot of dollars to do it, but one does have to employ some know how and a bit of elbow grease.
Of course, the professional renovation makes a mark on your old floors, but hiring professionals is often expensive. Furthermore, one needs to wait for a time that is convenient for them. You want your floors looking new right now. Here’s how to do it.
Method One
Check your floor for surface damage, such as stains, tarnish, and scratches. Use mildly-warm water, removing surface stains and discoloration. Next, use steel wool to scour the surface of your wood floor. Don’t scrub too hard, or you will scratch. The steel wool prepares the floor for another coat of finishing.
It’s likely, the scrubbing process reveals more dirt and excess grime. Use a broom or vacuum to rid the floor of existing debris. Now, it is time for the finish. The finish can be applied with a foam pad or sponge. Use an appropriate paintbrush or similar device to cover the corners and any areas left unfinished.
Method Two
This method involves a sander, usually, a device leveraged by professionals, yet any do-it-yourself hardware store will have them available for rent. Look for weekend sales on a belt and edge sanders. Some people feel anxious about using a sander, and for good reason; improperly using a sander can damage your floor rather than revitalize. Test the sander, seeing how your floor reacts, using a small space, such as in a closet, where damage won’t be as visually crucial.
Use the sander in a back and forth motion, reading the direction of the floor grain. Like using a trimmer for the lawn, use the edge sander around the corners and hard-to-reach places. As with the sander, apply your stain in the direction of the wood grain for the best application results, you have. Watch the paint on the walls while working with the stain! It takes more time, but it may be best to apply a strip of protective tape or covering around the walls or floor trim to ensure only the floor gets stained.
Method Three
Go to a hardware store, maybe a mom and pop shop rather than a large retailer, searching for mineral spirits. This method is not as abrasive as using a sander and usually takes only a fraction of the time. Some people don’t care for chemicals found in some other finishes, so as an alternative, try finishing with a mixture of boiled linseed oil and varnish. A pro tip about sanding: Don’t sand unless you feel it’s necessary; sanding diminishes the thickness of the wood as well as the functionality, shortening its lifespan, aside from the added costs, resources, and time it takes to leverage a sander.
That’s it! Try one of these three ways to magically transform your existing, fading wood floor. No matter how harsh it may initially appear, even after uncovering floors trapped under rugs for years, there’s an opportunity to make your old wood floors look new!
Janet Holman has a hands-on approach to all interior design tasks. She draws from her experience in interior design when blogging.
Popular Articles
Three Places to Spend Money on the Exterior of Your Home
When you have the exterior of your home remodeled, you are investing, time, energy and convenience into the project and you want to make sure that...
91709 Views
Homemade Headboards-Make an Upholstered or Wooden Headboard
Homemade headboards can add a lot of personality to any bedroom. They can be coordinated with existing furniture and room decor or they can be the...
72713 Views
When to Use a Brush, Roller or Sponge Brush
Brushes are a good choice for painting trim and woodwork. They are also useful for cutting in the edges around the top and bottom edges and corners...
71049 Views
Creating a Cottage Kitchen with Bead Board
Kitchen decor can range from modern and bold to elegant and elaborate by using strategic kitchen pieces. One of the most popular decorating trends...
51272 Views
Gas Fireplace Diagnostics and Troubleshooting
Follow these steps for diagnosing and troubleshooting Gas Fireplaces repairs. For the average DIYer, this may seem intimidating, depending on the...
29995 Views
Latest Articles
Before You Sign: How Home Inspections Identify Hidden Hazards in Your Future Home
Buying a home is exciting, but hidden dangers can turn that dream into a nightmare if not addressed early on. Beyond what is visible during a...
on Oct 18, 2024
The Appeal and Longevity of Natural Oil Finishes for Hardwood Floors
Hardwood floors exude warmth, character, and timeless appeal in any home. To preserve and enhance these qualities, choosing the right finish is...
on May 17, 2024
Understanding Indonesia’s Real Estate Investment Laws for Foreigners
Indonesia, with its stunning landscapes, deep-rooted cultural heritage, and renowned hospitality, has emerged as a top destination for foreigners...
on Jan 25, 2024
Real Estate Development in Asian Cities
In many Asian cities, the rapid pace of urban development has led to the decline of historic districts, areas once teeming with cultural richness...
on Jan 25, 2024
Shower Envy: Elevating Your Bathroom with a Stunning Walk-In Shower
Are you tired of the same old routine in your bathroom? It might be time to consider a change, and one way to elevate your bathroom to a new level...
on Jan 22, 2024
Featured Articles
What Type of Licensed Contractor Should You Hire?
on Feb 28, 2017
Hire Contractors / Estimates
Looking for a specialty project? There are many types of contractors available for your home improvement needs. Finding the right type of...
Actions
Top Categories
- Garden / Landscaping / Patio — 263
- Kitchen / Bathrooms — 240
- Real Estate / Finance — 200
- Appliance / Repair — 186
- Interior Design / Decor — 184
- HVAC / Air Conditioning — 147
- Cleaning / Maintenance — 144
- Improvements / Remodeling — 131
- Plumbing / Basements — 118
- Floors / Tile / Hardwood — 116
- Doors / Garages — 113
- Safety / Security — 113
Articles Archive
More DIY Articles
10 Innovative Ways to Make Extra Storage Room
Most people run out of storage space in their homes. If you’re a busy family with countless hobbies and interests, the need for extra storage...
Vermont Local Builders Associations
Find a local builder or council, please contact the home builders' association (HBA) in your area.
Building and Renovating: How to Choose Roof Colors and Materials
Although a variety of options are available when choosing roofing materials, the decision is mostly guided by situations and circumstances already...
Which Mattress is Right for You?
When people purchase a mattress, they do not really think about what is right for them, rather, people simply just purchase the most commonly...
Montana Local Builders Associations
Find a local builder or council, please contact the home builders' association (HBA) in your area.