Decades ago, household flooring consisted of only wood, vinyl, or ceramic tile. The standard method of treating and maintaining these floors was with wax and a lot of elbow grease. In those times, floor wax came in a paste and had to be applied by rubbing it into the floor and then buffing it to get a lustrous finish.
While paste floor wax is still available, today’s homeowners have many more options to give their floors a little extra shine. But lots of modern flooring shouldn’t be waxed. This article will explain whether your floor needs to be waxed and buffed.
Throughout history, floor wax has always been made from organic ingredients like beeswax, carnauba wax, linseed, and other plant-based oils. Some flooring experts still prefer these organic, natural waxes, but synthetic substitutes are more popular these days because they’re primarily sold in liquid form and are easier to work with. They are typically referred to as floor finish or floor polish and are usually applied with a mop or microfiber pad.
When it comes to flooring, certain types need to be waxed and others don’t. Each also has its rules on how often they should be waxed and buffed.
All hardwood floors, whether they are made from new or recycled wood, are vintage, or have been in place for decades or a century, need to be waxed and buffed. Floor wax helps seal the porous wood surface, protects it from stains, hides scratches and dents, and increases shine.
Hardwood floors need to be waxed every six to 18 months, depending on how much foot traffic and wear the floor is receiving.
Terra-cotta and other types of unglazed floor tiles are usually treated with sealer and wax when they are installed. This helps bring out their color, adds a shiny or matte finish, and protects them from stains. The wax on terra-cotta floors needs to be stripped and the wax reapplied periodically, typically every one to two years.
Unlike most vinyl floors, vinyl composition tile needs to be waxed right after it’s installed. Following that, it must be stripped and re-waxed periodically every six to twelve months.
There’s a long list of floors that should never be waxed. These include:
Most modern hardwood floors are sold as engineered hardwood planks, which are composed of a thin layer of hardwood bonded over plywood. They typically already come with an acrylic factory finish. You’ll want to use the flooring manufacturer’s floor cleaner with a damp mop.
Laminated wood floors are made from a particleboard base with a photo-like layer bonded to the surface. Like engineered hardwood, laminated flooring has a factory finish and will not absorb wax. You’ll want to clean them with a spray cleaner made for laminate floors, applied with a microfiber pad or lint-free mop.
Most bamboo flooring comes pre-finished and should never be waxed or buffed. Instead, you should find a natural product to clean your bamboo floors with.
If residential or commercial floor waxing is a hassle or added stress, let Powerhouse Cleaners take care of it. As the leading commercial cleaners in Schenectady, NY, we offer floor-to-ceiling, full-service solutions, and we catch the messes that others miss. More importantly, we pride ourselves on superior customer service, and our passion is handling your cleaning needs so you can manage your business. Get in touch to get started!