I am wanting information on cleaning/polishing wood floors in a house built in the 50s. Most products in the stores are for sealed wood floors. I cannot afford nor am I able physically to refinish as it needs but want it to look better....otherwise, I may just paint it and that might be a nightmare in the making........thanks mamas!
We had the original 1926 wood flooring in our last house and I used Murphy's Oil Soap + water and mop. It always worked well.
Hi B., I also have old hardwood floors that aren't sealed. They were varnished several years ago but at times get dried out and don't look good at all. When this happens I use Mop & Glow. It cleans and polishes in one step. I apply it with a damp sponge mop just like the directions on the bottle suggest and it makes the floors look great! Of course not perfect, but moisturized and shiney. I think I'm going to try doing this once a month to see if I can keep them that way.
I clean houses for extra money. I have used this on old and new floors and it is GREAT.
SC Johnson's No Buff Wax (yellow can)
For the BEST results, use an old T-shirt to rub this stuff in a circular motion in sections on the floor. It loosens the dirt and then polishes the wood. Start with a little bit; you can always add more to each section, but a little goes a long way. Get a foam garden pad to kneel on to protect your knees.
I recommend doing this once or twice a year. Pledge floor polish can be used in between (be sure to put this on the damp mop before spreading not directly on the floor).
Hope this helps.
Blessings,
P. <><
Tung oil is a great way to give dry, wood floors a facelift. I am a realtor and and this is a trick people use to get houses sold. Just put it in a bucket and apply it with a mop.
Best wishes!
We had an historical (1914) home with hardwood floors also. Paste Finishing Wax (ask the guys in the paint department at Lowe's to help you if you can't find it) applied over a clean floor, then buffed off leaves the floors looking like new. It leaves a protective coating on the floor so that liquids won't soak in if something is spilled on it. It can be time consuming (depending on how many floors need to be done), but it only needs to be done once or twice a year and it's worth it. It's definitely something your teenagers can do for you. The rest of the time, all you need to do is use a dust mop with some Pledge or Endust on it. It's really not a good idea to use anything wet on wood floors that aren't sealed. Good luck!
Ace Hardware sells an awesome hardwood floor polisher called Bona. Not sure if you can use it on your type of wood but you could call and ask. They are very helpful there.
If I read correctly, you are a mom of two teens. Have them do it! I am not being mean, but I would. Especially since you have MS and aren't able.
Mix tough n tender with water and clean...it's also very safe...no toxins, chemicals or fumes! So safe for your children and pets!
Good luck!!
