How to paste wax a hardwood floor

I have learned how to paste wax on an old hardwood floor. The process will work for any floor. I put this together from twenty or so sites I found when searching for methods of paste waxing floors. I learned the difference between buffing, polishing, and cleaning the floor. This will save time when you decide to wax your hardwood floor.

Buffing removes excess wax. Polishing makes the floor very shiny. Cleaning pads remove smears, spots, and scratches and redistribute the wax.

Since you are making the paste wax commitment, use a bona fide household floor machine. I use a Koblenz Cleaning Machine. If you do not want to use a machine, you can purchase buffing and polishing pads from a hardware store. You can also use a car wax buffer/polisher.

Step 1

Sweep the floor. Duh! Floor vacuums work best for pet hair. If you do not have a floor vacuum, use a microfiber mop after sweeping. Spray the microfiber mop with Endust to make cleaning easier.

Step 2

Mop with a mixture of vinegar and water. Use one gallon of water to one cup of cleaning vinegar. A sponge mop works best for controlling moisture on the hardwood floor.

Step 3

Find an old rag or towel that is mostly lint-free. Dampen the rag. Start at the wall and apply the paste wax to the hardwood floor. Yes, hands and knees. However, it goes fast. Wipe the floor with the wax, using a thin coat.

Step 4

Let the paste wax dry. Depending on the thickness of the wax coating, this should take 15 to 30 minutes. You will be able to see when the paste wax is dry because it will look cloudy and dull.

Step 5

Buff the paste wax. I use a Koblenz Cleaning Machine, which I picked up used. Because the buffing also picks up excess wax, it is prudent to have a few buffing pads on hand.

Step 6

Use a polishing pad or the polishing brushes. This will further smooth the wax. I buff again after this because I am OCD, and little streaks and spots appear.

Some tips

If you are applying past wax on a floor with a decent polyurethane finish, use less wax. If your floor is losing its finish, you can apply a little more. The finish will prevent the paste wax from sinking in, so you will need to buff it extra.

If you cannot buff out the streaks or spots, get the cleaning pads for the machine. The cleaning pads are rougher, redistribute the paste wax, and remove the spots. Buff again after the cleaning pads.