Learning to use paste wax on hardwood floors

I live in a 1940s home with original hardwood floors. I decided to use paste wax because the finish was worn and dull. I have tried liquid wax, but it wears off too fast. In my case, it was less than a month. I read that paste wax lasts several months and decided to use it on my hardwood floors.

I did some research and read several terrifying articles about how to prepare the floors and apply the paste wax. I did not want to sand or use steel wool on anything. And I was not going to apply the paste wax by hand. My house is entirely hardwood. I could not move all the furniture out. Yet none of the research told me how to get the paste wax out of the can and onto the floor.

I had to devise my own methods. I chose a flip mop for wax application. This has a detachable, washable cover and is soft enough to hold the wax. I am too small to move the furniture, and I had nowhere to put it anyway, since I was doing all the floors.

I used my Mighty Mite floor vacuum (which will suck the paint off the walls) and mopped the floors with my usual cleaner. I do own a Cleaning Machine with buffing attachments, so when the floors dried, I was good to go.

First, I took a small handful of the wax and threw it on the floor. I placed the flip mop on the glob of paste wax, centering it on top of the paste wax. I moved the flip mop from left to right to work the wax into the soft fabric. Then I applied the paste wax, spreading a thin layer on the floor. I did have to use a rag in the smaller places. It took about an hour to apply the wax throughout the house: two bedrooms, the hallway, the living room, and the dining room.

I set the timer for 30 minutes after I finished all the floors. I relaxed outside. When the time was up, I put the buffing pads on my Cleaning Machine and began buffing the first room I waxed. If the wax gets too thick, the buffing pads will fly off the machine. I learned this.

I continued buffing and putting the pads back on until the entire house was buffed. I used the polisher pads a few hours later and again the next day. It takes about two days for the paste wax to cure. I had to go back to the places where I put the wax on too thickly over the next two days. So be careful when spreading the wax.

The next coating will go on with a Swiffer. The sturdy paper will be more porous and apply the paste wax better.

The floors look very good. The entire process took about 2.5 hours. It was not terrifying. I didn’t need sanding and mineral spirits. I just required paste wax, an applicator, and a buffer. 

God Disarms Me

Have you ever stopped in your tracks, realizing you are full of yourself? Our knowledge, our success, our achievements-these make us feel so proud and in control. Then, in a moment, we stop and realize we are not yielding to God; instead, we are trying to make Him yield to us. Holding fast to the rudder of our destiny, all the while God is whispering, “Let go”.

God disarms me.

Within my heart are many ways,

Each tumbles.

And over each is only One.

Abiding peace, smooth steps of standing

Held fast and safe.

Revealed, this pride and jealousy and judgment:

The Word healed my blindness

Cut deep the weave of web that held my sin.

It burst forth, force, spilling onto the floor

So I could see.

Shame has gripped me.

Realizing how I have filtered the Hand of God

Gripping it to guide, bend it to my will-

God would not, and still

His love remains.

Right now, I cannot lift my eyes to look at His loveliness

So sad, horrified, and shamed by the deceit I promoted.

I have done such damage to His plan

I cannot undo my hard thoughts and hard words

They hang in the past, billowing into my present.

I do know God, His true goodness

I feel I have taken advantage of His mercy

I can only lie, face down in His presence, begging mercy

I know He loves me always

I sorrow because I have misused the Great Love

I pray for the strength to stand firm and not do it again.

God knows my heart. He remembers I am dust. I am reminded

That all I know, I want, I see, is but a wanton wisp of fleeting flesh

Fading in the light of eternity.

The downside of energy drinks

How often do you reach for an energy drink to increase alertness? While energy drinks help during tasks that require focus, regular consumption of energy drinks poses health risks and sudden death in some individuals. When we choose energy drinks as a substitute for sleep, we injure our bodies and can develop long-term health problems. Research and company product analysis reveal that the average teen and young adult consumes two to three 16-ounce to 24-ounce servings daily.

While parents recoil at the thought of young teens having coffee with breakfast, permitting energy drinks causes excess caffeine consumption and leads to a host of additional health issues. It is essential to understand that the instant alertness from an energy drink comes from excess amounts of caffeine and sugar. An eight-ounce cup of coffee contains 100 milligrams of caffeine, as does eight ounces of the average energy drink. However, the average energy drink is 16 to 24 ounces and contains 200 to 300 milligrams of caffeine per can.

When the caffeine content in the energy drink is combined with sugar (an average of 15 teaspoons, or one-third cup, per 16-ounce serving), trace B vitamins, and carnitine (an amino acid purportedly pumps up endurance and promotes fat burning. Most people only need extra carnitine if deficient (which is rare), and more than 3 grams a day can lead to stomach upset and possibly seizures. The combination of ingredients in energy drinks can lead to high blood pressure, depression, and cardiac arrhythmia. As of 2014, 34 deaths and 56 serious health events linked directly to energy drink consumption have been reported by the Food and Drug Administration. This may seem like a small number, but consider the unreported cases of high blood pressure complications, anxiety, cardio arrhythmia, and depression that have roots in overconsumption of energy drinks.

For a review of popular energy drinks by Consumer Reports, click here.

High blood pressure affects the ability of the arteries to open and close. When your blood pressure rises, the muscles in the artery wall respond by pushing back harder. This enlarges the arterial walls and makes the arteries thicker. Thicker arteries reduce the amount of blood that can pass through them.  Over time, high blood pressure leads to heart failure, kidney failure, stroke, dementia, and more. For a complete list, click here. 

Depression associated with energy drink consumption is caused by a rise in the brain chemical norepinephrine. As norepinephrine increases, negative feelings, distrust, and the desire to fight or flee from unpleasant situations increase. In addition, anxiety rises. “In previous research, we found that energy drink consumption increased blood pressure in healthy young adults,” explained first author and Mayo Clinic cardiology fellow Anna Svatikova. “We now show that the increases in blood pressure are accompanied by increases in norepinephrine, a stress hormone chemical, and this could predispose an increased risk of cardiac events — even in healthy people.”

Heart rhythm problems (heart arrhythmias) occur when the electrical impulses that coordinate your heartbeats do not work correctly, causing your heart to beat too fast, too slow, or irregularly. The excess caffeine and sugar in energy drinks can contribute to abnormal heart rhythms.

Ask yourself if the energy drink is really worth the risk. There are so many healthier ways to increase and sustain your energy. Practice getting 7-8 hours of sleep each night, and improve your diet by including lean protein and smart carbs like almonds, cheese, and Greek yogurt. While working, at home, or on the job, take a short walk (5-10 minutes) every 1.5 hours. Take naps when you can (there is nothing like a 20-minute power nap.

Get creative, boost your energy, and improve your overall health by ditching instant energy and focusing on renewable, sustainable energy.

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.  

God cares for small prayers

God answered a small prayer for me today. I had a large box of photo matte paper I got from work. The paper was high-quality, 4 ft. by 4 ft. I only wanted four sheets, but had to take the entire box. I had set it outside with a big “FREE MATTE PAPER”.

No one took it. The box fell over, was rained on, and was too heavy for me to bend and lift into my trash can. Yesterday, as I thought about how I would cut it down to get rid of it, I asked God to touch the trash man's heart so he would pick up the box for me.

This morning, I heard the recycling truck. When I left for work, I saw that the person had lifted, folded, and placed the box into one of my trash cans.

I smiled and thanked God. He really does care about even the small details of my life.