Lifting dirt from old hardwood floors?

[kev1965]

I just pulled up my ugly carpet in my 80 yr. old home to reveal a beautiful oak floor. Big square pattern... I couldn't believe my eyes! What do i use to lift the dirt? It has a bit of padding gummed on in small, dime size areas, but comes off easy enough. It doesn't look like it has had a laquered coat of anything on it, at least not for many years. I just want to clean it real good and maybe oil it or wax. Can't afford a refinish job for a couple years. HELP!!! Thanks in advance! . Kev

[Wgoodrich]

I would remove the padding and any other larger debris by hand from the floor. Mop the floor to clean up as much as you can and let dry thoroughly, a day or two air drying afterwards. Then go to a tool rental place and rent a floor sander. Sand the floor lightly sanding with the grain of the wood. Be careful not to over sand or create dips by over sanding.

vacuum the dust from the floor. Then once the floor has been cleaned to your satisfaction. Then finish the floor with the type finish you like. Oil, polyurethane, and other types of finishes create a different look to a wood floor that looks always wet to a dull shine looking like the floor is shined by oil soap.

A quick fix if you don't want to do the above, you may hand clean all the debris from the floor. Vacuum the floor. Mop the floor well. Then let air dry for about two days. Then buy a couple of gallons of high gloss polyurethane and pour it onto the floor direct from the gallon bucket. Take a push broom to spead that polyurethane out all over the floor. Do not let anyone touch that room for 2 days. Then test to make sure it is dry. Move your furniture in on a hardwood floor that looks well worn but shines like wet floor. This also looks beautiful. All according to your taste. Old home often times looks better with some dips, dents showing floor same age as house but looking beautiful.

Your choice hope this helps

Good Luck

Wg