How to Revitalise an Old Wooden Floor

If you are lucky enough to have a wooden floor at home you will realise that whilst they look great, they are hard to look after. A great deal of upkeep is required but if you have neglected the regular cleaning and varnishing routine, your floor might be in need for some revitalisation. Never fear; follow these simple guidelines to give your beautiful floor a makeover to restore it to its former glory.

Preparing to Revitalise a Wooden Floor

First of all, make sure you are prepared for the job so you will need the necessary tools to carry out the tasks. To assist you in rejuvenating the floor, make sure you have the following to hand:

• Goggles and dust mask
• Vacuum cleaner
• Long roller and tray
• Varnish
• Fine sandpaper
• Floor sander

You’ll also need to prepare your floor before you begin working on it, to make sure that it’s in as good a condition as possible so have a mop and bucket, bicarbonate of soda, vinegar and warm water on hand.

Cleaning Your Wooden Floor
Before you sand the floor you will need to make sure it’s clean. Remove all of the furniture in your room and begin by vacuuming it thoroughly, using the attachment to clean between the boards. Take your time and be thorough as this will save you a lot of time in the long run. Next combine warm water, bicarbonate of soda and vinegar in your mop bucket. Use your mop to mix them together thoroughly. Using long strokes, clean your wooden floor with the mop and use a toothbrush to get between the boards. Make sure the floor is thoroughly dry before moving onto the next stage.

Sanding The Floor
Before you begin you must make sure to fill any small holes with wood filler, and to hammer in nails so they’re flush with your floor. Open doors and windows for ventilation and wear your safety goggles and dust mask. Sanding will remove the existing stain on your old wooden floor, what is left of it anyway, and reveal a fresh layer of wood underneath. Use a belt sander for small areas, or hire a larger sander for larger areas. If you’re not confident with sanding your own floor contact TPS Company for information about hiring their team of floor sanders. If you do decide to sand your own floor, work diagonally and use a mouse sander for corners. Vacuum, then sand again. Only sand in the direction of your floorboards if your floor is in good repair. Leave for 24hrs after sanding, then vacuum again to get rid of all dust. Make sure you do a good job here as any left over dust will mix with the varnish when applying it and will impair the end result.

Applying Varnish to Your Floor
Clear varnish will enhance the natural look of your floor, whereas coloured varnish will give your room a darker feel. Have a think about what style your room is going to have once all the furniture has been replaced and this should give you a helping hand in deciding what shade varnish to go for. When you are ready, use a roller to apply varnish in the direction of wood grain and apply in the corners using a brush. Your floor will require a minimum of three applications, and before you start the final coat make sure to rub your wooden floor down with fine sandpaper before wiping clean. Finally, leave your floor to dry for at least 8 hours.

Your old wooden floor will now look as good as new!