Cleaning Old Hardwood Floor

chisels1 · 10-28-2010, 08:33 PM

This is part 2 of my Dining Room Redo. Part 1 was in the Painting Forum.

We ripped up the Rug, what we have is nice Hardwood 1928 vintage ( Maple? ) anyway the pattern is like a frame around the edge of the room about 2.5 feet then its straight pieces running the short length of our 13' x 16' room.

We don't plan on Sanding until Spring but I'd like to clean and bring out the color without a wax or ruining the eventual Sanding job.

I'm not sure what the finish is now so what could I do without harming anything.

Interesting there are a couple of holes where Radiators were, about a 2" hole

tacomahardwood. · 10-30-2010, 05:06 PM

First go get a lead test kit and use it , I have found lead in pre 1964 shellac . a completely wrung out towel and some dish soap , If you are going to refinish .You don't want wax impurities to contaminate the future finish . Or a little paint thinner , But use this moderatly and keep and eye on whats rubbung off .If it is wax then you may scub the wax finish off .
I could already be a wax finish , In that case lacquer will rub some off fairly quickly . tacomahardwoodfloors.com

ianc435 · 11-11-2010, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tacomahardwood.

First go get a lead test kit and use it , I have found lead in pre 1964 shellac . a completely wrung out towel and some dish soap , If you are going to refinish .You don't want wax impurities to contaminate the future finish . Or a little paint thinner , But use this moderatly and keep and eye on whats rubbung off .If it is wax then you may scub the wax finish off .
I could already be a wax finish , In that case lacquer will rub some off fairly quickly . tacomahardwoodfloors.com

Is cleanig wood floors newly finished with vinegar and water the best?