How to Wax a Parquet Floor

Parquet is one of the most popular, durable types of flooring that one can have. It is necessary to know how to wax your parquet floor to keep it in its natural pristine beauty all year round, and also extend its life.

Modern parquet, known as laminate, does not need to be waxed, because it is prefinished in polyurethane but if you have the older type of hardwood in your home, it is wise to do it yourself. This way you will avoid labor costs, which can add up, since a parquet floor needs to be waxed three to five times a year, depending on how much traffic it gets.

Step 1 - Clear the Room

Remove all furniture and any rugs from the flooring. You should also open windows to encourage ventilation and fast drying of the products to being used. It will also eliminate any pungent smells that might arise from this waxing job.

Step 2 - Vacuum

Vacuum thoroughly to remove all dust and fluff from the parquet floors. Use a slightly damp mop to wipe all over the floorboards. The mop must be only slightly damp as too much water can damage the wood. The mop is also needed for any accidental liquid spills.

Step 3 - Use a Solvent for Cleaning

Start off by referring to the manufacture's guidelines in order to check what can be used on your parquet flooring. Once you have decided which type of cleaning product is ideal for your parquet, start by applying the no-rinse cleaning detergent or the citrus solvent, following the manufacturer’s guidelines. Do not use any other detergents than the ones specified above as their use can scratch the floor.

Step 4 - Remove Spots or Stains

If there are any dark spots or stains on your floor, apply some vinegar to it, leave it for a few minutes, and then wipe it dry with the soft cloth. Do not use vinegar on clean wood.

If there is a build-up of wax on your floors you have to sand them first, but this is a job that needs specialized equipment, creates a lot of dust and hassle. If this is the case, it is best left to a professional.

Step 5 - Apply Wax

At this point you can apply the water-based acrylic wax to your parquet. Apply it in an even, thin layer, covering the whole area. This wax has specific ingredients which will form a protective surface covering which will make your parquet flooring water resistant. The applied wax is really quite odorless and will dry off in around two to three hours.

Step 6 - Polish

Once the wax has completely dried up, take hold of a soft, clean cloth and with steady and hard stokes, buff or polish the whole area. You can wrap this cloth around the base of a soft mop and make use of this to ease the task. This process will bring back the floor shine and helps to show off the real beauty of your parquet flooring.

After you are done, take note to vacuum regularly to maintain its natural beauty and avoid as much as possible wearing high heels and boots at home since they can mark your wood. Also, if you leave mats at doorways to catch any dirt and grime and area rugs in the kitchen to catch any spills, you will reduce your cleaning time by half.