How to Apply Floor Wax

Waxed floors will stay cleaner longer than unwaxed ones. But don't just dump the wax on the floor and spread it around with a rag. First you have to clean the floor. And if it's been a while, you need to remove the old wax. Follow the steps below and you'll soon have shiny waxed floors.

Instructions

1

Sweep and vacuum the floor to remove all dirt and dust.

2

Remove old wax. Mix a solution of cup ammonia with 1 gallon water. Apply enough to form a small "puddle." Let the solution sit on the floor for about 5 minutes, until the wax starts to soften.

3

Scrub off old wax using steel wool or a nylon scrubber. Work on a small area at a time, about 1- to 2-square feet. Use a circular scrubbing motion to remove wax.

4

Rinse with clean water and wipe with a soft, lint-free cloth. Allow the floor to air dry.

5

Apply wax. Dampen a soft, lint-free cloth with the wax. Apply wax to a small area of the floor at a time using straight, back and forth strokes. Reapply wax to the cloth as needed. Allow the wax to dry for an hour.

6

Apply a second coat of wax. Use the same back and forth motion to apply it to the floor at right angles to the strokes used when applying the first coat. Allow the wax to dry for one to two hours.

7

Buff floor with electric buffer or a lamb's wool applicator. This step isn't absolutely necessary, but it does give your floor a nice shine.