Restoring Your Parquet Floor - DIY Guide

A parquet floor that is maintained and looked after flawlessly surely will last for generations and many decades. This is some really good news as parquet flooring, no matter the pattern, wood species, finish, colour, or texture, never goes out of style and will always be a perfect complement to any interior design and style. So no matter, if it comes to the contemporary living room, a farmhouse-style kitchen, or a more elegant bedroom inspired by vintage interiors and influences, a parquet floor, is the perfect background to any space and can be the focal point of every room. Looking after a real wood floor is not that complex and difficult, neither requiring a lot of energy, time, money, and elbow grease. Still, wood floors, especially parquet ones, have their specifics and require a regular, in-depth, and suitable cleaning and maintenance routine. Today we are going to discuss more about how to take proper care of your parquet floor.

Improving the condition and appearance of a parquet floor that looks a bit tired, sad, worn, and aged is usually a service you go to the specialists for. There is no doubt that parquet floors, due to their more complex patterns, are better left in the safe and experienced hands of knowledgeable professionals. However, when it does not come to more in-depth and complex parquet floor repair and all that should be done is simply rejuvenating and refreshing the look and the condition of your parquet floor, you can attempt it as a DIY project.

It is important to remember that you are not recommended to DIY your parquet floor’s “facelift” session in case you don’t feel confident and knowledgeable enough. Despite not being rocket science, all treatments and services related to parquet and designed to improve its condition and appearance are the subject of many years of training and a lot of experience and expertise gained throughout the way, which is normally only a reliable wood flooring specialist can offer. However, in case you are a handyman and know a thing about parquet flooring, you have the green light to go ahead and tackle this restoration DIY project. Otherwise, make sure to contact the professionals and better leave all the hard work in their hands.

Revive Parquet Floors: DIY Restoration for Elegance and Durability

Start your parquet flooring restoration project by removing all furniture and heavy objects from the room. Safeguard valuable items by relocating them to prevent any damage. Once the room is cleared, it's time to rid the floor of dust and debris. Use a vacuum cleaner with a suitable attachment for parquet or hard floors, or a soft brush attachment if available. Opt for a smaller, lighter vacuum to ensure mobility without risking scratches.

Gentle Cleaning for a Flawless Finish

To clean the parquet floor, use a slightly damp mop. Remember, excessive water can cause damage, so be cautious. Use warm water mixed with a hardwood floor cleaner or a neutral pH cleaning solution specifically designed for hardwood floors. Thoroughly remove debris and dirt, focusing on stubborn stains and buildup. Repeat the process if necessary until the floor is impeccably clean. Finish by mopping with warm water only to eliminate any traces of soap.

Identifying the Existing Finish

Before proceeding, select a hidden section of the floor, preferably under a sofa or larger furniture piece. This section will help determine the existing finish. If you already know the finish type, you can skip this step. Otherwise, place a few drops of water on the chosen patch and leave them for approximately 10 minutes. Inspect the results afterward. If white spots remain, it indicates an oil or wax finish. No spots suggest a lacquer or varnish finish. To remove the white spots, gently treat the surface with wax-coated steel wool.

Choosing the Right Product for Finish Restoration

Select a product specifically designed to enhance and strengthen your parquet floor's finish. Consider the finish type and explore various brands and options available in the market. These products are ideal for DIY enthusiasts seeking maintenance solutions without extensive equipment or experience. They work wonders for parquet floors that are moderately damaged or worn.

Application and Recoating

Carefully follow the manufacturer's instructions when applying the chosen product to avoid any mishaps. Most products for varnish and lacquer finishes come in polish form. For wax- or oil-finished floors, you can opt for either polish or hard wax. Apply two coats of hard wax for heavily worn parquet floors. Recoating involves applying the product over the existing finish without the need for sanding and refinishing.

Hardwood Floor Buffing for Perfect Results

Finally, achieve an exceptional and uniform finish through hardwood floor buffing. Refer to the product's guidelines to determine the recommended duration before buffing. You can use a traditional buffing block or a semi-professional buffer with a large attached pad.

What You Will Need for the Project?

• A vacuum cleaner with an attachment for hardwood floors/soft brush attachment
• Wood-washing detergent/product with a neutral pH
• Mop
• Bucket
• Mineral spirits
• Products designed for parquet floor and finish maintenance
• Cleaning rags
• Buffing block or a semi-professional buffer
• A large white pad for the buffer

Additional Tips

• In case the parquet floor is extra dirty and there is a lot of dust and dirt buildup, make sure to start cleaning it by first soaking it (don’t use extra liquid, just apply a thin layer) with the wood floor washing detergent/product and don’t add warm water. Apply the product and leave it like this for 5 minutes, then rinse the soap off the surface of the parquet floor. Then repeat the washing and rinsing process.
• Once you apply the hard wax product and buff it into the floor, you can notice some patches of the floor that are darker and sticky and this means that you have applied too much of a hard wax product there and have not blended it enough. Such as darker and sticky patches you may notice before even applying a product. This means that too much hard wax is used in the past and you can remove it by using mineral spirits and a cleaning rag.
• Avoiding scratches, dents, and stains is achieved by regular maintenance and cleaning.
• Place floor-protecting pads on the legs of heavy furniture pieces to prevent scratches and other damages.

Warnings

• When using maintenance and cleaning products on your floor, make sure to always keep the room well-ventilated and with a constant flow of fresh air. This is especially important if you are using mineral spirits for removing extra wax, as mineral spirits are heavier chemicals that can be toxic and damaging to your health.
• Never use multi-functional and dish-washing products for cleaning the floor. Always use cleaning products designed for real wood only.

Our flooring service comes with obligation-free site visit, quick quotations and free advice. Give us a call on 020 88309782 to speak to a member of our staff, who can arrange for a free assessment of your floor sanding or wood floor fitting service at a convenient for you time.