After sanding and refinishing, floors will look almost as good as new. If you refinish floors without sanding, you’ll have trouble restoring areas where damage has fully penetrated the finish layer and reached the wood. Sanding is also generally necessary if you want to change the color of the wood floor.

Do I need to sand my hardwood floors?

Yes. When you want to stain or change the color of your hardwood floors, you MUST fully sand and refinish the floors. If you don’t sand the floors first, the stain won’t properly penetrate the hardwood nor will the polyurethane properly adhere. This is the ONLY way to change the color of your hardwood floors.

Can you redo hardwood floors without sanding?





Whether you have traditional hardwoods, prefinished wood, or laminated wood, restoring without sanding is a practical solution. Though you can sand your traditional hardwoods, it’s difficult or even impossible to sand prefinished or laminated wood floors.

Is it worth sanding your own floors?

Sanding wood floors & refinishing yourself will definitely save money, and even an inexperienced homeowner can likely do a better job than the lowest bidding handyperson who quotes on it. Once you understand the basics, a quality final result on your wood floor is more about patience than anything else.

How often should you sand hardwood floors?

Depending on a floor’s thickness and the experience of the flooring professional, a floor can be sanded around 4-6 times in its entire life. Hardwood floors can be refinished every 7-10 years, making the 4-6 refinishes more than enough.

How do I make my hardwood floors look new without refinishing?

To make hardwood floors look like new without refinishing:

  1. Try buffing and polishing with a commercial-grade buffer.
  2. Use a hardwood floor polishing sealant.
  3. Clean markers with toothpaste and a clean cloth.
  4. Apply a wood floor cleaner or oil soap for a high-gloss clean.




What is the cheapest way to refinish hardwood floors?

Applying a revitalizer gloss is the simplest and cheapest way to refinish hardwood floors. This approach works best on floors that only have surface-level scratches and other minor wear and tear issues. You can get the job done without the need for equipment rentals or hard-to-find materials.

Should I refinish my hardwood floors myself?

If you only have some minor scratches and dings or a dull finish, you might be able to simply buff and add a new coat of varnish. But, even if your floors need a complete makeover, refinishing hardwood is a very manageable and rewarding do-it-yourself job that can save a lot of money.

Can you stay in your house while floors are refinished?

If your hardwood floors have been sanded and finished with Bona Mega Clear HD, it is safe to sleep in the home about 2-3 hours after the project is finished, but again, only if there are other rooms that have not been robbed of their furniture – furniture should stay off floors for at least 24 hours after ANY project

How do you get scratches out of hardwood floors without sanding?



A combo of baking soda and olive oil can help reduce and remove scratches from wood. Vacuum your floor thoroughly, then apply baking soda moistened with several drops of olive oil to marred areas. Wait five minutes, then buff in gently, using a soft sponge. Clean thoroughly with a damp cloth and dry with a towel.

What is the best time of year to refinish hardwood floors?

If I had to pick an ideal time, I would say spring or fall when the indoor temperature is most consistent with outdoor temperature and it’s often easy to open the windows (after the work is complete) to help air out the smell faster. But, really, sanding and refinishing hardwood can take place any time of year.

How do I know if my floors need refinishing?

Big scratches and dents, gray floorboards and splinters are all signs that your hardwood floors need refinishing.

  1. Major scratches and dents. …
  2. Cupping. …
  3. Splinters. …
  4. Gray floorboards. …
  5. Water stains. …
  6. Fading and discoloration.


How much does it cost to refinish 500 square feet of hardwood floors?

Cost per square foot to refinish hardwood floors:

Flooring square footage Average cost
100 – 250 sq. ft. $600
251 – 500 sq. ft. $750
501 – 750 sq. ft. $1,601
751 – 1000 sq. ft. $2,100

How do you refresh worn hardwood floors?

4 Ways To Refresh The Look Of Tired Wood Floor

  1. Give it a thorough clean. Sometimes, all a tired looking wood floor needs, to help it look its best again, is a really good clean. …
  2. Top up your finish. …
  3. Buff and polish it. …
  4. Invest in a full sand and refinish.

How do I make my hardwood floors look modern?



Modern hardwood flooring can add both style and drama to any subtle room in your home. One way to achieve a chic, modern look in your home is to mix light and dark colors for a striking effect. For more rustic visuals, opt for hardwood flooring options with surface treatments such as wire-brushing.

How do I bring my old hardwood floors back to life?

How to Revitalize Floors

  1. First, give your floor a good cleaning. …
  2. Next, apply the revitalizer according to the package instructions. …
  3. Use your mop to spread the revitalizer on the floor. …
  4. Once the revitalizer is spread evenly, let it dry fully before you move furniture back in place or allow foot traffic on the floors.

Is Murphy’s oil soap good for hardwood floors?

Whether you’re cleaning one area or all of your flooring, Murphy® Oil Soap is safe to use on hardwood floors.

What shines hardwood floors best?



The 9 Best Hardwood Floor Polish in the US

  • TriNova Hardwood Floor Polish and Restorer. …
  • Quick Shine High Traffic Hardwood Floor Luster and Polish. …
  • Weiman Eco-friendly Wood Floor Polish. …
  • Rejuvenate Professional Wood Floor Restorer. …
  • Murphy Oil Soap Wood Cleaner. …
  • Minwax Hardwood Floor Reviver.

Does Murphy Oil Soap make floors shine?

A simple mixture of hot water and Murphy Oil Soap is all you need to keep laminate floors clean and shiny without the need for aggressive cleaners or harmful chemicals. Dip a mop into the Murphy Oil Soap and hot water mixture and mop over the laminate floor with large, sweeping motions.

Does bona leave a residue?

Bona products are specially designed to protect floors and the environment. Bona cleaners won’t dull your floors or leave behind any residue. Find the perfect products to clean, shine and protect your floors.