Browse all categories
All Categories
Menu

How to Polish a Wooden Floor

Polishing an indoor wood floor surface is a process that requires care and attention to detail. Many opt to bring in professionals to do the job for them, but this is a task that can very realistically be achieved by yourself. In fact, it’s a lot cheaper and sometimes faster to do it yourself!

Polished floors come with numerous benefits, including floor protection from mould and scratches, as well as a clean, smart-looking finish.

Many floors require sanding and other maintenance before you start polishing them - read our detailed guide to sanding wooden floors so you can get the best DIY results.

What we'll cover

  1. Equipment you'll need
  2. Tools explained
  3. Instructions

Equipment you'll need

All products
Add to your favourites Remove from your favourites
Floor Polisher Electric
Floor Polisher Electric
Choose a branch for rates
Low stock

Low Stock Call First

Add to your favourites Remove from your favourites
Floor Stripper Walk Behind
Floor Stripper Walk Behind
Choose a branch for rates
Low stock

Low Stock Call First

Add to your favourites Remove from your favourites
Walk behind battery vacuum floor sweeper
Walk behind battery vacuum floor sweeper
Choose a branch for rates
Add to your favourites Remove from your favourites
Random Orbital Sander
Random Orbital Sander
Choose a branch for rates

Tools explained

When polishing wooden floors, there are several pieces of equipment and protective gear that you’re going to need for this job. Some are a must, whereas others are optional. Using the right equipment is essential to getting the job done properly, and hiring yours has several benefits. Hire equipment is always top of the line, in great condition and well maintained. Plus, you don’t have to worry about storing it all after your job is completed. Get in touch with Hirepool to talk with one of our staff about the hire gear that’ll be perfect for your job.

Floor polisher 

You’ll need an electric floor polisher and polish for most indoor polishing jobs. There are many floor polishers and buffers for home use (as well as commercial floor polishers) available from Hirepool, and polish can be found at any good hardware store. The type of varnish and polish will depend on the job - ask the store staff which will be best for your wood flooring needs. Some wood varnishes include:

  • Oil based Polyurethane
  • Water-Based Polyurethane
  • Wax
  • Penetrating Oil Sealer
  • Acid-Cured Finish
  • Aluminum Oxide

There are many types of floor varnish and polish, so be sure to consult a local expert before you get stuck in. 

Extension lead (optional) 

When working your way around the room with the floor polisher, it’s important that you have enough maneuverability in terms of cable length. An Extension lead will do this job perfectly - just mind that you keep the trailing cable behind you at all times, and well away from the moving machinery.

Vacuum cleaner 

A good vacuum cleaner is invaluable when preparing to carry out varnishing or polishing work. Hiring one is always a good option, as domestic vacuum cleaners are rarely powerful enough to carry out a thorough clean before you start the project.

Broom or walk behind sweeper 

A broom or walk behind floor sweeper will absolutely come in handy when prepping a floor for polish or varnish. Hirepool has an industrial floor sweeping machine for hire to ensure your floor is spotless before you begin your job.

Mop and bucket 

A sturdy mop and bucket will be needed for cleaning the floor after you’ve swept and vacuumed the space.

Varnishing before polishing 

Varnish is a type of paint-on substance that you can apply to wooden floors for a hard, clear and glossy finish. You can do this before polishing your floors if you so desire. 

Applying the varnish 

Choose a varnish that is suitable for the desired finish for your space. All varnish varies, so apply varnish following product instructions. Usually, varnish is applied with a brush, cloth or pad - just make sure to apply the product in line with the grain of the wood. Some products will recommend that you make a pass over the floor with a handheld sander, such as a random orbital sander, but always follow manufacturers instructions for the best result. 

Finishing steps 

If desired, apply a final coat of liquid wood polish or UV protector to ensure your wooden floor is durable and protected, with a beautiful high gloss finish. You may also want to varnish your floor, which will be covered in the next section. Ensure your varnished floor is fully dry before polishing.

Instructions

Step 1. Clear the space 

There are several steps to follow in clearing your floor space, prepping the surface and taking safety precautions before you start varnishing/polishing. Follow each one carefully and consult an expert if you’re not sure about any of the following steps. Clear the room of furniture and/or removable household items. If possible, remove doors and store them elsewhere to maximise maneuverability in the space. 

Step 2. Carry out a floor assessment

Inspect the floor for any dents, scratches or loose boards before you start. If you find any, it is recommended that you fill them in and/or repair them before you start. It is recommended that you carry out the timber floor sanding process again before polishing. 

If you are finishing your floors for the first time, use a wood filler to fill in any holes or cracks, and hand sand these to smooth the surface out and provide an ideal plane on which to apply polish or varnish. If you are polishing a floor that has been finished in the past, check if it has in fact been polished or waxed. Polishing directions are different for waxed floors and are not covered in this guide - ask an expert for assistance or do the appropriate research here. 

Step 3. Consult manuals

It is important to thoroughly read the manuals and instructions for all of the equipment you are going to use before you start. This will give you a superior end result and prevent misuse of the equipment/materials while you work. If you choose to apply varnish, do so now.

Step 4. Vacuum/ sweep

After you have checked off all the appropriate actions on the preparation list, you are ready to start the process of polishing your wooden floor. You should thoroughly vacuum or sweep the space first. A vacuum cleaner is great for small or medium size areas, but a broom or walk behind sweeper is much better for larger commercial floors/spaces.

Step 5. Mop and clean

Mop and clean the floor thoroughly with water and a cleaning solution to remove any dirt, grime, mould and grit.

Step 6. Set up your polisher

Lay the polisher on its back on any sturdy, hard surface to install the polishing brush head. Once completed, stand the polisher upright and connect it to a power source (a wall outlet is fine). Make sure you have a long enough extension lead to move around the room. If you need to polish a floor that’s far away from a power outlet, there are a couple of options. You can either use an extension lead or hire a generator. For more advice, read our advanced gear guide on generators.

Step 7. Turn on polisher

Maintaining hand contact and ensuring that you are always in control of the machine, lower the polisher and turn the machine on. The brush will begin to move, and you will be ready to begin polishing the floor space.

Step 8. Polish your Floor

Working methodically from the back of the room towards the centre of the room, polish your floorboards and buff until you have achieved the desired shine.

To control the movement of the flooring polisher, apply pressure on the handle and steer the machine gently in arcing motions as you polish. To move to another area quickly, lift the polisher by tilting back on the wheels and wheeling it to the desired location. Repeat this process until you are happy with the result, then wheel the polisher off the wooden floor and out of the way.

Step 9. Leave to Dry

Leave your varnish to dry for at least 24 hours. Do not step on the floor area during this time. And that’s it! Your wooden floor should be nice and polished. For other advice to do with flooring, head over to our DIY Hub. Guides and blogs that may be of interest include:

Ready to get started? 

You can bring the hardwood floors of your home, school, office or other building back to their original shine again by hiring all the equipment you need from Hirepool. You can book tools easily from your local Hirepool branch or online using the handy online booking tool. 

If you are unsure as to which pieces of equipment you’ll need for your job, the Hirepool team are always glad to lend a hand. Just drop in to your local branch whenever it’s convenient, or call us on our free number, 0800 15 15 15. If you’d like more DIY inspiration, check out our blogs, including:

Other guides for Flooring & Tiling