First aid for floors (hardwood floors, refinishing, stained, apartment)

[Gustave100]

We are renting an apartment with rather beat-up old floors. We don't want to have them re-done, as we are reluctant to invest in this rental property, and the landlord will not have them done, either. In some areas, the protective surface has washed off almost entirely. In other areas, deep scratches have scored the surface. It looks pretty bad.

Is there an acceptable short-term solution that will make the floors more presentable, and protect them? Oil? Wax? If so, we will be looking for the most ecologically friendly product, and also have to consider the presence of a toddler, so the product has to be as non-toxic as possible.

Thanks!

[Tesaje]

Are you talking wood floors? If the finish is worn off, there is little to restore them except sanding and refinishing and you probably don't want to do that. Wax is a bad idea because on bare wood it will ruin later refinishing and won't really make them look good - too far gone. I'd just get some area rugs to cover the worst spots and let it go.

[Cecilia_Rose]

If it were me Id scrub them really well and let them dry. Make sure theres no wax or oil on the floors. If theyre good Id put on one or more coats of clear finish. Yes I know youre probably finishing over dirt and youre supposed to sand and all that happy stuff. But this is a rental. The clear finish will make the floor look better and it will protect the worn spots. Also it wont hurt the floor as far as future refinishing. One more layer is no biggie.

Oh I forgot. First Id ask the land lord. Ask him to pay for the finish too. Couldnt hurt.

[riveree]

It can depend on the current finish - is it poly or wax?

If it's wax, there is something you can do:

1) Clean any stained spots with a bit of mineral spirits on a clean cloth (just wipe with the dampened cloth).

2) With another clean cloth, wipe a small amount of wax onto the worn area - just a thin coat. Allow to dry for 4-5 minutes, then, with a third clean cloth buff to a shine.

It's not perfect, it can't remove scratches (but can make them less noticeable), it won't significantly affect discolorations, but it can take care of the "dry" look some floors get after a while.

If/when the floors are properly refinished later, the wax you apply will be sanded off.

Area rugs are easier though ! And I don't know what you could do for poly floors??


****I use DuraSeal Paste Wax (neutral color), it's made by MinWax. I had to get it from a floor wholesaler recently, it's geting harder to find (so few old houses left with wax finish floors I guess?). I just did an extensive touch up on wax finish hardwood floors using the above system I outlined and they look great - practically like they did when they were refinished a few years ago .

[K'ledgeBldr]

Originally Posted by riveree

Area rugs are easier though !

DITTO! Cheap; and you take them with you when you move.