Get matched with top floor polishers in Karlstad, MN

Yes, you can polish an old cement floor. However, be aware that the first pass with the concrete grinder may reveal a few surprises and imperfections. You may also have to contend with the consequences of previous floor coverings, such as tile or carpet, which can leave a pattern in the concrete. Old concrete is more likely to produce uneven results if you want to use a dye or other coloring.

Most DIY floor cleaners don’t require rinsing, but you’ll want to make sure you don’t add too much dish soap or oil to the cleaner to avoid having to rinse it after cleaning. For non-wood floors, mix 8 parts warm water, 1 part vinegar, and 1 part baking soda with a few drops of dish soap. For wood floors, use olive oil in that same mixture instead of the vinegar. You can let these solutions air-dry after cleaning your floors with them, although you should manually dry your floors if they aren’t waterproof.

Wood floors should be polished every two to four months to maintain a shine and to keep them protected from daily wear and tear. More frequent maintenance includes dry mopping the floors daily and cleaning spills immediately, using a spray mop and cleaner weekly to remove any built up dirt or grime, and sanding and refinishing the floors every three to five years.

You can buff out small scratches or indentations from your hardwood floor, but refinishing is your best bet if you have larger areas that need work. Floors in relatively good shape but have lost their luster can be restored with thorough buffing. If your finish has worn off in areas or if you have sun or water damage, you should go with refinishing instead.