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.

You can mop bamboo floors, but exercise caution to protect the material from excess moisture, which can seep into the bamboo, causing it to warp and well. Moisten a microfiber mop and wring it out until it’s just damp, or use a pH-neutral cleaner, as this will prevent damage to the bamboo fibers. Avoid harsh chemicals, like traditional floor cleaners. After cleaning, wipe the floor dry.

The cost to polish floors averages around $200 per room, but you could pay anywhere from $100 to $300. Some factors that influence the total cost of floor polishing include the following:

• Square footage of flooring

• Type of floor 

• Whether you need floor repairs done beforehand

• Whether or not you want professional floor cleaning done beforehand

Since square footage is the most significant cost factor, you might get a more accurate estimate by using the average cost per square foot for floor polishing, which is between $1.00 and $2.50.

You should strip and wax hardwood floors every six months to two years. The actual length of time between stripping and waxing depends on the wear and tear that the floors see. Stripping and waxing floors can help repair hardwood floor damage and give the room a fresh look.