Get matched with top floor cleaners and waxers in Marion, WI

The best solution for mopping floors depends on the type of floor you have, but a good all-around or multi-purpose DIY floor cleaner is 2 cups of warm water, 5 to 10 drops of liquid dish soap, and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice. This is safe to use on tile, laminate, wood, polished concrete, vinyl, and more, as it’s relatively neutral and lacks caustic and abrasive chemicals that could be harmful to children and pets. You can also use a multi-purpose commercial cleaner, but make sure to follow the directions for safety.

Before starting on a full refinishing project, determine if your floors need to be completely sanded down to the bare wood or if the damage is shallow and mostly cosmetic. Deep scratches and gouges will require you to rough sand using a drum sander or belt sander, but small surface scratches or floors that have only lost their luster don’t need a complete overhaul. Instead, you can skip the rough sanding step and sand-screen the old finish with a buffer, removing only the top layer of polyurethane.

To properly maintain and care for hardwood floors without damaging the finish, establish a regular cleaning routine. Sweep with a broom or microfiber dust mop daily, or vacuum weekly, to remove dirt and debris that can scratch the surface; be sure to clean in tight corners and under furniture. For a deeper clean, use a damp mop with a cleaner specifically designed for hardwood floors, but avoid using harsh chemicals or excessive water, as this can damage the wood. You can further protect your floors by placing mats at entryways to catch dirt and moisture and putting felt pads under furniture legs to prevent scratches. For long-term care, refinish the floors as needed to keep them looking their best.

Yes, you can polish an existing concrete floor—as long as the slab is structurally sound and in good shape. In fact, that’s what makes this type of flooring upgrade so appealing. Polishing works best on bare concrete with minimal surface damage, although you can usually repair cracks and stains before the grinding and buffing begins. Instead of ripping out your existing concrete floor, polishing it can turn it into a high-shine showpiece that’s both practical and sleek.