Why You Should (or Shouldn’t) Wax the Floors in Your Home

Once upon a time, household solid flooring consisted of three options: wood, vinyl or ceramic tile. And the standard method of treating and maintaining these flooring types was with floor wax and lots of elbow grease. Early floor wax came in paste form and had to be applied the hard way — on hands and knees, rubbing it into the floor and then buffing to a lustrous finish.

Although paste floor wax is still available, today’s homeowners have a lot more options for giving their floors a shine. And lots of modern flooring actually shouldn’t be waxed. Let’s take a closer look at whether your solid-surface floor needs waxing.

What Is Floor Wax?

Historically, floor wax was made from organic ingredients like beeswax and carnauba wax, or linseed and other plant-based oils. While some flooring experts still prefer these natural waxes, synthetic substitutes are now more popular, in part because they’re mostly sold in liquid form and are faster and easier to work with. Called floor finish or floor polish, they’re really not waxes at all but acrylic-based polymers, usually applied with a mop or microfiber pad.

Which Floors Need Waxing?

Here’s a look at which types of flooring need to be waxed, and how often.

Hardwood, including parquet. All hardwood floors, whether made from new or recycled wood, or even vintage floors that have been in place a century or more, need periodic waxing. Floor wax helps seal the porous wood surface, protects it from stains, hides scratches and dents and increases shine. Frequency: Every six to 18 months, depending on traffic and wear.

Terra-cotta. Terra-cotta and other unglazed floor tiles are typically treated with sealer and wax right after they’re installed. This brings out their color variations, adds a shiny or matte finish and protects them from stains. The wax needs to be stripped, the tiles cleaned and the wax reapplied periodically. Frequency: Every one to two years.

Vinyl composition tile (VCT). Unlike other vinyl tiles that come with a factory finish, VCT needs waxing right after it’s installed. After that, it needs to be stripped and re-waxed periodically. Frequency: Every six to 12 months.

Floors That Shouldn’t Be Waxed

You might be surprised that the list of floors that shouldn’t be waxed is much longer than the list of those that should.

Engineered hardwood. A lot of modern hardwood floors are sold as engineered hardwood planks, composed of a thin layer of hardwood bonded over plywood. They already come with an acrylic factory finish. Use the flooring manufacturer’s approved floor cleaner with a damp mop, and don’t saturate the floor with water.

Wood laminate. Laminate wood floors are made from a particleboard base with a photo-like layer bonded to the surface. Like engineered hardwood, laminates have a factory finish and will not absorb wax. Clean them with a spray cleaner made for laminate floors, applied with a microfiber pad or lint-free mop.

Bamboo. Most bamboo flooring comes pre-finished and should not be waxed. Instead, clean bamboo floors with a natural product approved for bamboo, like Better Life Natural Floor Cleaner.

Natural stone. Wax and natural stone do not mix. According to The Marble Restoration Company, “wax will not allow your stone to breath and will ultimately need to be stripped from the stone.” Wax will also dull natural stone — probably the opposite of your goal. Clean instead with a product suitable for porous stone surfaces, and reseal it periodically with a natural stone sealer.

LVT. Luxury vinyl tile (LVT) has an impermeable finish that will not absorb wax, so waxing LVT will lead to dullness and product build-up. Instead, use an easy-to-apply polish suitable for LVT flooring.

Ceramic tile. Glazed ceramic tile has an impermeable surface that will not absorb wax. Instead, about once a year, use a sealer to protect the grout as much as anything else.

Floor Waxing Tips

• For hardwood floors, the old wax must be stripped with mineral spirits before a new layer is applied.
• Paste waxes must be applied by hand with cheesecloth or a soft cotton cloth.
• Liquid waxes can be applied with a sponge mop or mop stick fitted with a microfiber pad.
• Stone sealer can be applied with a paintbrush or paint roller.
• Acrylic floor finish can be applied with a sponge mop or a mop fitted with a microfiber pad.

FAQ

How do I maintain waxed floors?

Frequent cleaning is the most effective way to maintain shine and keep the layer of wax preserved. Sweep and vacuum often, to remove dirt particles that will scratch the floor.

Alicia Sokolowski, president and CEO of AspenClean, recommends mixing a small amount of natural dish soap or pH-neutral cleaner with warm water, then mopping the floor with a damp cloth. “Avoid excessive water to protect the wax and refrain from using vinegar or harsh chemicals, as these can break down the wax,” she says.

Depending on foot traffic, you may need to reapply wax every few months to a year. “Every few months, you may also want to buff the floors with a soft cloth or machine buffer to restore their brilliance,” says Alan Dewberry, owner at Tile Factory Direct.

What should I do if my waxed floors are too shiny?

If your waxed floors are too shiny, that may mean too much wax was applied, says Dewberry. To fix, buff the surface with a soft cloth or floor buffer with a gentle abrasive pad to even out the shine.

If that doesn’t work, you may need to strip the excess wax using a wax remover or a vinegar and water solution, says Forrest Webber, owner of Bear Brothers Cleaning. “Then, reapply wax in thin, even layers for a more subtle sheen,” he says.

Be sure to follow product instructions carefully, especially with wax remover, and always test any product or method on a small, inconspicuous area to make sure it doesn’t harm your floor.

About the Experts

• Alan Dewberry is a a flooring expert and owner at Tile Factory Direct in Adairsville, Georgia, where he has worked for 22 years.
• Alicia Sokolowski is President and CEO of AspenClean, a green cleaning company and products manufacturer in Vancouver, British Columbia.
• Forrest Webber is owner of Bear Brothers Cleaning in Huntsville, Alabama, which specializes in floors, plus other aspects of home cleaning.