How To Fix Your Hazy Wood Flooring

Wooden floors look elegant and timeless, but only if they're in good condition. Hazy wooden floors, on the other hand, look old and unkempt. These floors have a cloudy finish, one that leaves behind a milky cast that makes the boards look dull rather than shining. But that doesn't mean you don't clean your house well or have allowed dust to build up. On the contrary, haziness is usually a result of product residue that has built up over months or years. But you might be able to reverse the damage and bring your old hardwood floors back to life with a little bit of glass cleaner.

You need to use a stronger cleaner because you need to cut through layers of product buildup. While many floor cleaners are marketed as "hardwood-safe," they aren't necessarily telling the truth. Wax paste, soap oils, and furniture sprays leave behind a thick layer of product after every use, which eventually turns hazy and dull. Here's how to cut through it.

Before you begin to scrub your wooden floors with glass cleaner, there are a few things you should know. First, you need to pick a cleaner that's ammonia-free. Ammonia can dull or scratch the finish, and can even leave behind discolored splotches if you're not careful. If you're planning to use Windex for this project, for example, ensure you grab the ammonia-free version from the store shelf. Second, even though you're planning to cut through layers of buildup, you still want to use a non-scratch scrubber or sponge. Using something too abrasive will scratch your wood flooring, leaving it looking worse than before. 

Once your tools are gathered, get on your hands and knees and liberally spray a 1- to 2-foot area with your glass cleaner. Give it a minute to penetrate the product buildup, and then use your scrubber in circular motions to cut through the haze. Wipe the residue away with a damp microfiber cloth, and repeat if necessary. Since you are working in small sections, this project will likely take you some time. But it will be well worth it when you bring some shine back into your hardwood floors.