Hardwood floors are easy on the eyes and very elegant if installed in an office or home. But regular wear and tear can cause the hardwood flooring to look dull and worn out. Hardwood floors can be restored to their original glory in a few steps.

In cleaning and polishing hardwood floors, follow the instructions below:

Step 1:
Clean the hardwood floor as suggested in the previous part of this chapter. Make sure to leave no debris as this may cause scratching of the hardwood floor when you are ready to buff and polish.

Step 2:
If you do not have a buffer machine, you can rent one out. Buff the floor according to the machine use directions. Buffing is a process that helps prevent the polish or the finish from quickly peeling away from the flooring.

Step 3:
Make sure that the hardwood floor is dry. Use a new dry rug to mop the floor before waxing or polishing.

Step 4:
Apply wax or polishing solution of choice. Paste wax lasts longer than other types and does not peel away easily. This has advantages and disadvantages. On the one hand, paste wax makes for longer shine and polish. On the other hand, regular use of paste wax makes for harder refinishing in the long run.

When applying wax or polish, it is better to do it by hand rather than by using a long-handled mop. It may be more tedious, but you are sure to get better results.

Polishing Ceramic Tiles
Ceramic tiles come highly polished and would not need to be buffed and waxed to restore them to their original gloss. However, if the tile flooring already looks dull, you can apply a commercial cleaner to make it look shiny and new. Mopping or wiping with a dry rug can enhance the gloss of tiles.

Polishing Cement Floors
Polishing raw concrete or cement floors is best left to contractors. They use highly specialized grinding machinery to get rid of pits, stains and initial coatings to prepare the floor for the final smoothing.

If the concrete is already smooth

Step 1:
Clean the floor with a broom-sweep and wipe down any remaining residue with a wet mop. Dry out the floor by letting airing it or by wiping it with a dry rag.

Step 2:
Apply ordinary floor wax by rag. If it is an outside area, you may choose to use a mop for easier application. If it an inside flooring however, it would be better to apply wax by hands.

Step 3:
After letting the wax dry for about 15 minutes, buff the floor with another mop or rag.

When applying wax, make sure to plan the areas you would be applying it on first. Avoid missing spots and apply the wax from the inner side going to the exit. This would prevent you having to go back and forth and leaving footmarks or shoe marks on the floor.

For more: How to start a cleaning service by StartingCleaningService.com