How can I further improve these 115 year old wood floors?

I recently started renting a 115 year old house. I have a few roommates, and the floors were neglected. They said a cleaner tried steaming them a few months ago but were unable to get them clean. I spent 5 hours cleaning them by hand with a soft scrub brush, a little dawn and warm water, and a little pre-diluted pine sol further diluted in the water. I understand that the pine sol can be harsh on the finish due to acidity, so used it judiciously. I then let the floors dry, and hit it with bona floor cleaner and a microfiber mop. I then let them dry a full day, and polished using Quick Shine Hardwood floor polish, just one coat so far. Before I reapply the polish, is there anything you could recommend to help finish and seal the high traffic areas that are worn down to bare wood? Since I’m renting, I can’t sand down the entire kitchen floor and refinish and seal them. Would it be possible to try and match the color, and patch finish and seal those areas? Anything is considered an improvement at this point, but I don’t want to ruin what is still in decent condition. Since I have roommates, I cannot have the entire kitchen out of commission for more than a few hours, so if I could cordon off these worn areas and refinish/seal those that would be optimal - given that the landlords approve. Any tips would be recommended. Pics are pre cleaning, post cleaning one, post bona cleaning, post polish. submitted by /u/ItsThatGuyAgain9 [link] [comments]

May 19, 2025 - 23:08

I recently started renting a 115 year old house. I have a few roommates, and the floors were neglected. They said a cleaner tried steaming them a few months ago but were unable to get them clean.

I spent 5 hours cleaning them by hand with a soft scrub brush, a little dawn and warm water, and a little pre-diluted pine sol further diluted in the water. I understand that the pine sol can be harsh on the finish due to acidity, so used it judiciously. I then let the floors dry, and hit it with bona floor cleaner and a microfiber mop.

I then let them dry a full day, and polished using Quick Shine Hardwood floor polish, just one coat so far.

Before I reapply the polish, is there anything you could recommend to help finish and seal the high traffic areas that are worn down to bare wood? Since I’m renting, I can’t sand down the entire kitchen floor and refinish and seal them. Would it be possible to try and match the color, and patch finish and seal those areas? Anything is considered an improvement at this point, but I don’t want to ruin what is still in decent condition.

Since I have roommates, I cannot have the entire kitchen out of commission for more than a few hours, so if I could cordon off these worn areas and refinish/seal those that would be optimal - given that the landlords approve. Any tips would be recommended.

Pics are pre cleaning, post cleaning one, post bona cleaning, post polish.

submitted by /u/ItsThatGuyAgain9
[link] [comments]