Without floor wax, wood flooring wouldn’t shine. It’s a necessary household product if you have wood floors. If you’ve never used floor wax, that’s okay as it’s easy to apply.

In its 2019 Remodeling Impact Report, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) revealed that new wood flooring was the fourth most popular project to attract buyers. According to the Hardwood Distributors Association (HDA), doormats reduce the time it takes to clean hardwood floors. They also reduce wear and tear. Dirt particles can scratch flooring and cause other damage.

The Hardwood Distributor’s Association says the quickest way to determine the type of finish on your flooring is to rub your finger across the clean floor. If you don’t leave a smudge, the floor has a sealed surface.

If you do leave a smudge, it has been treated with a penetrating seal, oil finish, shellac, varnish, or lacquer, and then waxed. Newer floors have sealed surfaces.

Top 5 Floor Wax Brands For 2022

The following floor wax products were handpicked by our team of DIY experts.

Howard Wood Polish & Conditioner

Howard Products FW0016 Wood Polish & Conditioner is a popular floor wax for all hardwood surfaces. It offers a protective coating that includes Carnauba Wax and Beeswax. This floor wax for wood contains conditioning oils that help keep wood from drying or fading.

It can be used on finished and unfinished wood for enhanced beauty, especially for the depth of the wood grain. Feed-N-Wax should be used monthly or your floors will look dry. The power of the orange oil along with the waxes is what makes it so effective.

The floor wax is straightforward. First, saturate a small cloth or pad with it, wipe it on evenly, and then let it sit for 20 minutes. Later, wipe off the excess and then use a clean, soft cloth to buff it.

This product contains petroleum distillate and is combustible, so it should be used in a well-ventilated area. It is also not advisable to use this product in kitchens.

Pros

Easy to applySpecial conditioning oils prevent fading

Cons

FlammableMust be used in well-ventilated areas

Minwax Hardwood Floor Reviver

The Minwax Hardwood Floor Reviver. Many five-star reviewers call this product “nothing short of a miracle” for hardwood floors. This floor reviver requires no special preparation other than cleaning and is stronger and more durable than a polish.

Apply this product to your wood floor and you’ll have a crystal clear finish that won’t alter its color. Available in low or high gloss options, Minwax’s reviver will keep your floor shiny and protected for three to six months.

After removing all the furniture from the room, all you have to do is clean the floor and then apply the floor reviver. It’s easy to apply and only requires one coat. Clean-up is even easier due to its water-based formula. Allow two hours for your floor to dry. You’ll need to wait 24 hours before you put the furniture back in place.

Pros

Easy clean-upEasy to apply

Cons

It’s not waterproof

Weiman Wood Floor Polish

The Weiman Wood Floor Polish and Restorer enjoys a reputation for providing a lustrous shine. The polish is made with micro-filling technology to hide scratches while forming a protective scratch-resistant layer.

This product is suitable for any finished hardwood surface, including hardwood, engineered hardwood, vinyl, and laminate floors. Just one or two coats of this restorer will give your floors a long-lasting gleam, and without the fuss and mess of buffing or refinishing.

Weiman Wood Floor Polish and Restorer is ready to use and there’s no prep other than cleaning the floor. Just sweep, vacuum, and use the Weiman floor cleaner before applying the restorer and spreading it with a clean, dry mop. It can even be used with a refillable squirt mop for even easier application.

The polished floor needs 30 minutes of drying time. If you want an even glossier shine, you can add a second coat after 45-60 minutes of drying time after the first coat. Happy buyers praise the easy application, amazing results, and how quickly the product dries.

Pros

Long-lasting shineEasy to apply

Cons

It’s not waterproof

Rejuvenate: Restorer And Polish

To revive your wood floors — along with all the other types you might have in your house — turn to the Rejuvenate All Floors Restorer and Polish. More than just adding a shine, this polymer-based floor finish fills in scratches too, making floors look like new.

Nine out of ten reviewers loved this product, which also protects your floor against stains and fading from UV rays. The best thing about this polish is that it works for many types of floors in addition to wood: laminate, vinyl, tile, linoleum, terracotta, slate, polished stone, and others.

When applying the floor wax, use a microfiber mop. You will only need to require just one coat. And, after just an hour of drying time, you’ll be back in the room, enjoying your gleaming floor. This polish is nontoxic and low in VOCs and protects the floor, resists stains, and creates no waxy buildup at all.

The floor wax also increases traction by 50 percent. The larger 32-ounce size covers up to 650 square feet, making it cost-effective.

Pros

Increases floor traction

Cons

Wears off quickly Isn’t long-lasting

Bona Professional Floor Cleaner

Before you can put a shone on the floor, you have to make sure that it’s really clean, which is where the Bona Professional Series Hardwood Floor Cleaner comes in. The wax is just like the professional brand available in supermarkets and hardware stores.

It was developed for the janitorial industry. Stronger than most home floor wax brands, but it won’t hurt your flooring. Specially formulated for use on hardwood floors, this Bona cleaner is pH neutral. You won’t have to worry about wax residue and buildup with this brand.

Pros

No residueGood on multiple wood floor styles

Cons

Requires more than one coat for adequate protection

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)FAQ

How Much Square Feet Will A 32-Ounce Bottle Of Floor Wax Cover?

It will be enough to cover two large rooms, with two coats per room. Instead of using a floor wax applicator, spread the wax with a microfiber towel attached to a dusting apparatus. After applying the first coat, let the floor wax dry for three hours before applying the second coat. Let the second coat dry overnight. The next morning your floors will look refinished.

How To Remove Old Floor Wax?

Ammonia is a popular DIY solution for when you need to strip and wax floors. The solution is easy to make. For thick wax layers, your mixture should be 70 percent ammonia, and 30 percent water.

Can I Use Floor Wax On Laminate Floors?

Floor wax should be used on real hardwood floors. If you have laminate floors, then use laminate floor wax and nothing else.

Can You Apply Floor Wax On Polyurethane Sealed Wood Floors?

Floor wax will not damage polyurethane sealed wood floors. The chemical material is formulated to rejuvenate hardwood floors. Some brands contain micro-filling technology that removes scratches. A protective, scratch resistant layer safeguards against fresh scratches. The best brands also won’t leave behind a sticky residue.

What Is The Best Floor Wax For Engineered Bamboo Flooring?

Do not use floor wax on engineered bamboo flooring. Harsh cleaning chemicals will deteriorate bamboo flooring. It is best to use pH balanced cleaners on bamboo floors.

Floor Wax Conclusion

Wood flooring is a natural, sustainable, and renewable material that has been used for centuries. However, not enough is known about its durability and long-lasting performance when subjected to different degradation agents. This is why floor wax is important.

Unless you’re waxing large surfaces, you won’t need a floor waxer machine. There are plenty of floor wax tools to choose from that will make the job easier. Hardwood floor waxing is a rewarding task, and a great way to increase your DIY home repair skills.