After a couple years of hard use, my pre-finished hardwood flooring was starting to show some wear.
Although the finish had a lifetime warranty, it still looked a bit worn from heavy traffic and small scratches from an occasionally over-enthusiastic sheepdog.
Our floor was a big investment – we wanted to protect it and we wanted it to look as good as it did when we installed it.
We did our research and considered professional refinishing and various commercial products before deciding on and using Bona Floor Polish. We couldn’t be happier.
What is Floor Polish?
Or better said, what is it not? Floor polish is not a cleaner, it is not a stain, and it is not a permanent “finish”.
It is a protective layer, often made of urethane or wax and is usually intended to provide shine as well as protection to the permanent finish and stain.
It is intended to be used on a clean, finished floor. Think of it like waxing your car (although I don’t recommend wax polishes).
Your car has paint (the finish), but after cleaning it, you occasionally want to wax it to provide additional protection and shine. Your floor is no different, except for the type of polish it needs.
Reasons why we chose Bona:
- It is manufactured by a reputable company who cares about your floors and cares about the environment.
- It’s easy to apply and looks great.
- Fills in micro-scratches (remember our dog!).
- Provides a nice shine without building up like many wax finishes.
- Their wood-floor product works equally well for site-finished floors and pre-finished (or factory-finished) floors.
- Being a waterborne polish, it does not give off harmful fumes like many others.
- It does not require buffing (I’m a bit lazy at times).
- Bottom-line, it works!
How to Use Bona Floor Polish
First, clean your floors. Floor polish is not a cleaner and needs to be applied to a clean surface, with a clean applicator. We had the best results when we vacuumed thoroughly before using the Bona Floor Cleaner.
Once the floor is clean, we use microfiber pads or rags to apply the polish.
To do this, you simply squirt a small amount and spread with it with the grain of the wood.
We noticed that the polish goes on smoother and gives a better shine if the applicator is already moistened or wet with the polish. Do not buff, or try to “work” the polish, just smooth it on.
Although the instructions state that you can walk on it after an hour, we recommend at least 12 hours before allowing a lot of activity or furniture to be moved.
You can add a second coat in as little as 2 hours and this usually provides a little extra shine. If you repeat this process every couple months, you probably will not need the second coat in subsequent applications.
Things to be careful of:
For every negative comment or review, we found that it was almost universally caused by not following the instructions – a simple fix!
Remember, this is a polish and protective coating. You need to start with a clean surface, otherwise you are just putting urethane over dust – not a good look!
It is also important to make sure that you are not putting this over a recently oiled or waxed floor. This may prevent the polish from properly mating to the surface.
If you properly prep and clean your floor, this will not be an issue.
Also, it’s not recommended to be used on unfinished floors. While it does add a protective layer, it’s intended to be used on a previously finished floor.
Bottom Line
If you use the Bona Floor Polish according to the instructions, take some care to clean the surface where you’ll be applying it, and use proper/clean applicators, you’ll get amazing results and in turn, further protect your hardwood floor investment.
Keep in mind, you can also use their polish for stone, tile, and laminate flooring, so don’t be afraid to explore a little!
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