Tabor City Tribune

CARING FOR HARDWOOD FLOORS: When Mrs. Eunice Singletary had her floors refinished, she gave them the thorough waxing and buffing recommended by Mrs. Elaine Blake, county home economics agent; but thanks to a new penetrating seal finish, the scene above is rare at her house.

Sealed Finish Solves Many Floor-Care Problems

The floors in Mrs. Eunice Singletary's home still have a mirror-like shine on them -- set the last time they were waxed and buffed was about a year ago when the floors were refinished.

Although it sounds hard to believe, there is a good explanation for it. When she had her floors refinished, the workmen applied a penetrating seal finish.

This is a practical finish for wood floors for more than one reason. It is similar to the hard finish on gymnasium floors. The shine is sealed into the floors and can be cared for with a minimum of waxing and buffing.

Mrs. Singletary often mops them with a dry dust mop, and this, plus the aid of scatter rugs over the main traffic areas, keeps them shining.

Also, when the time comes to refinish them again, which looks as if it will be far in the future, the floors can be refinished without being sanded.

You might really say that I enjoy caring for these floors, said Mrs. Singletary with a good-natured laugh. "because I really have had to do such a little to them."

For those who do or do not have advantages of penetrating seal finish hardwood floors, Mrs. Elaine Blake, Columbus County Home Economics Agent suggests the following steps for caring for floors:

When wood floors need a thorough cleaning, it is necessary to remove the old wax with a commercial cleaning solvent. A small area should be cleaned at the time.

Turpentine used with steel wool will remove some stubborn spots that cannot be removed with cleaning solvent.

Soap and water are not recommended for wood floors. It may raise the grain and darken the floors.

After cleaning the floor, a paste or heavy duty liquid wax is recommended.

If your wood floors are slightly soiled, a cleaning and polishing wax will serve the purpose of cleaning and waxing in one operation.

Approximately thirty minutes should be allowed before buffing the floor. Wax protects floors and provides a beautiful finish.