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Hardwood floors add a beautiful touch to any home, but it can be tough to maintain its natural luster. You need the absolute best hardwood floor polish if you plan to keep them looking as nice as the day they were installed.
Many people are simply using the wrong kind of polish on their floors. This results in hazy, foggy floors that are nowhere near their natural shimmer. There are ways you can test your floors to ensure you choose the right kind of polish.
When done correctly, there’s nothing quite like glossy, bright, and clean hardwood flooring. It adds life to your home by softly reflecting light. But when it’s not properly polished, it can produce a dull and lifeless look that is a major bummer.
You need a long-lasting and quality hardwood floor polish to get the job done. And that’s exactly what you’ll find here. We carefully reviewed 10 leading brands of floor polish that are sure to give you the results you want.
Not all floor polishes are made alike. That’s why it’s important to ensure that you buy one that is made for your type of flooring. We discuss what each entry does, so you know which one is right for you and your floors.
Be sure that you look at our buyer’s guide right after the reviews. It will help you get a better grip on the subject of hardwood floor polish. You’ll know what to look for so you get the very best results.
Be sure to follow the right steps in applying and finishing your new floor polish. This makes all the difference in how long it lasts and how effective it is. Take the time to do it right and soon, your hardwood floors will shine like new.
Best Hardwood Floor Polish (Updated)
Rejuvenate All Floors Restorer
This aptly-named polish does wonders for hardwood floors. In short, it brings dull, lifeless floors back to life.
It works by filling in scratches while bringing out the natural shine of your hardwood floors. Rejuvenate can be used on all hard floor types.
Thirty-two ounces covers up to 650 square feet of flooring, so you’ll be able to easily restore an entire room at little cost.
Simply mop Rejuvenate into your floors to achieve a bright, glossy shine that lasts for months. Not only will your floors look stunning, you’ll also get an impressive 50% increase in traction.
After application, it should only take about an hour to completely dry. Using Rejuvenate is quick, painless, and best of all, effective.
Key features/specs:
- Covers whole room
- Like-new shine
- For floors over 5 years-old
- Gloss finish
- 1-hour dry-time
- Non-toxic
Pros:
- Scratches clean right up
- Safe to use
- Beautiful shine
- Fast-drying
- Long-lasting
Cons:
- Stores might be out of stock
Howard Products Wood Polish & Conditioner
Like Quick Shine’s Floor Luster formula, Howard Products uses carnauba wax, as well. This adds a nice layer of protection to your floors.
But they didn’t stop there. You also get a nice helping of beeswax and conditioning oils. These help your floors look healthy and shiny.
What’s nice about this brand is that you can use it on both finished and unfinished wood. Howard Products’ Wood Polish and Conditioner works to enhance the natural beauty of hardwood in a way that other products don’t.
It keeps it from getting dried out and potentially deteriorating even more. It’s for this reason that many antique owners use Howard Products’ Polish on their collectibles.
Key features/specs:
- Restores
- Conditions
- Carnauba wax
- Beeswax
Pros:
- Highly effective
- Stunning luster
- Gives life to dull wood
Cons:
- It’s expensive
Quick Shine Hardwood Floor Luster
Quick Shine is a fast-drying polish that is certain to help your floors. This formula uses pure carnauba wax to bring a natural glow to your hardwood floors.
The application is fast and straightforward. You first want to douse your floors with it. Then, simply run a damp mop over it to spread it out evenly.
Let it dry for 30 minutes and your floors will look glossy and fresh. They will also be more durable to reduce wear from daily traffic.
You can apply more coats after the drying process incomplete if you desire. If your floors are pretty rough and scratched up, you’ll likely want to do this.
If you’re looking for a more natural approach to restoring your hardwood floors, Quick Shine has you covered. You won’t find any ammonia, fragrances, gluten, phthalate, formaldehyde, or aluminum.
Key features/specs:
- Finishes
- Maintains
- Refreshes
- Natural
- 30-minute dry-time
Pros:
- Affordable
- Dries quickly
- Long-lasting
Cons:
- May need to apply several coats to notice
Bona Hardwood Floor Polish
Bona does a tremendous job of filling in scratches, nicks, and gouges. If you don’t care for a lot of gloss, this formula adds a low-gloss finish to your hardwood floors.
The protective layer added to your floors helps to reduce scuffs while maintaining an attractive finish. Some polishes can cause your flooring to look uneven. Bona’s hardwood Floor Polish leaves your floors looking smooth and even throughout.
One of Bona’s 32-ounce bottles will cover around 500 square feet of flooring. It is reasonably-priced, too. So you can restore your hard floors without breaking the piggy bank.
After applying Bona’s Hardwood Floor Polish, you can expect to get anywhere between one to four months of protection and low-gloss luster.
Key features/specs:
- Safe
- Low-gloss
- Protective layer
- Greenguard-certified
- Long-lasting
Pros:
- Great for small scratches
- Lasts a good while
- Affordable
Cons:
- Can leave powdery residue
Weiman Wood Floor Polish and Restorer
If you’re on a budget and need fast results, give Weiman a try. Their Polish and Restorer fills in scratches using a micro-fill technology.
This formula is great for hardwood floors and doesn’t leave behind sticky residues. Thanks to its non-toxic makeup, it’s safe to use and won’t harm children or animals.
Unlike other brands that use a lot of chemicals, you don’t have to mix this one with other liquids – just open the lid and apply it directly to your floors.
You will soon have hardwood that is revitalized with elegance. The natural beauty that hardwood has will be restored once more to the way it was supposed to look.
This also serves to prevent future scratches and damages. After application, simply wait 40 to 60 minutes. You can then walk on your floors with the assurance of knowing they’ll be protected.
Key features/specs:
- Revitalized
- Beautifies
- Protects
- Prevents
- Fast-drying action
Pros:
- Affordable
- Micro-fill heals scratches
- Dries fast
Cons:
- Needs applied every couple of months
Pledge Revive It Floor Gloss
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A lot of hardwood floor polishes tend to smell pretty gnarly. Pledge did something about this trend. Revive It Floor Gloss will freshen up your home thanks to its great-smelling formula.
This stuff will make your dull flooring look like it did the day you bought it; maybe even brighter. It can last for weeks or months.
When your floors start losing their shine again, just apply more Pledge Revive It and they will once again look good as new.
A word of caution: you don’t want to use it on floors other than hardwood. Pledge’s special formula can cause unwanted effects to other types of flooring.
Key features/specs:
- Ready to use
- Makes floors look like new again
- Long-lasting shine
- Original scent
Pros:
- Effective
- Beautiful shine
- Low-cost
Cons:
- Only for hardwood
Orange Glo 4-in-1 Monthly Hardwood Floor Polish
Now here’s a nicely-priced polish that works well. Orange Glo’s 4-in-1 Hardwood Floor Polish does a commendable job of returning luster and life to your floors.
It works to fill in unsightly nicks and scratches. If your floors have been scuffed up over the years, Orange Glo can help to restore their original beauty.
It also protects your floors from daily foot traffic. If you have a lot of paws or little feet that like to slide over your floors, Orange Glo’s protective properties will keep them looking fresh.
This polish is also waterproof. You won’t have to worry about accidents or spills. Liquid is repelled and won’t soak into your wood thanks to this protective feature.
Not only will your floors be more durable, they will shine a lot longer, too. This is because Orange Glo’s polish is long-lasting and effective.
To avoid any kind of film left behind after polishing, be sure to use a microfiber cloth along your floor. You can do this by hand or with a microfiber broom or dry mop. You will then have a streak-free and scuff-free shine.
Key features/specs:
- Revitalizes
- Fills scratches
- Waterproof
- Low-cost
- Long-lasting shine
Pros:
- Effective formula
- Great for scratched floors
- Smells nice
Cons:
- Looks foggy until buffed
Bruce Floor Cleaner
If you’re on a budget but still need a quality polish for your hardwood floors, checkout Bruce. This effective polish uses a non-toxic formula to safely restore your floors.
It pulls ground-in dirt right out of your hardwood to bring it back to life. It will shine like new thanks to its effective polishing properties.
For around the same cost as other 32-ounce brands, Bruce gives you a whopping 64 ounces. Not only that, you get a 32-ounce spray bottle, as well.
Bruce’s floor polish won’t leave behind a filmy residue, so there’s less buffing. It’s ready to use right out of the bottle and doesn’t require any special mixing.
It should be noted that this polish is for non-waxed finished floors. If you use it on waxed floors, it can cause unwanted effects.
Always be sure to check a small portion of your flooring to find out what kind you have. Read our buyer’s guide below to find out how to do this.
Key features/specs:
- Cleans safely
- 64-ounce container
- 32-ounce spray bottle
- Environmentally safe
Pros:
- Cleans deep
- Great value
- Ready to use
Cons:
- Strong odor
Scott’s Liquid Gold Floor Restorer
Scott’s Liquid Gold Floor Restorer works to give you more traction on your hardwood floors and prevent slipping.
Scuffs, scratches, and nicks will all but disappear after applying Scott’s effective formula. It’s long-lasting, too. So you won’t have to keep going back to maintain your floors.
If your hardwood flooring is starting to look dull and boring, Scott’s Restorer will bring them back to life. You’ll get bright, clean, and shiny hardwood that lasts.
This stuff works so well on wood that it can be used in other applications, as well. Many have used it to restore woodwork, guitars, antiques, and more. It’s a highly-versatile and effective polishing formula.
Key features/specs:
- Enhances
- Renews
- Hides scratches
- Long-lasting
Pros:
- Inexpensive
- Versatile
- Great for scuff marks
- Lasts for months
Cons:
- Only hides scratches; doesn’t fill them
Method Wood Floor Cleaner
Method Lights’ Method Wood Floor formula is a budget-friendly way to get your hardwood floors looking clean and new.
They use plant-based concentrations in their formula to deliver an easy-to-use and effective solution. It’s non-toxic and safe to use around pets and children.
If you’re tired of chemical odors from other polishes, Method Light’s special blend will be a welcomed change. Their formula smells like almonds, leaving your home smelling just as nice as your floors look.
You get a huge, 68-ounce bottle of their hardwood floor solution at a great price. You can use this on more than hardwood, too. So that’s definitely a nice bonus if other types of flooring in your home.
Key features/specs:
- Almond aroma
- Non-toxic
- Plant-based
- Biodegradable
- Multi-surface use
Pros:
- Affordable
- Safe to use
- Smells great
Cons:
- Can leave a film
What to Consider When Buying Hardwood Floor Polish
You’ve seen what kind of hardwood floor polishes are available. Now, let’s look at what you need to consider before you buy any. This will help you make the best-educated decision so you get the best results.
Always Test First
This is crucial. Not all polishes work with hardwood floors that have a certain finish. If your floors are waxed, the polish can damage your floors in a major way.
Always check an area by scraping off a small layer. Do this on a spot no one will see, like over in a corner or under cabinetry.
If you notice that you don’t get any kind of clear compound to come up, you most likely have a penetrating finish. If that’s the case, do not use polish. These types of floors can only be waxed.
Conversely, if you do see a clear material on your knife blade, you probably have a surface finish. You can go straight ahead and start polishing.
Always Clean
You’ll have far better results polishing if you take the time to properly clean your floors first. Take out anything that will be in your way and sweep. Then sweep again. Ensure that there is no debris in sight.
For best results, use a microfiber broom. This material does wonders on hardwood floors by attracting hair and other hard-to-see things.
Take a microfiber mop head over your hardwood flooring after you have swept. This will get any last remaining hairs and dust.
Time to Polish
Always start polishing in a corner. Work your polishing solution back and forth with a mop. This will help the polish get into the wood’s pores. It will help to bring life to your floors by getting in deep.
Always work with your polish in small areas to ensure you don’t miss and spots. The thinner the layer of polish applied, the faster it will dry.
Various brands of polish dry in different amounts of time. Some may only require 30 minutes. Others can take an hour. Either way, it’s generally a good idea to let your polish sit for 24 hours. This allows it to effectively seal onto the wood and dry well.
Final Steps
You want to try your best not to track any kind of dirt or debris onto your floors while they are drying. A good precaution is to lay rugs all around to cover your path.
By preventing tracking on your freshly polished floors, you’ll allow the solution to work better. It will last longer and you won’t need to go back over it so soon.
Remember, some hardwood floor polishes have a longer life cycle than others. If you know your floors are going to see a lot of foot traffic throughout the month, look into a brand that specializes in its longevity. This will keep you from having to reapply more polish.
Conclusion
If properly maintained, your hardwood floors can last a lifetime. By using the right product for your particular style of flooring, you can be assured that you will get the best use from them.
Great-looking hardwood floors can really help the value of a home, too. If you let your floors deteriorate over time, so will your home’s overall value.
We hope you were able to find the right kind of floor polish for your hardwood floors. Be sure to refer back to our guide while shopping to answer any questions that might arise. If you don’t find one you like in our reviews, use our guidelines to help you choose one that works best for you.