Non-Toxic Wood Floor Refinishing
- 1). Open windows or run exhaust fans to ventilate the work area. Even with milder materials, refinishing a floor requires heavy use of the oils involved, and can produce a strong odor.
- 2). Mop the wood floor with a floor cleaner that contains trisodium phosphate (TSP) cleaner, or mix ¼ cup of TSP into 1 gallon of warm water to create your own cleaning solution. This strong cleaner will remove all dirt, dust, wax, oil and grease from the floor, preparing it for the new finish.
- 3). Sand the entire floor surface lightly with 150-grit sandpaper. Always sand with the grain of the wood. This will open the pores of the wood slightly, which will help the wood absorb the oil more naturally.
- 4). Mix equal parts tung oil and natural citrus solvent to create a thinned oil solution to refinish your floor.
- 5). Soak a paintbrush, roller or application pad in the thinned solution. Starting in one corner, apply the oil liberally to the floor, working your way across the entire floor surface (just make sure you don't paint yourself into a corner). By the time you reach the end of the room, you will see that the oil has begun to absorb into the wood back at your starting point.
- 6). Allow the oil to soak in over most of the surface, and then start at the beginning, applying a second coat. Repeat for at least three coats; your goal is for the entire surface to stay glossy and wet for 20 to 40 minutes after application. This is how you will know that the floor is saturated with oil. Apply as many coats as necessary, waiting 40 minutes after the final coat before continuing.
- 7). Wipe down the entire floor with a lint-free cloth to remove any excess oil from oversaturated areas. When the floor is clean, allow it to dry overnight before continuing.
- 8). Repeat the application process the second day, using the same thinning ratio and using multiple coats until you receive the uniform glossy sheen. This day's work should require fewer coats, as the wood is already partially saturated.
- 9). Wipe the floor again 40 minutes after the final coat to remove excess oil. Allow the floor to dry for at least seven days before allowing dirty foot traffic over the surface; you can walk on the floor with clean shoes or socks at any time.
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