Hardwood floors can beautify your home, but like any wood product, they must be properly cared for in order to maintain their luster and elegance. Hardwood floor refinishing is not a difficult process, but is a necessary one if those floors are to be maintained. By putting aside a little time to dedicate to refinishing hardwood floors, they will last for years, keeping that fresh and new appearance free of scratches and scuffs.

The process of refinishing hardwood floors involves two main steps: sanding and staining. Sanding removes the buildup of dirt and old wood from the floor's surface and gives you a fresh wood surface to work from. After you've sanded the floor, staining gives the floor's surface a less rough, more polished look.

Before refinishing hardwood floors, you should first check to make sure they need refinishing in the first place. A good test is to place a drop of water on the wood floor. If the wood absorbs it quickly, you should refinish the floor. If it is absorbed more slowly or not at all, you do not need to refinish the floor right away.

While you are checking, also make sure the floor does not need repair work. Some examples of problems requiring repair include warped or squeaky floor boards, badly stained wood, or other permanent damage. If you discover any of these problems, you should repair the floor before you refinish it.

If you have determined that the floor does not need other repairs besides refinishing, it is time to start your work. To begin, you will need to remove all objects from the room. Cover all openings, vents and light fixtures. Bear in mind that sanding is a messy process and it is important to protect the room from dust.

A powerful drum sander is the tool to use for your initial sanding. To avoid accidental damage to the wood, keep the drum sander continuously in motion. If it stays in one place, too much wood is lost and your floor is uneven. Move steadily. Don't rush. To get in corners and other tight spots, use an edge sander.

Once you have completed sanding, clean up, removing dust and other debris. The floor is now ready to be stained. There are a number of different stains available. Pay close attention to how long it takes for the stain to dry and how many coats are needed. There are oil and water based stains that have a variety of appearances. Choose the stain that best suits the needs of your floors and follow all instructions carefully.

Once you have finished staining and the stain has dried, give yourself a round of applause: you have just completed your own floor refinishing! Other friends and neighbors you know will have hired professionals to redo their floors, but you won't need to now that know how to refinish your own floors. The process is lengthy and takes some work, but it is worth it once you see the shine of your newly finished floor and know that you did this yourself!