Spring is the time of renewal. Birds chirp, daffodils bloom and sunshine (when it chooses to grace us with its presence) streams through dirty windows.
That great big, beautiful, glowing orb in the sky does powerful things. It shines a light on every speck of dust in my living room and spurs me into a spring-cleaning rampage.
I’ve spent the last week, Norwex cloth in hand, bringing dead things to life. Sticky cabinets gleam. The baseboards appear brand new. Comforters and afghans smell like fresh laundry. I turned on my self-cleaning oven and accidentally left a nasty old baking sheet inside. Thank goodness I didn’t burn the house down, but wow! That baking sheet shines.
However, the most miraculous transformation has been my wood floors.
My 1984 house has honey-colored oak hardwood, laid out in tiny planks. It seems inconceivable that trees could go out of style, and yet when it comes to our homes, wood is either trendy or fugly. On HGTV design gurus regularly rip out 1980s oak floor and replace it with wide-planked Brazilian cherry or reclaimed wine barrels.
But nobody’s flipping my house anytime soon. We are here to stay, and I know a trick that makes wood floors of any vintage look gorgeous. All it requires is elbow grease and $20.
The money is for a product called Pro Shot Industrial Re-Newing Floor Restorer, which you can order online. My passion for Pro Shot makes me sound like I’m affiliated with the company, but I’m not; I’m just a weird fan. It’s superior to all competitors I’ve tried. Pro Shot works like a conditioner and polish all in one. It also protects floors against future scuffs.
The elbow grease is needed for the two hours of your life you will never get back. First you have to move furniture. Next you vacuum the wood floor with a soft brush. Then, with either a wet Swifter or a rag and some diluted Murphy’s Oil Soap, clean the wood.
Get down on your hands and knees as needed so you can scrub away marks. Let the floors dry completely. Good luck keeping your family off the floor while you wait.
The last step is to wipe on the Pro Shot with a cloth. You’ll notice the difference immediately. It looks like clear nail polish, or how a basketball court glistens after a janitor works his magic. The Pro Shot takes about 30 minutes to dry. I like to apply two coats, which helps the treatment last between 3-6 months. As with any cleaning strategy, first do a spot test in an inconspicuous area.
I have no idea what chemicals are in Pro Shot, but it’s not like bathroom cleaner that hurts to breathe. Plus, loving the floor I have is much more environmentally friendly than spending $15,000 to rip it out and upgrade. I’ve had professional carpet cleaners ask me who refinished my floors and been astonished when I answered, “Me.”
No matter what the trends say, glossy is brilliant. Sometimes all it takes to achieve that wow-factor is creativity and the right product. So go ahead, sunshine, I’m ready for you.
Jennifer Bardsley is author of the books “Genesis Girl” and “Damaged Goods.” Find her online on Instagram @the_ya_gal, on Twitter @jennbardsley or on Facebook as The YA Gal.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
