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Needing to waterproof a wooden floor
I have houseplants and an unfinished varnished wood floor. I wish I had the best coordination, but I don't. Sometimes spills happen, or more often drips from my watering can. I tried waxing my bedroom floor, but to my dismay it didn't work like I hoped. I'm still getting water spots.
I need a cheap and easy way to waterproof those areas of the floor. It also can't have obnoxious or hazardous fumes.
I need a cheap and easy way to waterproof those areas of the floor. It also can't have obnoxious or hazardous fumes.
Check out care2.com and use their search engine using the key words "natural cleaning recipes" or "floor cleaners". Annie Bond has some good information about the proper care of various types of floors using natural or close to natural recipes. She, too, has chemical sensitivities. I do, too, but I don't have natural wood floors, so the information I'm talking about didn't stick with me very well. If you can't find the answer, try posting a question with Ask Annie. She may or may not get back to you. Or, if she doesn't get back to you personally, she may write an article based on your question. If she doesn't answer you, her kid might. If I remember right, her daughter's name is Lily. They have both written several of these natural cleaning articles. Others have, too, but I like theirs the best, because they explain the science behind why things work.
I tried the floor wax, except it sure wasn't lavender scented. I think it was called Johnson paste wax. Seems to make the floor slightly shinier and maybe a little slippery, but when water drops on the floor it still leaves a spot. Even if I try to rub over the spot, it still remains as a slightly darker or slightly lighter spot on the floor, with a little less shine.
Maybe no one else would notice it but to my sensitive eyes I can find the spot immediately even after try to rub it out.
Maybe no one else would notice it but to my sensitive eyes I can find the spot immediately even after try to rub it out.
I suppose as an experiment you could try floor wax? Like that thick (usually lavender scented) heavy duty furniture wax you buy in big cans, and rub in with a cloth. If you put 2 or 3 coats on it might help....?
If you like 'real wood' and I agree it is nice, the only way to do it properly(you can do it in bits ) is to sand it back, stain if it needs it and varnish , and you will have to move the things you have from that area, but maybe the idea of a large mat would work ,there are some nice ones out there and vinl is waterproof..Good luck
I like the natural look and feel of real wood. Covering it up with something else may not be an option, however I would like to see what kind of mat I can put under my computer chair to stop it from chewing up the floor underneath.
Humm Maybe a better idea to get some vinyl flooring to cover it, we are not certain about a resin epecially if you have some of it varnished.What about those tiles you can buy that are a heavy plastic vinyl.,you could put down as many as you wanted to.I dont think they are hugely expensive ,not easy is it but check that out as it may work I think they do a wood looking 'color'
It's a pretty large room... Minus two attics, I'd be doing this for the whole upstairs (I'm including the hallway leading into a bathroom and my bedroom). Not to mention I have a LOT of clutter, two plant shelves, two tables (around one is my computer, sub woofer, cords and equipment), and then two beds, one I sleep on and a guest bed. All this stuff plus a bookshelf, some end tables and boxes I'd have to contend with. It would not be feasible for me to get everything out to clear the floor so I can sand and refinish. Really I want to keep the same finish I have and just put something over it. If I can't do the whole room, then at least get the hallway and the areas my plants are.
Ideally some sort of resin??? My parent's house has something waterproof all I know. (it was something done by the previous owners.) I could wash the floor with a wet mop or washcloth, even splash some water on it and not have anything left on the floor when it dried. It seemed to be a plastic coating.
Ideally some sort of resin??? My parent's house has something waterproof all I know. (it was something done by the previous owners.) I could wash the floor with a wet mop or washcloth, even splash some water on it and not have anything left on the floor when it dried. It seemed to be a plastic coating.
If you can do it your self we can lead you through the process,I dont know how large the room is, think about it, you amy need some help,floor has ro be sanded to get is good smooth finish ,color has to right as per stain, then the varnish,its toxic so staying away 2 days would be good ..also someone to do it is better ......
Darn. I was afraid of that. Sounds a bit more involved than I am able to do at the time. Maybe it would work for spring if I still live in the same house and not in an apartment.
My DH says the only way is to have it varnished,and then that will water proof it, so get someone in open all the windows and doors from the fumes and arrange to sleep overnight somewhere else then the fumes/smell/toxcity will have gone , If you need to know what kind of varnish I can ask him, but it needs sanding down first .
I need to be able to sleep in the room and I have the windows sealed off for winter. Bummer...
It was stained what looks like a "golden oak" with maybe a combination of darker stains. It has a shiny surface but it isn't waterproof. As soon as water gets on the floor it causes a spot. I thought the wax would work. That was suggested at Menards, but seems the water spots still happen.
It was stained what looks like a "golden oak" with maybe a combination of darker stains. It has a shiny surface but it isn't waterproof. As soon as water gets on the floor it causes a spot. I thought the wax would work. That was suggested at Menards, but seems the water spots still happen.
The only thing I've found to really do the trick is varnish. Yes it stinks, and I hate it when I'm painting it on. I NEVER do it unless doors/windows/everything else is open, and there's tons of fresh air circulating. Then, while the floor dries, I close the door of the room, for about 2 days, and don't go in the room. There are breathing masks available which will help to protect to some extent against fumes while painting, but I don't bother with one.
The smell lingers a bit after that, but fades away after a little while, especially if a window is opened frequently, or kept open in that room, if possible.
The smell lingers a bit after that, but fades away after a little while, especially if a window is opened frequently, or kept open in that room, if possible.
My DH who knows everything ...lol says has it been varnished , you said unfinished?
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