Restoring Shine to a Bamboo Floor

Q: Hi Flooring expert,
We have had our bamboo kitchen floor for close to 8 years. We love the floor, but after so many years, we notice that the shine is gone. We vacuum and wash the floor with white vinegar and water. How can we restore the shine and finish to the floor?
I have read that using an aluminum oxide water based urethane might be a good thing. What do your recommend in both using this type of finish, and whether it’s something we can do ourselves? Thank you for your response.
Nancy Quon
A: My first suggestion to you would be to stop using the white vinegar and water solution to clean your floor. Although this works, it will dull the floor over time as you have been seeing. Use a wood cleaner that does not include a wax or shine to it (no Minwax or Orange Glo type products). Your best bet is the hardwood cleaners made by BonaKemi. There are other cleaners made for wood floors or bamboo specifically; however, BonaKemi’s products are the best in the industry and any one who knows even a minimal amount about flooring will tell you the same thing.
Using a proper cleaner will help some, but it is unlikely you will see a full restoration of the shine you have when it was installed. If you choose to refinish your floor, this can be a somewhat complicated process. The first thing you need to determine is if you will refinish the floor or rescreen it. The screening process is easier, as you will only rough up one layer of finish and then add a few new layers of finish. Refinishing will involve removing all of the old finish, sanding down the floor some, then applying a new finish over the top.
The most important thing will be to get a high quality finish regardless of whether your refinish or screen your floor. Ensure that all of the finish is new and is not mixed with an pre-opened or older finish. If you choose to refinish, you will need to sand the floor all the way down to the bamboo and sand off a small amount of the bamboo. You need to leave the bamboo somewhat rough (usually 200 grit sand paper or so will do) as this will ensure that the first layer of finish will ad here properly. Before applying finish, ensure the floor is cleaned of all dust. Apply your finish in a thin, even coat. Allow this coat to dry, then lightly buff the finish (very fine sanding with a higher grit sand paper, 300 or so should be fine) then apply a new thing and even coat. Repeat this process until you have applied a number of finish layers that meets your approval. This should be 2 – 3 coats at a minimum. Give the finish plenty of time to cure before moving furniture back onto the floor and allowing any heavy foot traffic to go on the floor.
If you choose to screen your floor, then this process is simpler. All you will need to do is buff the top coat of finish to rough it up, then apply new finish. Again, apply as much new finish as you want, 2 – 3 coats is usually best, and ensure you buff between each new coat. Again, allow the new finish to fully cure before placing anything over it and avoid foot traffic.