How can I restore my parquet floor?
How can I restore my parquet floor?

We've just moved into a house with original waxed parquet flooring. I don't want to have to sand it down, but it's in need of a face-lift. Can you tell me the best way to do this?
While sanding and re-finishing is the best way to a 'like new' floor, it is messy and time consuming. Alternatively, remove as much of the original wax covering as you can then re-wax. Clean the floor with a wax floor cleaner (£17.63 per ltr, Auro, then re-wax. Try Polyx Hardwax oil (£59 for 2.5ltr, www.greenbuildingstore.co.uk). It may, however, need re-doing annually. Or try a floor vanish, such as Ronseal Diamond Hard Varnish (from £16.99, DIY stores). It will change the natural look of the wood, but it'll be years before it needs any maintenance.
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Thea Babington-Stitt is the Managing Editor for Ideal Home. Thea has been working across some of the UK’s leading interiors titles since 2016.
She started working on these magazines and websites after graduating from City University London with a Masters in Magazine Journalism. Before moving to Ideal Home, Thea was News and Features Editor at Homes & Gardens, LivingEtc and Country Homes & Interiors. In addition to her role at Ideal Home, Thea is studying for a diploma in interior design with The Interior Design Institute.
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