We have just purchased a home with hardwood floors throughout. We've painted the entire house and are now ready to "do" the floors before moving any furniture in. The floors are in good shape. No gouges or big scratches. The local Home Depot said to just wash with Murphy's Oil Soap and, when dry, go over with a Swiffer wrapped in a Pledge wipe. I am skeptical. Shouldn't we apply some kind of heavy duty wax or polish for protection and maximum shine? Thank you. dcamp

It depends on what the existing finish is. If it is varathane, no finish is needed. If it is varnish, you may find a simple wax looks pleasing and gives some protection. If it is shellac, which is unlikely unless it is a very old home, it should be stripped and refinshed. Shellac is soft and stains if water is left on it for more than an instant.

Nothing will protect hardwood from dings because wood (even hardwood) is soft. But varathane will protect it from minor scratches. Varnish is softer and more brittle, so it needs a little help from a good 'hard' wax finish. (Varnish is just paint minus the opaque pigment, but with semi-opaque color added in a range of yellows, reds and browns.)

You can test for shellac in an inconspicuous place. Rub a small spot with a little alchol. This dissolves shellac but not varnish or varathane.

There's no solvent test to tell if it's varathane or varnish, but varnish tends to crack or chip. That's why a hard paste wax is good protection. If you notice little chips and cracks here and there, it's probably varnish.

The pledge wipe will not offer protection, but is cosmetic only. If you like the look of the floors as they are, don't bother with a pleadge wipe.

Good advice above. I have old hardwood floors. Waxing is a must, but you don't have to do it all the time. You can use furniture polish (I prefer Endust)with a dust mop for general clean up. It's fast and looks good. I wouldn't go for the shiny look on your floor with varnishes. It will wear off in paths. Hardwood floors aren't really supposed to be perfect. It gives them character!