Clear the room of all furniture, rugs, and decor
Sweep and vacuum the floor thoroughly
Clean the floor with a hardwood-safe cleaner
Inspect for damage, loose boards, nails, and gaps
Repair scratches, dents, and damaged boards
Remove baseboards or protect them with painter’s tape
Sand the floor to remove the old finish
Use progressively finer grits for a smooth surface
Vacuum and tack the floor to remove all dust
Apply wood stain evenly with a brush, pad, or cloth
Wipe off excess stain according to the product directions
Let the stain dry completely
Apply a protective finish such as polyurethane
Use multiple thin coats as needed
Lightly sand between finish coats if recommended
Allow the final coat to cure fully before moving furniture back
Reinstall baseboards or remove painter’s tape
Place felt pads under furniture legs
Avoid heavy traffic until the floor is fully cured