How to Refinish Linoleum

Remove any baseboards in the room using a pry bar. Number the back of each piece with a pencil to insure that they can easily be reinstalled once the project is complete. Remove any doors that obstruct the floor by removing them from the hinges using a screwdriver.

Strip the wax from the linoleum floor using a wax removal solvent or cleaner. Alternatively, you can use a mixture of one part ammonia to two parts water and a scrub brush to remove any wax buildup on the floor.

Look for any dents or deep scratches in the linoleum. Use a high quality wood putty matched to the color of the linoleum to fill any imperfections.

Sand the linoleum using 120-grit sandpaper. Remove any small scratches and smooth any patched areas by sanding. Use a floor sander if you are refinishing a large area.

Sweep dust from the floor using a broom. Use a dry cloth to remove any remaining dust particles before continuing. Open all windows in the room to ensure that the area is well ventilated.

Apply a coat of high-gloss urethane varnish using a lamb's wool mop or wide paintbrush. Take care to avoid brush marks if a paintbrush is used. Allow the linoleum to dry for at least 12 hours before proceeding.

Sand the entire floor lightly using a pole sander fitted with 120-grit sandpaper after the first coat of urethane has dried. Remove any bubbles or imperfections in the finish using sandpaper. Clean the floor with a dry cloth.

Apply a second coat of high-gloss urethane varnish using the lamb's wool mop or a paintbrush. Allow the linoleum to dry for at least 24 hours before continuing.

Replace the baseboards using finishing nails and a small hammer. Reattach any doors that were removed with a screwdriver.