How to Sand Floors With a Hand Held Sander

Hammer down any nails that are sticking up from the floor. If nails or screws are protruding from the floor, they may damage the sander. Ensure that all nails or screws are sunk below the surface of the floor, or removed.

Protect yourself from flying particles and dust inhalation with the respirator mask and safety goggles or glasses. Sanding produces a large amount of dust and debris.

Attach a rough grit sandpaper sheet to the sander, following manufacturer's directions. Sand the entire surface of the floor evenly, going at a diagonal across the floor.

Vacuum dust that has resulted from the first pass of sanding.

Switch the sandpaper to a medium grit. Sand the entire room, in a straight direction across the planks of the wooden floor. Sand until the surface of the wood is free of scratches from the rough sanding, and the surface is smooth and even.

Remove dust and debris using the vacuum.

Place the fine grit of sandpaper onto the sander. Sand the entire area along the planks, with the grain of the wood. Sand the floor until it is smooth and even and free of blemishes.

Vacuum the floor to remove any remaining dust or debris.