Before you re-finish your floor or furniture, it's important to understand what kind of finish you have.

Here are some basic steps from the Murphy's wood experts to help you determine your type of wood floor finish.

Does My Floor Have a Varnish or Shellac-Finish?
If your floor was installed before the mid 1960s, assume it's a varnish or shellac finish.

You can test your floor for a varnish or shellac finish by scratching the hidden corner of your wooden flooring with a coin.

If the finish flakes up, it's most probably a varnish or shellac finish.

Is My Floor a Wax Finish?
Find an inconspicuous corner of your wood flooring and apply a few drops of water. Wait ten minutes. If white spots appear under the droplets, then your floor has a wax finish. (NOTE: remove the white spots by gently rub the spots with ultra-fine steel wool mixed with wax.)

Does My Floor Have a Surface Finish?
Most wood floors maintained after the mid-1960s have urethane surface finishes. If you suspect that you have a floor with a urethane surface finish, first test for varnish or wax finishes.

A urethane surface finish will not flake after being scratched with a coin, and white spots will not appear on its surface after exposure to droplets of water.