Future Floor Wax Alternatives: Are They Any Good?

Future Floor Wax was once a household staple for cleaning and polishing hard floors. But shifting floor technology and more advanced floor finishes have led to the gradual demise of this iconic product.

Today’s consumers seek out greener, easier-to-use floor care alternatives that don’t require labor-intensive waxing. From plant-based cleaners to high-tech mops, there are many options available that provide a clean, polished floor without an acrylic wax coating.

This article explores the reasons traditional floor wax has lost popularity and provides an overview of the top alternatives on the market. We’ll identify which solutions best fit different flooring types and cleaning needs to help households move into a post-wax era.

Alternatives To Future Floor Wax

Households today have many options besides Future Floor Wax for cleaning and protecting hard floors. Here are some top alternatives:

1. Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner
2. Method All-Purpose Floor Cleaner
3. Zep Multi-Surface Cleaner and Degreaser
4. Bona Hardwood Floor Polish
5. Zep Commercial Acrylic Floor Polish
6. Trend Vinyl Floor Polish
7. Bona Traffic Floor Finish
8. Loba Supra AT Floor Finish
9. Basic Coatings Street Shoe Floor Sealer

Let’s talk about them in detail by category!

Microfiber Mops and Spray Cleaners

Microfiber mops have become popular floor care tools.

The microfiber pad attracts and traps dirt, grease, and grime that can then be washed out.

Paired with a multi-surface cleaner, microfiber mops allow floors to be quickly cleaned without needing to apply waxy finishes.

Some top products in this category include:

• Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner
• Method All-Purpose Floor Cleaner
• Zep Multi-Surface Cleaner and Degreaser

Microfiber mops provide a streak free clean for modern flooring types and are more environmentally friendly than wax.

Vinyl and Wood Floor Polishes

For those wanting to keep older floors looking shiny, vinyl and wood floor polishes are a good wax alternative. These are water-based acrylic formulas designed for specific flooring types. They provide a protective coating that can be periodically reapplied.

Popular options include:

• Bona Hardwood Floor Polish
• Zep Commercial Acrylic Floor Polish
• Trend Vinyl Floor Polish

The benefits are easy liquid application, fast drying, and a refreshed glossy look. They offer a less slippery and easier to buff finish than traditional paste wax.

Floor Finishes and Sealers

Instead of waxing, many homeowners and contractors now use floor finishes and sealers to protect and enhance hard floors. These are durable coatings applied in 2-3 layers that create a harder protective barrier.

Here are some leading products:

• Bona Traffic Floor Finish
• Loba Supra AT Floor Finish
• Basic Coatings Street Shoe Floor Sealer

Professional installation is recommended, but floor finishes can last for several years with proper maintenance. This eliminates the need for frequent waxing.

Natural Oils and Soaps

For homeowners wanting completely non-toxic floor cleaning, natural oils and soaps help nourish and protect floors.

While they don’t offer a high-gloss finish, plant-based formulas like lemon or coconut oil provide a gentle sheen without chemical residues.

Some options include:

• Aunt Fannie’s Floor Cleaner
• Bonacare Plant-Based Floor Soap
• Orange-Glo Wood Floor Soap

Oils should be tested first and are ideal for hand scrubbing smaller areas vs. entire large floors. But they provide an eco-friendly wax alternative.

There are more!

• Automated Floor Cleaning Machines

Lastly, advanced robotic vacuums and auto-scrubbers reduce the need for DIY waxing and buffing. These machines use brushes, pads, and vacuum power to mop hard floors. Models like the iRobot Braava Jet or Bissell Spinwave hit the market at under $300.

For commercial facilities, auto-scrubbers provide automated floor washing and polishing. Brands like Nilfisk and Tennant offer equipment that scrubs, cleans, and applies floor finish with minimal labor.

• Plant-Based Cleaning Oils

Plant-based oils like olive, coconut, and citrus oils can be used to gently clean and add a hint of shine to hardwood floors. Oils help moisturize the wood while lifting dirt from the surface. Simply combine 1/2 cup of oil with 10-15 drops of lemon essential oil, rub it directly on floors with a soft cloth, and buff off.

Grapeseed, avocado, and almond oils also make good wood floor cleaners. The oils should never leave a greasy residue or make floors slippery.

• DIY Floor Wax Recipes

For those who want to create their own non-toxic floor wax alternative at home, recipes using beeswax, coconut oil, and resin make great options. Simply melt together equal parts beeswax and coconut oil with a few drops of pine resin.

While application takes more effort than commercial waxes, the end result is an all-natural polish. Turpentine can help thin homemade wax mixtures and lemon oil boosts shine. DIY waxes also make great furniture polishes.

• Liquid Dancer Floor Finish

This green floor care product by CleanLiving offers a plant-based, sustainable alternative to floor wax. Made from minerals and natural soybean oil, Liquid Dancer can be used on vinyl, laminate, wood, and linoleum floors.

It provides a protective finish that makes floors naturally glossy and is safe for kids and pets once dry. Liquid Dancer is applied with a sponge mop and dries fast without buffing needed. It’s a great non-toxic wax option.

• Baking Soda Scrub

For vinyl floors, a baking soda scrub helps remove scuffs and stains better than wax. Simply sprinkle baking soda liberally on the floor and use a damp mop to clean the surface. Baking soda serves as a gentle abrasive to lift dirt while also leaving floors shiny.

For an added cleaning boost, mix in a few teaspoons of dish soap or vinegar. Rinse well and let dry. Baking soda scrubs should be used occasionally, not daily.

• Floor Wax Applicators

While less labor intensive waxes and sprays have grown in popularity, some households still prefer using traditional paste wax. To make applying floor wax easier, specially designed applicators from brands like Fuller Brush and Shack Cloths allow faster and smoother wax application.

These tools make it easier to spread wax thinly and evenly across the floor’s surface compared to string mops. An applicator can simplify waxing for those wanting to stick with paste waxes.

What Was Future Floor Wax?

Originally launched in the 1960s, Future Floor Wax was an acrylic floor polish made by Johnson Wax.

It was designed to help seal and protect floors while providing a glossy, wet look shine.

The thick liquid came in a yellow and red container meant to be applied with a sponge mop.

Future Floor Wax contained petroleum solvents that allowed it to dry quickly without streaking.

It was especially popular on vinyl floors, though it worked on wood, terrazzo, and other sealed surfaces.

For households looking for that glistening floor shine, Future Floor Wax was the go-to product for decades. Its fast-drying formula and streak-free application made it a favorite of homeowners, housekeepers, and janitors alike. The signature lemony scent also provided a clean smell after floors were mopped.

The Decline of Future Floor Wax

While many have fond memories of using Future Floor Wax, the product has dropped in popularity over the years. There are a few reasons for this:

• Improved Floor Finishes – Modern flooring materials like polyurethane, epoxies, and urethanes provide a protective barrier that doesn’t require waxing. The old-fashioned shine from Future Floor Wax isn’t as necessary.
• Environmental Factors – Future Floor Wax contains solvents like naphtha and petroleum distillates that are harmful to the environment. More consumers have been looking for green floor care options.
• Changing Home Designs – Hardwood floors were once covered with acrylic finishes that needed periodic waxing. But hardwood floor technology has shifted towards using aluminum oxide or UV-cured urethane that doesn’t require wax. Tile and vinyl also moved towards grouted and no-wax surfaces.
• Labor Intensive Process – Having to wash floors, apply wax, let it dry, and buff it out is a lot of work! Busy homeowners found the process time-consuming.

These shifting trends have meant the demise of Future Floor Wax. While it still exists in some stores, it’s no longer a must-have home care product. The brand has declined over time.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Conclusion

While Future Floor Wax is now a product of the past, its legacy lives on for those who grew up using it in their homes. And there are many great options available today to keep hard floors looking clean and renewed.

By understanding the alternatives, households can move away from traditional floor wax and embrace new solutions.