Yeah, it’s gotten wild trying to keep track of all those labels. I’ve started just sanding and refinishing whatever old hardwood I find under carpet. Not only does it save cash, but you get way more character than anything “eco” off the shelf. Sometimes less is more, y’know?
I totally get what you mean about the character in old floors. There’s just something about those nicks and scratches that tells a story you can’t fake. But do you ever run into issues with old finishes—like, not knowing if there’s lead or some weird varnish under there? I’ve had a couple surprises. Curious how you handle that, or if you just roll with it and sand everything down?
TOO MANY LABELS, TOO MUCH GUESSWORK
Man, the old finishes thing is a real headache. I actually had a run-in with this when I bought my first place—1920s bungalow, floors looked amazing under all the grime, but who knows what was on them? I got paranoid about lead after reading some horror stories online. Ended up grabbing one of those cheap lead test kits from the hardware store. Not super scientific, but better than nothing. Turns out, there wasn’t any lead in my case, but the varnish was this sticky, amber stuff that gummed up my sander like crazy.
Honestly, I don’t always trust the eco labels either. There’s just so many now—“low VOC,” “eco-friendly,” “natural,” whatever. Half the time it feels like marketing more than substance. I try to stick with brands I’ve used before or that other DIY folks recommend, but even then it’s a bit of a gamble.
If I’m not sure what’s on the floor, I’ll usually do a test patch in a closet or somewhere hidden. Sometimes you get lucky and it just sands off, but other times it’s like stripping tar. I’ve had to use chemical strippers once or twice (with all the windows open and a mask on), but mostly I just grit my teeth and go slow with the sander.
I guess the main thing is just not to assume anything about old finishes. There’s always a surprise lurking somewhere—either in the wood or in whatever someone slapped on top fifty years ago. Makes you appreciate the character, but man, it can be a pain.
CAN'T KEEP UP WITH THE LABELS EITHER
Totally get where you're coming from. I redid my kitchen cabinets last year and spent way too long in the paint aisle, just staring at all those “green” labels. Ended up texting a friend who’s a painter—he just laughed and said half of it’s marketing fluff anyway. I went with what actually worked for me before, even if it didn’t have the fanciest eco badge. Sometimes you just have to trust your gut and hope for the best... especially with old houses where nothing is ever straightforward.
TOO MANY LABELS, NOT ENOUGH CLARITY
I hear you on the old house headaches—mine laughs at the idea of “standard” anything. The eco-label jungle is wild. I’ve spent way too much time squinting at tiny icons, trying to figure out if “eco-advanced” is better than “green plus” or whatever. Sometimes I wonder if they just slap a leaf on the can and call it a day. I try to stick with low-VOC stuff and brands I’ve had good luck with, but honestly, half the time it feels like a guessing game. Maybe we need a decoder ring for this stuff...
