How do I find out what kind of finish is on my floor?
There is a wax test which may help identify if your floor is waxed or not.

Simple Test for Wax:
If there is any possibility that there is wax on the floor, we recommend doing both of the following tests to determine its presence. Do all tests in an inconspicuous area.

Alcohol Test:
Apply a small amount (about 3” diameter) of ethyl alcohol to the floor. Allow it to sit 2 minutes, and then wipe up with a clean white rag. If the wiped area is dulled and there is a residue on the white rag, then your floor is probably waxed.

Scratch Test:
Scratch the surface with a fingernail. If your fingernail scratches the surface and buffing with a cloth erases it, you have wax. Water Drop Test: Place several drops of water on the floor. Leave them for at least one hour. If white spots develop where the water is, there is wax on the area tested.

If wax is found, floor care would involve re-waxing and buffing. To change the finish to one of the other finishes it would require a total sanding down of the floor to raw wood and applying a new finish on. This is very common and relatively easy.

Simple Test for Surface Coats

Water Drop Test:
If water beads up and can be easily wiped up leaving no marks behind, then you most likely have a surface coat.

Scratch Test:
A surface coated floor often gets scratches that cannot be buffed out with a soft cloth.

Alcohol or Mineral Spirit Test:
Wipe a small area of floor with rubbing alcohol or mineral spirits. If the test area is not dulled and the sheen remains the same, the floor has a surface coat.