Alright so last Tuesday I noticed my pad volleyball court’s wooden flooring looked… rough. Like someone dragged concrete blocks over it after a game night. Dusty, scratched up, just sad. Figured it was time for some deep cleaning. Grabbed my phone, snapped pics for the ‘before’ scene – terrible lighting but you get the gist.

Step 1: Sweeping Like a Madman

First things first: that dust had to go. Pulled out my wide soft-bristle broom – the one barely used since last year. Started sweeping lengthwise along the wood joints, pressing way harder than normal. Dust bunnies the size of actual bunnies rolled out from the corners near the baseboard. Used the broom handle to nudge out the stubborn chunks wedged in the gaps. Felt like an archeologist uncovering ruins under my own floor. Took me twenty sweaty minutes just for this step. Emptied the dustpan three times. Three.

Step 2: The Mopping Mix-Up

Mixed my cleaner: warm water with a tiny splash of white vinegar – smells like pickles but hey, cheap and natural. Dipped the microfiber mop head, then wrung it out way more than usual. Wood hates water puddles, right? Mopped slowly, section by section. Saw this one suspicious dark spot near the service line… scrubbed it extra hard. Turns out it was just an old coffee stain laughing at me. Finished the whole court. Back hurt. Knew why my mop bucket felt lighter – spilled half the vinegar mix near the net post. Classic.

Step 3: Scratch Patrol

Got down on my knees with a flashlight. Seriously, flashlight-in-the-daylight level of dedication. Scanned every plank inch by inch. Found three minor surface scratches near the center line. Dug out my hardwood repair marker (bought it ages ago for a dining table disaster). Tested the color on a scrap plank hidden under the couch – close enough. Dabbed it gently on the scratches. Watched it dry. Still noticeable if you stare, but blended way better. Felt like a wood-floor plastic surgeon. Not perfect, but way less eye-sore.

Step 4: The Waiting Game (and Final Polish)

Let everything dry completely overnight. Next morning, the floor felt… decent. But dry. Needed some shine back. Used this basic wood restorer spray I found in the garage. Sprayed a tiny bit on a dry microfiber cloth. Buffed one small area first – watched the grain pop up nicely. Did the whole court in small sections, working backwards like a weirdo to avoid stepping on freshly buffed spots. My arms burned halfway through. Saw the morning light hit the finished floor near the window… actually looked kinda professional. Took an ‘after’ pic. Side-by-side? Night and day. Still found one missed speck of dust near the corner in the photo. Oh well.

Was it Worth It?

Honestly? Sweating bullets and smelling like vinegar for two evenings straight wasn’t exactly a party. My knees complained. My back complained louder. But walking barefoot on that smooth, clean wood yesterday? Felt dang good. The deep scratches are still there if you squint, but overall, the court doesn’t look abused anymore. Just… lived-in. Maintenance isn’t glamorous, folks. It’s just you, a broom, and maybe some spilled vinegar. But gotta keep the battlefield presentable.