wrote in message

Is the darkness from years of finish buildup?

Most wood darken with age. Some finishes darken with age. Could be that
the wood was stained also.

Must it be sanded to
make it lighter again? Can it be "stripped" w/o sanding?

My mom has always kept the wood floors in her house
stunningly beautiful, but she rents a sander and all that. Too much
work for me.

Mom will be disappointed that she raised lazy offspring.


Is there a cheap/easy way to give them some shine and make them easier
to clean,

Two coats of polyurethane

and preferably lighten them up a bit?

White paint?