How to maintain your oiled wood floor

Purchased solid or engineered wood flooring? Over time, your floor may look a little worn and torn. But not to worry! We’re here to help you bring your floor back to life, with a simple guide that will make your floor look brand new.

One of the most common questions people ask is how often they should oil their floor. There is no time limit on how often you should it all comes down to personal preference. Some like old looking floors and some prefer floors that look brand-spanking new. However, it is recommended you oil your floor at least every 2-3 years although, some may need treating more frequently. It all comes down to the type of household you live in too. If you live in a busy family household, it’s more likely that your floor will get more worn than someone who lives by themselves. And the more you clean your floor, the quicker the oil will fade. But it’s recommended by manufacturers and fitters that you oil your floor as soon as you fit it. Let’s take a look step by step at oiling and maintaining your oiled floor.

Preparation

There are a few steps you need to take into consideration when you’re about to oil your floor. Firstly, you should sand the top layer to make sure everything is nice and smooth. The last thing you want is a patchy looking floor! It also allows the new oil layer to seep through the wood which will make your floor look newer for longer. If you’re re-coating your floor, sanding down won’t be necessary. You should use 120 grit sanding paper although, we recommend hiring a professional sander if you’re doing it the first time. After you’ve sanded your floor, it’s always useful to mop to get any residue that’s left behind. Leave your floor to dry naturally and any excess dust can be vacuumed or swept.

Oiling

Once you’ve prepared your newly sanded floor, it’s time to oil it. You need to make sure that you’ve mixed the oil properly as you don’t want any pigment lumps that will come up to the surface. Leave the oil to settle for a couple of minutes to make sure all the bubbles have disappeared. Now, it’s time to spread the oil! Use a microfibre roller or natural bristle brush and start spreading the oil evenly. We recommend you should oil the corners first and make your way towards the exit. Use a feathering technique to ensure there are no brush marks left behind. However, if you’d like a smoother surface, use a buffer. When everything has been completed, wipe away any excess soil using a soft cloth. Dry your floor for at least 12 hours before repeating the same process. Two coats should do the trick.

We hope this guide has helped you!