How Often Should I Oil a Wood Floor?
An oiled finish on interior wood flooring has become an increasingly popular choice. This is certainly in part due to the pleasing natural appearance of the finished wood.
Wood is a very versatile and durable flooring material, and when properly maintained, it looks beautiful and adds a touch of sophistication to any room. One common issue in maintaining an oiled wood floor is how often it should be re-oiled to preserve its appearance and protect the wood.
The answer, to a degree, will depend on the level of use (traffic) the floor endures on a daily basis. An oiled wood floor in a commercial environment, such as a restaurant, will certainly require much more daily attention than an occasionally used dining room floor in a residential home.
The more frequently the floor requires cleaning will ultimately determine the regularity of the re-oiling or oil refreshing process. It is important to pay attention to the floor’s performance in relation to both appearance and protection.
Appearance is generally judged on cleanliness and how the floor looks. If the floor is clean and protected, it should be pleasing to the eye and have a sense of body or richness.
Protection is the level of oil that keeps the wood safe from damage caused by general wear, water penetration during cleaning, or the spillage of other contaminants such as food and wine. The purpose of an oiled wood floor is to maintain the wood as close as possible to its natural state.
When oiling a floor, the oil should be allowed to absorb into the wood's surface without leaving excess on the surface. Surface oil should be removed before it dries and kept to a minimum. The correct level of protection will be absorbed by the wood, so there is no need to build up layer upon layer, as you might when waxing a piece of furniture.
If you notice the floor beginning to show signs of wear, you can apply a liquid wax refresher. If the floor appears dry, patchy, and bare, re-oiling will be required.
When cleaning your oiled wood floor, follow this guide.
Domestic Cleaning and Maintenance
For normal cleaning purposes, a vacuum, broom or mop will be sufficient. If the floor is soiled with surface dirt, it can be wiped or mopped clean with a damp mop or cloth. Make sure the mop/cloth is only damp, not wet, to avoid penetrating the joints. A small amount of cleaner can be added to the water to assist in soil removal. There are good oil cleaning products like Osmo Wash and Care that are available through many outlets or from a web shop. The floor should then be dried off with a clean cloth. To avoid removing the surface protection, you can occasionally apply a thin layer of Osmo liquid wax cleaner. This should dry fairly quickly, and the floor can then be buffed using a dry cloth or flat mop. If the floor becomes heavily soiled, it is usually possible to deep-clean it with a rotary machine and then refinish with one coat of oil.
Commercial Cleaning and Maintenance
Commercial floors can be wiped or mopped clean daily or as frequently as required using a damp mop. Make sure the mop is only damp, not wet, to avoid penetrating the joints. A small amount of Osmo Wash and Care cleaner can be added to the water to assist the soil removal. The floor should then be dried off with a clean cloth. Depending on the traffic level and cleaning frequency, to avoid removing the surface protection, you can apply a thin layer of Osmo liquid wax cleaner. This should be applied around four times per year or more if required. This can be distributed by a rotary machine fitted with a beige pad. Leave the liquid wax cleaner to dry, then buff it with a white pad. Deep cleaning and re-oiling should be performed periodically, depending on the traffic level.