» ADVICE » Oiled floor long term maintenance

Oiled floors are a popular choice among homeowners and business owners for their natural beauty and durability. But like all flooring, they require proper maintenance to keep their good looks and longevity. In this article, we’ll explore the best practices for Oiled floor long term maintenance, from daily cleaning to periodic refinishing.


Oiled floor long term maintenance

Benefits of Oiled Flooring:

Oiled flooring is not only aesthetically pleasing but also provides many benefits. These benefits include:

  • – Durability
  • – Warmth
  • – Comfort
  • – Increased resale value
  • – Hypoallergenic
  • – Easy to clean

 

Understanding the Maintenance Process:

To keep your oiled floor looking beautiful, it is important to understand the maintenance process. Oiled flooring needs to be recoated every 2-3 years to keep the finish looking fresh and new. This maintenance process involves sanding the floor to remove any scratches, dents, or marks and applying a new coat of oil.

Oiled floor long term maintenance

Periodic Maintenance for Oiled Floors

While daily cleaning is important, it’s also necessary to perform periodic maintenance to keep your oiled floors in top condition. Here are a few steps you should follow:

  • – Re-oil the surface every 3-6 months to maintain the natural look and feel
  • – Apply a topcoat every 2-3 years to provide additional protection and enhance the color
  • – Refinish the floor every 5-7 years to remove scratches and restore the original color

By performing periodic maintenance, you can ensure that your oiled floors continue to look beautiful for years to come.

 

Choosing the Right Products for Oiled Floor Maintenance

One of the most important factors in maintaining oiled floors is choosing the right products. It’s essential to use products specifically designed for oiled floors, as regular floor cleaners and waxes can damage the surface.

When selecting products for oiled floor maintenance, look for those that are pH-neutral and free of harsh chemicals. You should also look for products that are easy to apply and have a quick drying time.

Some popular brands for oiled floor maintenance include Bona, WOCA, and Osmo. It’s important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using these products to ensure optimal results.

Oiled floor long term maintenance

Avoiding Common Mistakes in Oiled Floor Maintenance

While oiled floors are relatively low-maintenance, there are still a few common mistakes that can cause damage. Here are a few things to avoid:

  • – Using excessive water when cleaning
  • – Using products not specifically designed for oiled floors
  • – Walking on the surface with high heels or heavy furniture
  • – Using a beater bar on a vacuum cleaner, as it can scratch the surface

By avoiding these common mistakes, you can help keep your oiled floors looking beautiful for years to come.

 

Adding a Coat of Oil for Long-term Maintenance of Oiled Floors

How do I Maintain an Oiled Floor Over the Long Term? Partially Restore the Oil on the Floor

When you have an oiled floor, you need to keep it in good condition. In the medium to long term, when your oiled wood floor begins to show signs of wear, it is necessary to maintain and restore it by adding a layer of oil. However, long-term maintenance of an oiled floor is advantageous since the application of oil requires less sanding than a floor that has been varnished. Moreover, you can read the instructions below and try applying one or two coats of oil to your floor yourself.

To ensure you get a quality job, you can call on L’Artisan du Plancher Montreal, a reference in floor restoration. We have a thorough knowledge of natural oils for wood, and we travel all over the Greater Montreal area. You can contact us for a free estimate without any obligation.

Consult the steps below to know how to apply the oil. After putting on the oil, keep in mind that it is important to vacuum regularly to remove abrasive dirt. For regular cleaning, use oil-based floor care products. Moreover, be careful not to use too many liquids – such as water – on the oiled finish, as this can damage it and require refinishing.

 

How do You Apply Oil for Long-term Maintenance of Oiled Floors?

Instructions for Applying a Coat of Oil on a Faded Floor

  • 1- For a stained floor: first, make sure there are no areas where the color has faded. However, if you see any strips without protection, simply sand them lightly with the proper grade of sandpaper. Next, apply a colored oil to the areas you wish to repair.
  • 2- Let the oil dry for 24 hours at a temperature of 20 degrees Celsius and a relative humidity of 50%. In order to obtain a good result, always use products that are compatible with each other. Use the same natural oils that you previously used on your wood. If you need to buy more, look for the same natural oil supplier.
  • 3- If you do not have a stained floor, then do not go for steps 1 and 2. You can go directly to step 4.
  • 4- Use 150-grade sandpaper to sand your floor. Sand lightly the less trafficked areas and more firmly those that are more trafficked. Note that the purpose of this operation is not to remove the oil from your floor completely but to remove it to make the surface more adherent.
  • 5- Next, clean the areas you wish to restore with an oil floor cleaner. Never use degreasers on an oiled finish. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
  • 6- You are now ready to install your oil finish on the surfaces you would like to treat. But first, you must make sure that there is no light or intense heat. As it can hinder the installation of natural oil. If not, cover the windows that are bothering you and air condition your house to reach the right conditions.
  • 7- If you don’t use a polisher with steel wool to apply your floor coating, you can use an applicator or a cloth. To avoid the oil from drying too quickly, we recommend that you only treat small areas at a time.
  • 8- Always spread your oil in the direction of the wood strips and never leave any excess on your wood. We recommend that you apply two very thin coats of oil rather than one thick coat.
  • 9- Let dry for 24 hours. To know how to maintain an oiled floor on a daily basis, follow our guide for long-term maintenance of oiled floors.
  • 10- Now, it’s time to put away the equipment used to apply the oil. But first, soak it in a bucket of water for 24 hours to avoid the risk of spontaneous combustion.

Additional Tips

Over time, watch for signs of wear on the surface of treated wood. It is important to ensure that the protective coating is present in the right quantity to protect the hardwood (or softwood). The frequency of oiling will depend on the use of your floor. Hence, a high traffic floor will require oiling more often (approximately every two to three years). While on the other hand, a low traffic floor will require less maintenance (approximately every five to seven years).

Therefore, to protect your floors, it is advisable to take certain precautions such as removing shoes, wearing slippers, cutting the nails of pets and wiping their paws before entering, installing felt under furniture, etc.

That’s it! Nothing could be easier than maintaining an oiled floor. It’s up to you!

Oiled floor long term maintenance

Conclusion

Maintaining oiled floors is an important task that requires a bit of effort and attention to detail. By following our tips for cleaning up spills and stains quickly, protecting your floors from foot traffic, and performing regular maintenance, you can keep your oiled floors looking great for years to come. With the right approach, you can ensure that your oiled floors continue to be a beautiful and functional part of your home or business.

 

*To the best of our knowledge, the information contained in this document is accurate. As conditions and maintenance methods may vary, no guarantee is given on the recommendations or on the final result. It is the responsibility of the owner/user to verify the suitability of the methods and to ensure the proper preservation of the maintained areas.