How to maintain oiled and oil-waxed floors?
Oiled floors have their supporters and opponents. Certainly, this form of wood conservation is one of the oldest. It allows to preserve the natural beauty of the wood, impregnating it and protecting it from moisture, wear, and mechanical damage. Oiled floors retain their properties for a long time and age beautifully. Minor damages can be repaired spot by spot.
In addition to choosing the right chemical products, temperature and humidity are also important. What are the advantages of oiled floors? How to maintain oiled floors? What chemical products to use? You will find out everything from this article.
First of all, a natural look and traditional impregnation. Oil or oil-wax brings out the natural beauty of the wood, emphasizing the grain. Over time, the wood ages and darkens, acquiring a noble look. The surface of the floor does not shine like a lacquered one and is not slippery. It has a more satin gloss. It does not generate static electricity and does not collect dust like a lacquered floor. An oiled floor is very pleasant to the touch. Another important advantage of such impregnation is its resistance to moisture. It can be used in kitchens, bathrooms, or on terraces. Also, all garden furniture can be impregnated using an oiling method. It is more resistant to wear, so it is used in offices and other places with heavier foot traffic. Oiled wood is resistant to mold and fungi because such a floor "breathes". Pores are not blocked as in the case of a lacquered floor. And finally, it is easier to repair damages if they occur. Only specific scratches or damages can be repaired. There is no need to repair the entire surface.
Another very important advantage is the color scheme. By using and mixing natural and synthetic colorants, we can achieve a wide range of colors. From natural shades of brown, yellow, beige to even the most extravagant colors like yellow, navy, red. Moreover, the color of the floor can be changed over time if we get bored with the old one or want to change the arrangement. All we need to do is sand the floor and apply a new layer of oil in a different color. Oak floors are best suited for such procedures.
You can buy ready-oiled floors or impregnate them yourself using appropriate products such as Osmo oil waxes.
Wooden floors change their properties over time and under the influence of the environment. It is assumed that the most suitable temperature range is between 18-22 degrees Celsius, and humidity should be between 40-60 percent. In such conditions, cracks are unlikely to develop over time. Of course, we are talking here about oiled floors placed inside a house. Oiled wood used on terraces will be exposed to lower temperatures and higher humidity, as well as direct sunlight, which accelerates wood aging and causes it to gray. However, this can be addressed by using appropriate chemical products, for example, Osmo UV 410 protective oil. We will dedicate a separate article to wood maintenance used outdoors. We will focus further on wooden floors indoors.
Above all, it is important to use the right products and tools to avoid damaging the protective layer. Specialized cleaning and care products from the Osmo line are perfect for this.
Any dirt or sand from the oiled floor should be removed with a soft cloth. Then, wipe it with a damp mop or cloth. The floor should dry within 2 minutes. Only use cold water mixed with a special cleaning agent, such as Wish-Fix. This product will remove even tough stains like cola, milk, beer, coffee, and leave a protective layer.
Impregnation with oil or oil wax should be done annually. In the first year of use, even twice. If you lay a floor made of wood that has already been oiled, you must impregnate it after laying it. Regular oiling increases resistance to scratches. Cracks where moisture and dust might accumulate do not form. It is natural that the oil-wax layer wears off over time, and not evenly. In places with more foot traffic, the layer wears out faster. Darker spots may appear there. Regular maintenance effectively prevents this.
It is normal in everyday use for scratches, cracks, chips to appear. Such minor damages can be patched and then oiled. If a spot is severely damaged, you can gently sand it, remove the dust, and oil it. Over time, these spots will darken, and the color will blend in. There will be no trace, and the difference will be invisible.
Oiled floors are for many years. Properly maintained, cared for, and preserved, they will look wonderful and delight users.
