Looking After Your Oak Floor

You’ve laid your new oak floor and you can’t stop looking at it and, when no-one’s looking, running your hands over it (don’t deny it…). Of course, you want it to stay just as shiny and new as it does now, fresh from Discount Flooring Depot, so here’s how you can do just that.

Choose a hard-wearing finish

This is the first step. You may have chosen pre-finished oak, or you may want to apply your own; either way, the finish needs to be durable and tough, as well as looking good.

The look of the finish depends on what you want. You may prefer oiled finishes, which look natural and are easy to keep up with. You may want a varnish instead, it’s up to you, but always ask your supplier for advice and recommendations.

Cleaning regularly is vital

You should sweep or brush daily if you can. Most wooden floors end up ruined because small particles of dust, dirt and grit lie on the surface and get ground into the wood when someone walks on them. Vacuuming or brushing regularly reduces this risk.

Once the brushing has removed hard particles, it’s time to wipe the floor over. Lots of wood finishes have their corresponding detergents, so again, ask your supplier or do your own research. The soaps are formulated to bring out the natural beauty of the floor while, well, cleaning it. By using matching products, the finish is, over time, strengthened, which can only help to preserve your floor.

How to use the soaps

Make sure all the dirt and grit is gone before washing the floor. Shake the detergent bottle and add it to a bucket of water according to manufacturer instructions. You can use a cloth or a mop, but make sure that whatever you use is wrung out well and is clean – you don’t want rogue grit particles in there, do you? Keep the cloth clean and if you need to, dry up after yourself as you go along.

Occasional maintenance

After a few years, some areas of your floor will start to show wear and tear. This is when you can use a maintenance oil to freshen it up a bit. These oils penetrate into the wood, smoothing out small scratches and offering another layer of protection to the wood. Match the oil to your finish and detergent for the best results.

Applying your oils

As with washing the floor, you should make sure it’s free of scratchy particles before you oil it. It should also be dry.

Most maintenance oils need to be shaken before used and you need to be well-ventilated and work in temperatures over 12C. You may need to apply the oil with a brush or a cotton cloth – see your instructions first.

Spread the oil over a small area, working with the grain, to achieve a fine coat. Don’t apply a thick coat, use just enough to form a very light layer. Give each area time to dry before polishing it. You can polish the floor with either a machine or by hand, depending on the size of the area.