Oiled Floor Refreshing Done Right

 

Oiled Floor Cleaning




An oiled floor represents a beautiful, natural, and warm choice for any space. Unlike lacquered or varnished floors, where a plastic-like film sits on top of the wood, an oiled floor is a wooden floor that was sealed with floor oil or hard floor oil. This process allows the oil to penetrate deep into the wood fibers, nourishing them and hardening within. This provides a breathable, natural-looking finish that protects the wood from the inside out. While this type of finish is incredibly resilient and allows for easy, localised repairs, it requires a different kind of care than its lacquered counterparts. The key to preserving its natural beauty and ensuring its longevity lies in a consistent regimen of Oiled Floor Cleaning and a regular refreshing schedule. The point of this article is to explain to people the importance of refreshing all oiled floors on a regular basis and to use proper oiled floor cleaning products to avoid damage and maintain the wood’s health and appearance.

What Is An Oiled Floor

An oiled floor is a type of wooden floor that is finished with a natural oil-based product rather than a synthetic lacquer or polyurethane. This distinction is critical to understanding its unique maintenance needs. The process, known as Floor Oiling, involves applying a liquid oil to the raw wood. This oil soaks into the wood's pores, saturating the fibers and hardening over time. The result is a finish that feels and looks like natural wood, with a rich, deep luster that seems to come from within.

This is fundamentally different from a lacquered finish, which creates a clear, plastic-like film on top of the wood. While a lacquered finish can be very durable, it can also be prone to scratching, and when damage occurs, the entire floor often has to be sanded and re-finished. Oiled floors, by contrast, are much more forgiving. Because the protection is within the wood, minor scratches and scuffs are less visible and can often be repaired with a spot-application of oil without the need to work on the entire floor. This natural, repairable finish is why many homeowners and businesses are now choosing oiled floors. The same principles apply to Floor Waxing, where a wax is applied as a final layer over the oil for a bit more protection and a gentle sheen.

How To Refresh Oiled Floors

The oil in an oiled floor is not a permanent seal; it gradually wears down over time due to foot traffic, cleaning, and exposure to UV light. This leaves the wood vulnerable to dirt, moisture, and stains. This is why regular Oiled Floor Refreshing is absolutely essential. The process of refreshing an oiled floor involves replenishing the oil in the wood, restoring its protection and luster. Oiled floors should be refreshed once or twice per year based on the traffic they received

The best way of refreshing an oiled floor is in conjunction with a floor buffer, a white pad and a cloth. This professional method ensures the product is worked into the wood fibers evenly and efficiently. The process begins with a thorough cleaning of the floor to remove all dirt and grime. A small amount of the refreshing product is applied to a white pad on the floor buffer. The buffer is then used to move slowly and evenly over the floor, working the product into the wood. The friction and pressure from the buffer help the oil penetrate. Finally, any excess product is wiped away with a clean cloth to prevent a sticky finish. It is true that most floors can be manually refreshed as well, but the process is too time consuming and inefficient to achieve a flawless, professional result. This highlights why professional Oiled Floor Recoating is the best solution for long-lasting, beautiful floors.

Best Products To Refresh Oiled Floors

Choosing the right product for Oiled Floor Refreshing is crucial to maintaining the natural beauty of your floor. The best products are specifically formulated to replenish the oil without creating a shiny, artificial film on top of the wood. These products are easy to apply and they last the longest, providing durable protection between professional refreshings. We recommend the following professional-grade products:

  • Chimiver Lios Talita: This product is a professional-grade refresher that provides a perfect refresh for tired floors. It restores the original color and adds a new layer of protection, making the floor look brand new.

  • Tover Rinovoil: An excellent product known for its ability to clean and refresh in one simple step. It is perfect for professional Waxed Floor Refreshing or for quick, routine maintenance.

  • Bona Waxed Oil Refresher: This product is a versatile and effective choice for both oiled and waxed floors. It is specifically designed to nourish the wood and provide a durable, refreshed finish.

Using these high-quality products is the key to a successful Oiled Floor Recoating or Waxed Floor Recoating project. They are designed to work seamlessly with the wood's natural finish, providing superior protection without compromising its organic beauty.

Best Cleaners For Oiled Floors

A proper Oiled Floor Cleaning routine is about gentle, consistent maintenance. Unlike lacquered floors that can tolerate a bit of abrasion, oiled floors must be treated with care. The golden rule is: do not use steamers or harsh chemicals. You should also never scrub individual areas or use abrasive pads to clean the surface, as this will damage the finish. The best approach is to use a pH-neutral cleaner specifically designed for oiled floors.

The best products for deep cleaning and maintaining oiled floors are:

  • Bona Cleaner and Bona Oiled Floor Cleaner: This is a fantastic system from a trusted brand. The Cleaner is a great, all-purpose solution, while the Oiled Floor Cleaner is specifically formulated to be gentle and effective.

  • Chimiver Kronos: A powerful, professional-grade cleaner that can be used for more intensive cleaning jobs.

  • Osmo Wash And Care: A very popular product known for its gentle cleaning power and ability to nourish the wood with each use.

  • Chimiver Lios Soft Aloe Vera and Chimiver Lios Soft Balm: These cleaners not only remove dirt but also contain nourishing ingredients that condition the wood, helping to maintain its health and appearance.

The most effective tool for cleaning is a semi-damp flat mop. This ensures you are not over-saturating the wood, which is crucial for maintaining its integrity.

Application System

The application system for Oiled Floor Refreshing is a methodical process that ensures a uniform and professional finish. The best system relies on a combination of a floor buffer, a white pad, and a clean cloth. The process begins with a clean, prepared floor. A small amount of the refresher product is poured onto the white pad attached to the floor buffer. The buffer is then turned on and moved slowly and evenly across the floor. The friction and weight of the buffer work the oil into the wood, ensuring an even penetration across the entire surface.

The professional application is far more efficient than a manual process. While most floors can be manually refreshed as well by applying the product with a flat mop or cloth, this method is too time consuming and inefficient, and it is difficult to achieve a perfectly even finish. A floor buffer, by contrast, provides consistent pressure and speed, which is essential for working the oil into the wood fibers correctly. After the entire floor has been buffed, a clean cloth is used to wipe away any excess oil. This is a critical step to prevent the floor from feeling sticky or attracting dirt. This systematic approach is the hallmark of a professional Floor Oiling or Floor Waxing service.

Tool Required

The right tools are essential for a safe and effective Oiled Floor Cleaning and refreshing process. For professional Oiled Floor Re-coating, a floor buffer is a primary tool. This low-speed machine is the ideal way to work the refreshing oil into the wood, providing consistent pressure and coverage. You will also need a variety of pads, most importantly a white pad for the application of the oil, as it is non-abrasive and perfect for the job.

For daily Floor Cleaning, a semi-damp flat mop is the only tool you should use. Unlike traditional mops, a flat mop allows you to control the amount of moisture, preventing you from over-saturating the wood. A semi-damp mop is a crucial part of the maintenance routine, and it should be used in conjunction with a pH-neutral cleaner specifically formulated for oiled floors. The importance of using a flat mop cannot be overstated; it is the single best way to protect your oiled floors from water damage. Avoid using sponges or anything that can hold too much moisture. Having the right tools, combined with the right products and techniques, is the key to maintaining the beauty and longevity of your oiled wood floors.

FAQ

Q: How often should I refresh my oiled floors? A: Oiled floors should be refreshed once or twice per year based on the traffic. Higher traffic areas will require more frequent refreshing to maintain their protective layer.

Q: Can I use a regular mop and cleaner? A: You should only use a semi-damp flat mop and cleaners specifically designed for oiled floors. Do not use steamers or harsh chemicals, as they will strip the oil from the wood and cause permanent damage. Do not scrub individual areas or use catering scourers to scrub the surface.

Q: What is the difference between Floor Oiling and Oiled Floor Refreshing? A: Floor Oiling is the initial process of applying the oil to a bare wood floor to seal it. Oiled Floor Refreshing is the periodic maintenance process of reapplying a small amount of oil to replenish the protective layer that has worn down over time.

Q: How do I deal with scratches? A: A key advantage of oiled floors is that minor scratches can often be spot-repaired without having to re-coat the entire floor. A small amount of oil or refresher can be applied to the scratched area and buffed in, and it will blend in with the rest of the floor. This is a major benefit over lacquered floors

Q: Why should I hire a professional for Oiled Floor Recoating? A: While daily cleaning can be done by a homeowner, a professional Oiled Floor Recoating service is highly recommended. Professionals have the specialised tools, like a floor buffer, and access to professional-grade products that are essential for applying the refresher evenly and achieving a flawless, long-lasting finish that can’t be matched by manual application.

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