How to Clean an Oiled Hardwood Floor
Some older hardwood floors have oiled surfaces. To keep them in top shape, periodic cleaning and re-application of oil is necessary. It's a lot like polishing a large tabletop. Let's run through the process.
- Difficulty:
- Easy
Instructions
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- 1
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2
Use clean rags to apply oil soap or any cleaning oil designed for wood floors.
- 3
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4
Use firm, straight strokes going with the grain of the wood.
- 5
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6
Change to a new, clean rag as often as needed. An average-size room will require several rags.
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7
Let oil seep into the wood for 1 to 2 hours.
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8
Make a second, lighter pass with the oil as needed to even up any light spots.
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9
Continuing to buff the floor with clean, dry rags will heighten the shine and bring out the patina of the wood.
Tips & Warnings
Sweeping any hardwood floor on a regular basis will prolong the life of the finish by years.
Oil cleaners or polishes are best used on older, unwaxed and bare-wood floors only. Wax- or polyurethane-finished floors generally need only to be mopped with regular soap and water, or with water and vinegar. Add 1/2 cup vinegar to a gallon of water to keep your vinyl no wax floors clean and shining.
Pouring oil on the floor and wiping it with a dry rag may cause the oil to spread unevenly and may stain the floor.
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Comments
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lpatters
Sep 06, 2010
Won't applying oil just dissolve & remove the oil finish? I used oil soap on an oil-finished Morris chair and it took the finish right off, so I'm apprehensive about applying oil soap or oil. -
Jul 13, 2006
Continued use of vinegar on urethane and vinyl floors will cause eventual hazing and removal of the finish. People invariably use too much vinegar, and as an acid, it will eventually damage floors. -
Jul 13, 2006
Continued use of vinegar on urethane and vinyl floors will cause eventual hazing and removal of the finish. People invariably use too much vinegar, and as an acid, it will eventually damage floors. -
Dec 09, 2005
Our floors are 160 years old and clean up great if I wash them with shampoo or hair conditioner mixed with water, then rinse thoroughly after 20 minutes. -
Dec 09, 2005
Our floors are 160 years old and clean up great if I wash them with shampoo or hair conditioner mixed with water, then rinse thoroughly after 20 minutes.