How to Clean Hardwood Floors Using Linseed Oil
Linseed oil was used to clean and finish hardwood floors for hundreds of years before the advent of modern chemical preparations. It is a penetrating product that soaks into hardwood floors, protecting them from moisture. Lavender oil repels fleas and has anti-fungal properties, which helps keeps bacteria from growing should spills occur. Carnuba wax and beeswax create a solution that is thick enough to draw the dirt out of cracks between the floorboards and when dry, protects the hardwood floor just like commercial floor waxes. This method works best on natural hardwood floors that do not have a polyurethane type finish. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Beeswax
- Carnauba wax
- Vodka
- Lavender oil
- Linseed oil
- Soft bristled scrub brush
- Soft cloths
Instructions
-
-
1
Sweep or vacuum the floor thoroughly. Make sure to get rid of all dirt and dust.
-
2
Set your oven to 225 degrees. Add about an inch of water to the bottom of a medium pot. Add 1½ cups grated beeswax and 2 cups carnauba wax to the pot. Place in the oven and bake until the wax melts. Remove it from the oven. Add ½ cup vodka, which opens the wood fibers just enough to help them to absorb the oils. Add 20 drops of lavender oil and 1 cup of linseed oil. Mix well. When cool, pour it into a glass or plastic bottle for storing.
-
-
3
Work on a small section of the floor at a time and pour a small amount of the solution onto the floor and scrub with a soft bristled scrub brush. Use a clean, soft cloth to wipe up excess cleaning solution, dirt and grime.
-
4
Let the hardwood floor dry for 2 to 4 hours before allowing foot traffic.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Linseed oil is available at hardware stores and home improvement centers.
Rags soaked with linseed oil are highly flammable. Thoroughly launder immediately after using or store under water in a covered metal container until laundering.
