Care and Maintenance for a Hardwax Oiled Floor
Your floor is finished with hardwax oil. Oil is the traditional finish for wood flooring and wood finished by this method possesses a soft, natural sheen and mellows with age. It is more forgiving of scratches and scuffing, as more oil or wax can be rubbed into the odd scratch, virtually erasing it.
Day to day maintenance should be carried out using a soft broom or a normal vacuum cleaner. It is very important to note that care must be taken to prevent any excess moisture coming into contact with the floor. Oiled floors, due to their more porous nature, should not be cleaned using excessive amounts of water! Spot cleaning with a damp cloth or light mopping is fine. A mild detergent can be used; bleach or abrasive cleaners are not suitable. We recommend Saicos “ Wash Care” for regular cleaning and a liquid wax or wax paste for periodic refreshing and re-vitalising. Specialist mops and products are available from John Lewis.
It is important to remember that timber flooring is a living material. The wood, although nolonger growing as part of a tree, is still very much a part of its environment, responding tolight, temperature, humidity, and wear. The general rule is that a proper wooden floor takes four seasons to settle into its environment. It is normal to see some movement in the boards, as some gaps do open up owing to changes in temperature and humidity, fluctuations which are brought about by heating and the naturally changing seasons of the year. Also, as the floor ages, the colour will mellow and deepen. This is no cause for alarm; it is a natural process due to oxidation of the wood and finish, and the ultraviolet light present in daylight.
Precautions
Humidity control is most important. Our timber flooring is kiln dried to a moisture content of between 8% and 11%. The optimum relative humidity of the air in a room with timber flooring should be between 45-65%. This ensures minimal shrinkage and expansion of the timber. We recommend that you buy a hygrometer combined with a programmable humidifier / vaporizer and keep a close eye on humidity levels especially during the cold, dry winter months.
Temperature control is also important. No timber likes to be over heated and baked dry. The recommended temperature in a room with wooden flooring is between 18 – 24°C.
If you have under-floor heating, the recommended optimum relative air humidity and temperature levels should be observed at all times. In addition we advise that the under-floor heating system is kept on at a constant temperature throughout the year. It is wise to avoid fluctuations in temperature from extremes of cold to hot. If the heating system temperature needs to be increased or decreased we advise this is done in stages of no more than one degree per day.
Sharp objects such as high heels, chair and table legs can dent your floor. Protect your wood by fixing felt or rubber pads under items being sat upon or dragged across the floor. Special notice should be given to high traffic areas - entrances, walkways, corridors and areas in front of sinks. The floor may need extra protection - a mat and more frequent re-oiling.
Hardwax oiled floors will need to have a coating of maintenance oil reapplied periodically. The frequency with which this is necessary will depend on the amount of wear on the floor, and on your own preferences. High traffic areas such as hallways will need more frequent applications. Generally, the floor will need re-oiling every 12-24 months.
How to re-oil your floor:
- Thoroughly clean the floor first using a wax remover to remove any surface wax.
- Apply a thin coat of the maintenance oil by hand with a soft cloth
- Leave to dry (this may take a few hours)
- Buff to the desired sheen either by hand with a soft cloth or with a buffing machine
Stubborn stains or marks can usually be removed using fine steel wool (grade 0000) in conjunction with the oil. All cleaning materials mentioned above, including buffing machines, can be obtained from us.
After a number of years you may wish to have the oiled surface sanded down and refinished. You could then choose to re-oil the floor or have it stained first or even re-finished in lacquer. We offer a sanding and refinishing service. Please call us for details.