In this age of skincare consciousness, have you ever wondered that your wood flooring needs similar care? Over the years with constant foot traffic and eventual damages your wood flooring loses its lustre and longevity causing chips, scruffs, scratches and stains. Like the skin, the floor too needs nourishment ever so often. Floor oiling is one of the best ways to not only beautify your floor but also for its protection.

In other words, wood flooring oil can literally make your floor breathe. It brings out the natural tones and texture of hardwood and gives your room a sun-kissed appearance.

Sounds like a too good to be true magic potion, right? The good news for you is that you can apply the oil over your hardwood flooring without any external help. One person is enough to do the job. However, as any good job is done, even here we need to do some preparation before getting to the hardwood oiling.   

Prepare the Room  

1. Empty the room! To avoid any distraction or harm, steadily and without dragging, shift all the furniture, the appliances and the toddlers to a different room.  
2. If there are any cracks and holes to be filled, this is the right time for those repairs.  
3. Sanding! If your wood flooring is unfinished or has been oiled in the past, you do not need to sand the hardwood but can simply move it to the oiling process. However, if it has been treated to any different finish before, such as varnish, then yes, it needs to be sanded. This process not only gives you bare wood but more importantly, evens the wooden surface which results in efficient oiling.  
4. Clean the wood flooring thoroughly, remove all the dust and dirt. For this step, a vacuum is advised for better cleaning. You can also use wood flooring cleaners with a microfibre cloth. Do not forget to mind the small gaps.  
5. Ensure well ventilation in the room and you're ready to start.  

Wood Floor Oiling  

1. Thoroughly stir the oil container. Make sure there are no lumps in the oil, mix it well.  
2. It can be helpful to mentally divide the room into blocks or sections, from the corner all the way to the exit.  
3. Properly read and understand the instructions mentioned by the manufacturer at the back of the container. No one knows the oil type better than the manufacturer therefore it is always advised to follow their instructions for best results.
4. You can use a microfibre roller or a stiff brush and start applying the hardwood oil evenly on the floor. Start with the corners, one block at a time as you make your way through the room, oiling the entire floor. You won't want any puddle resting on the surface therefore, use a soft cloth to wipe off any oil excess as you go. 
5. Once done, leave to dry for the required amount of time and go for another layer if necessary (both as per the instructions mentioned by the manufacturer).  
6. Smile at your warm, sun-kissed floor! Good job!

Safety Comes First!   

Post oiling, the paraphernalia you used is vulnerable to fire. To prevent any risk, make sure to keep them in a container full of water or any other safe place, especially away from children.  

Tips to increase the longevity of your wood flooring:  

• You can vacuum the floor as often as required. You can also use formulated wood flooring cleaners. 
• Adopt wood flooring protectors for your furniture. 
• Avoid spilling food and drinks on the hardwood flooring. However minor accidents are inevitable so remember to wipe away the stains instantly.  
• Re-oil the floor depending upon the foot traffic in the room.
• Remove shoes before entering the room since they carry germs and can cause scratches.  

Hopefully, this blog was helpful. If you are thinking of switching to wood flooring or wish to order coatings and stains, we would be delighted to be at your service. You can make an order here! If you have any queries, do not hesitate to contact us.  

Have a great day! Stay safe.