Re-oiling floor

[EmmaT]

Hi all,
It's been a while since I've been here - enjoying catching up. We've got a wide oak board floor in our living room (modern, as original floor had been knackered). When we had it laid I sealed it with the Osmo hard-wax oil stuff (can't remember exact variety - is in shed and raining too much to go and check!) but it's now needed redoing (couple of years later). It's pretty grubby where we walk through (front door straight in to room scenario) and there's a patch in front of the fire that's got a few marks etc. All character of course. However, how do I best go about cleaning/re-oiling so I remove most of the actual dirt without removing the character (presume best not to sand down?).
Cheers, Em

 

[FamilyWiggs]

Hello Emma - welcome back.

In your shoes I would wash the floor with soapy water and allow to dry, and then apply another couple of coats of your original wax. Given that you want to retain the character that is developing, I wouldn't be too scrupulous in the cleaning and mark removal. I certainly wouldn't every sand them as this removes all traces of character and patina - even in boards as new as yours.

 

[CHRIS]

I would try and give it a deep clean using Ecover Linseed soap and a green scratcher pad before re-oiling. This is exactly what I used on my oak flooring as mine was truly nasty with a few years worth of dog mud and work boots tailing in and out all the time. Use plenty of warm water and get on your knees!!!!

 

[FamilyWiggs]

Ecover floor cleaner contains linseed oil. We use it on our slate flags regularly - is lovely.

 

[Moo]

Ecover floor cleaner contains linseed oil. We use it on our slate flags regularly - is lovely.

What a wonderful place this forum is. That's just what I could do with!

xx

 

[CHRIS]

Smells nice too

 

[Penners]

Smells nice too

What? The forum? :wink:

I agree with Chris's suggestion. Just wanted to add a PS, in case you don't know what a green scratcher pad is. The material is actually Scotchbrite - like the pan scourers you can buy. It's available in sheets from woodworking and DIY stores as an ultr-fine abrasive for wood.

 

[FamilyWiggs]

Get proper ones though - the cheap ones from the supermarket are likely to a) disintegrate, b) dye everything a muddy green colour.

 

[EmmaT]

Thanks guys - love the sound of the Ecover floor cleaner so will combine with some elbow grease and set to it!

 

[AMc]

When we had it laid I sealed it with the Osmo hard-wax oil stuff (can't remember exact variety - is in shed and raining too much to go and check!) but it's now needed redoing (couple of years later).

I've just applied a lot so I know that Osmo's product care instructions suggest cleaning and if necessary recoating. There is no need to resand before adding a fresh coat, though my experience suggests denibbing with very fine sand paper between multiple coats results in a much smoother final finish.
I'd also heartily recommend Ecover floor cleaner over hardwax oil treated boards or pamments.