How to take care of an oak floor?

The use of oak wood is one of the noblest forms of floor finishing. The excellent technological and practical parameters of oak make it a durable, resistant, and visually attractive material. Wooden planks can serve users for even several decades. To keep them looking good and fulfilling their role without reservation, they require proper care. We provide tips on how to care for an oak floor.

General principles of wooden floor maintenance:

• Regularly vacuum the floor to remove contaminants, such as sand particles to protect the planks from small scratches. Use a vacuum cleaner with a soft-bristled attachment.
• As an alternative to vacuuming, you can sweep the wooden floor with a soft-bristled brush.
• Do not wash the oak floor with a mop or cloth that is excessively saturated with water. The cleaning tool used should be damp, but not wet. A good solution is a flat mop with microfiber and wringing function.
• Do not use hot water to clean the floor. The water should have a maximum temperature of lukewarm.
• Do not scrub the wooden floor with a brush or rough sponge. Such treatments may adversely affect the top layer of the wood, especially if used regularly. A cloth made of delicate material or a soft mop will be much more effective.
• Do not use steam mops. Their use has a particularly negative effect on oiled and waxed floors.
• Do not wash the floor before vacuuming it. This can cause undesirable friction of dirt particles on the planks and the formation of micro-damage.
• Maintain the appropriate temperature in the room. It should not drop below 15 degrees Celsius. This is especially important in homes equipped with their heating source. Do not allow the house to become excessively cold. During winter trips, ensure proper heating when you are absent. The most desirable temperature is in the range of 18-24 degrees Celsius.
• Attach furniture legs with felt pads to prevent wood scratches. Ready-made pads of various shapes and sizes are available in many stores. You can also buy a sheet of self-adhesive felt and cut it to the appropriate size. They should be replaced from time to time as they wear out. It is also worth checking that they do not move.
• It is best when the humidity in the rooms is around 40-60%.
• Avoid walking around the house in high-heeled shoes. This particularly applies to thin heels.

Lacquered and oiled floors - basic care

In the case of both lacquered and oiled floors, basic maintenance involves regular vacuuming and washing of the planks in accordance with the principles described above. When choosing cleaning products, pay attention to which type of finish they are intended for. Some products are universal

(e.g. Arboritec Cleaner), while others are designed for a specific type of flooring (e.g. Arboritec Refresher for lacquered floors or Oil Refresher for oiled boards).

Floor lacquered and oiled - basic care Both for lacquered and oiled floors, basic care involves regular vacuuming and cleaning the boards according to the principles described above. When choosing cleaning products, pay attention to which type of finish they are intended for. Some products are universal (e.g., Arboritec Cleaner), while others are used to care for a specific type of floor (e.g., Arboritec Refresher for lacquered floors or Oil Refresher for oiled boards).

Specifics of caring for oiled floors Oil finishing is a very beneficial way of protecting wood. A floor finished in this way is highly resistant to scratches. Its natural appearance and prominent grain patterns are major advantages, and the wood protected in this way creates a special microclimate indoors. Oiled boards are not very susceptible to moisture, and it is worth noting that an oiled wooden floor is recommended for people with allergies. To keep it looking good and functioning properly for a long time, it requires special care. Here are the most important rules for caring for oiled floorboards.

• Do not wet-clean an oiled floor more than once a week. A few cleanings a month should be sufficient. Too much cleaning can negatively affect the properties and durability of an oiled floor.
• Use emulsions or soaps specifically designed for oiled floors for routine maintenance. If you choose universal products, read carefully to see if the manufacturer allows the use of the product on an oiled surface.
• After cleaning an oiled wooden floor, let it dry completely for about half an hour. During this time, do not walk on the floor.
• For strong dirt and stains on an oiled floor, you can use a special preparation enriched with anionic and nonionic surfactants. Remember that it will leave the floor without a protective film, which requires applying a maintenance oil to the boards.
• An oiled floor needs periodic oil maintenance. The frequency of maintenance should be adjusted to the traffic intensity in the room. In less frequently used rooms, maintenance once a year is usually sufficient. For more intense traffic, maintenance is recommended every six months. In areas with very heavy traffic, it is necessary to apply a specialist maintenance oil even every 2-3 months.
• Small chips and gaps in the surface of an oiled floor can be filled with wood filler and re-oiled locally.

If you want to buy high-quality products to take care of the condition of your oak floor, take a look here: Wood floor care products.