The Forgotten Liquid That Can Shine And Wax Hardwood Floors

Effortlessly bringing a touch of timeless elegance, hardwood floors are a great addition to any home. This beautiful flooring option comes in various styles and finishes to complement any design aesthetic, and it can last in your home for decades. Plus, it can significantly boost your home value, making hardwood a gift that keeps on giving. However, hardwood floors are by no means cheap, as the cost to install them averages over $4,000. 

If you've paid a handsome sum to elevate your home with this stunning flooring option, it makes sense that you'd want to take care of it the best way possible to protect your investment. In addition to regular cleaning, hardwood floors occasionally require extra treatments to stay in tip-top shape, like wood oiling. The good news is that you can handle this maintenance step on your own using a household staple that will have your hardwood floors shining: linseed oil.

Extracted from flax plant seeds, linseed oil has long been a go-to ingredient for treating wood, and for good reason. When applied to wood, it seeps deep under the surface to fill in any crevices, bring out the original grain, and protect the material from inside. As it gives wood a subtle, elegant sheen, linseed oil treatment is one of the easy and budget-friendly ways to extend the shine of your hardwood floors. Most importantly, a linseed oil finish isn't hard to apply yourself, even if you've never done it before.

Before you start applying linseed oil to your floor, you'll need to properly prep your hardwood for the best results. Start by vacuuming or sweeping the floor to remove any dirt and dust. Follow up by mopping the floor with a mild cleaning solution and drying the surface thoroughly. As the final preparation step, sand your floor to remove any remnants of the old finish and open up the pores for the oil to soak into.

When the floor is ready for oiling, coat it with an even layer of linseed oil using a paintbrush, roller, or a microfiber rag. As you're applying the oil, make sure to follow the wood grain's natural direction for a cohesive finish. Let the oil sit for 15 minutes to half an hour, giving it enough time to work its way into the surface. Finish up by removing any excess oil with a clean, smooth rag to prevent stickiness and staining.

For the best results, prioritize proper care after treating your hardwood with linseed oil. For one, accommodate linseed oil's long curing time by avoiding placing any rugs on it for at least a week. To protect the oil finish after curing, choose mild, non-abrasive cleaning products that will keep your wood flooring looking like new. Finally, as linseed oil's effects are temporary, plan for reapplying the oil every two to three years, depending on the condition of your floor's finish.