Oiling Hardwood floors by using Wood Lye and oil

For oiling hardwood floors you will need the items listed below. Our quantity recommendations are based on experience of the average floor – if your wood flooring is very old and porous then increase the quantities and vice versa for dense wood types.

Product Name	<10m2	<25m2	<50m2	>50m2
Stage 1 – Preparation with wood lye
Flat mop	1	1	1	1
Woca Wood Lye	2 ltr	4 ltr	7.5 ltr	1 ltr per 7sqm
Blue Nylon Pad	1	1	1	1
Stage 2 – Main Oiling
Flat Mop from stage 1
Your Choice of Oil	1 ltr	2.5 ltr	5 ltr	1 ltr per 10m2
Your choice of oil will usually be the White master oil which will keep the floor looking light and slightly whitened. If you require a very light finish the Extra white oil should be used.
Coarse, green Patina Disks	1	2	3	1 per 15m2
Absorbent Cloths	2	5	10	5 per 25m2
Stage 3: maintenance oiling
Blue Nylon pad	2	2	2	2
Intensive Wood Cleaner	1 ltr	1 ltr	1 ltr	1 ltr up to 400m2
Flat mop from stage 1
Maintenance Oil Natural	1 ltr	1 ltr	2 ltr	1 ltr per 40m2
Medium, green patina disks	1	2	3	1 per 15m2
Absorbent Cloths	2	5	10	5 per 25m2
Stage 4: subsequent cleaning
Natural Soap White	2.5 ltr	2.5 ltr	2.5 ltr	2.5 ltr
Flat mop from stage 1 & 2
Additional Mop Head	0	0	1	1 extra per 25m2

Stage 1 - treat the floor with the wood lye. This will soak into the wood and is left to dry overnight.

Stage 2 – Buff the woca wood floor oil (master oil, colour oil) into the floor. The floor surface should then be rubbed down with coarse patina disks to smooth the wood grain. Any excess oil needs to be removed with a cloth so that the surface is damp rather than wet with the oil. If using the white master oil you will notice that some of the white residue is removed when wiping off the excess.

Stage 3 – Wash the floor using the wood cleaner. Re-oil with maintenance oil and rub down with the medium patina disk

Stage 4 – General maintenance of your floor. The white pigments in the soap will keep the floor light. The white soap should be used regardless of which oil was originally applied.

Preparation with Wood Lye: Stage 1

Ensure your wood floor has been correctly sanded ready for the oiling process.

The Wood Lye is a solution which contains a white pigment that ensures the floor will remain light after it is finished and continues to lighten when exposed to sunlight. You can use Wood Lye on any wood type, both softwood and hardwood. There are 2 types of wood lye which will complement your floor – for softwoods such as Pine and Larch, you need to use the softwood lye. For hardwoods such as oak and exotic species the Wood lye should be used.

Empty the Lye into a bucket or container and stir thoroughly to ensure all the pigments have been fully mixed together (these often settle at the bottom of the bottle). When applying the wood lye use a blue nylon pad with the flat mop to get into tight corners. The instructions on the Woca Wood Lye state that the floor needs to be washed with Intensive Wood Cleaner before applying the Wood Lye, however this is not always required and the floor can be prepared by removing any dust with a vacuum.

Spread the wood lye in to the floor using blue flat mop. Apply a generous coat of aprox 7sqm per litre to the floor. Ensure the wood is evenly saturated by brushing along the grain of the wood. Leave to dry for 8 hours.

A further wash with intensive wood cleaner is recommended by Woca to remove any excess lye but this step is not always required as this process is also done when the floor is treated with the master oil.

The oiling process: Stage 2

Ensure all the Wood Lye has completely dried out before applying the oil.

It is advisable to wear old clothes during oiling as this process involves using plenty of oil cloths and the oil can damage your clothing. The process takes aprox 1 hour per 20sqm. Take care when using the oil as it can cause skin irritation – the use of oil resistant rubber gloves is recommended. When the cloths have been used they need to be placed in a bucket of water as the fumes can cause self-combustion.

Empty the contents of the oil into a container and stir well to ensure the white pigments are not settled at the bottom of the container.

Apply the oil using the flat mop, brush, roller or cloth. Take care around the edges of the room and apply with a small brush and cloth to ensure no oil is splashed onto skirting or adjoining floors.

Leave the oil for 20 minutes to soak into the wood. If the oil absorbs through before this time apply more oil. Buff the floor using a flat mop to ensure the oil is fully absorbed. Working along the grain of the wood, buff the surface using the green patina disk to smooth the surface. Working from the edge of the room furthest from the exit, wipe off all excess oil using clean cloths and ensure there are no patches of oil left on the floor as this will start to shine when dry. A polishing machine can be used during this process for larger areas. These can be hired from most hire shops. Leave to dry for at least 12 hours and do not walk on the floor in this time. Dispose of all the cloths by placing in a container filled with water as they can self combust / ignite.

Maintenance process: Stage 3

A final maintenance coat should be applied to ensure that the floor is completely protected – if building work is being done protect the floor with Everbuild Roll and Stroll until all work is complete – then apply the maintenance coat.

1st Maintenance Coat

The 1st maintenance coat is applied to ensure that the floor stays durable and wear resisistant. This maintenance coat should be done after all building / decorating work has been completed as it can remove any dirt / wear from work done.

Step 1 – Wet Clean and scrub

This step involves cleaning the floor with Intensive Wood Cleaner. This should be made up of 1 part cleaner and 40 parts water. Scrub the floor using the flat mop to get any dirt off the floor.

Using a dry mop head or dry cloth, wipe off all the excess water from the floor. When the cloth / mop head get saturated rinse and wring out before continuing. Check the floor for marks whilst it is still wet – any marks on the floor can be removed with the edge of a knife.

Leave the floor to dry for 1-2 hours. Some floors including oak floors may look dull now – however the sheen and colour will return when re-oiled.

Step 2 – Oil

Apply a thin coat of maintenance oil to the floor using a cloth and rub in well. The maintenance oil should be used sparingly. Whilst the floor is still damp, the floor should be buffed by using 2 green patina disks with the flat mop. This will smooth the surface of the wood to give a beautiful protected finish.

Wipe any excess oil from the floor after buffing. Leave the floor to dry for at least 4 hours before walking on it. If you are using a buffing machine and you want a higher sheen on the floor you can apply a second coat of maintenance oil and leave to dry for 1 – 2 hours. When the floor is tacky the excess can be buffed off.

Periodical cleaning: Stage 4

The White soap needs to be used when cleaning and maintaining your floor to keep the floor light. When the floor requires a maintenance clean complete step 3 to bring the floor back to its fully protected condition.

Ruth Shann, Real Oak Floors Ltd. July 2008

hardwood floors
oak flooring
Everbuild Roll and Stroll

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