Oiled timber floors look beautiful and age well — but they need different care than lacquered ones. The oil sits in the wood, not as a film on top, so the wrong cleaner gradually strips the oil and dulls the finish. Get the rhythm right and an oiled floor will look fantastic for decades.
This guide covers daily care, monthly maintenance, the annual refresh, and when it’s time to call a professional. Written for NZ homes — engineered oak, solid timber, and parquet floors with a clear or pigmented oil finish.
How to know your floor is actually oiled
Place a few drops of water on the floor in an out-of-the-way spot and leave them for around 1–2 minutes.
Oiled floors also tend to feel more natural and textured underfoot, whereas lacquered floors feel more sealed and film-like.
If it beads, it is likely lacquered — see our lacquered floor guide instead.
If you’re still unsure, see our full finish identification guide.
Daily and weekly: cleaning
The job is to remove dirt without stripping the oil layer. Two principles:
- Sweep or vacuum first. Grit scratches the surface if you push it around with a wet mop. Use a soft brush or a vacuum without a beater bar.
- Damp, not wet. Spray a soap-based cleaner onto a microfibre pad, or onto the floor in a fine mist. Standing water is bad for any timber floor; for oiled floors it can also disturb the oil layer.
What to use:
- FirstFloor Wood Floor Cleaner Concentrate — NZ-made, plant-derived, 1L makes up to 100L of solution. Best value per litre.
- Ciranova Floor Soap — Belgian premium, gentle on oiled finishes, mild fragrance.
- Bona Oiled Wood Floor Cleaner — pairs with the Bona Spray Mop kit for oiled floors for one-handed cleaning.
What NOT to use on oiled floors: any neutral-pH or alkaline cleaner intended for lacquered surfaces, vinegar, ammonia, methylated spirits, generic floor sprays. They strip the oil over time. See what not to use.
Quarterly to half-yearly: maintenance oil top-ups
High-traffic zones — entryways, kitchens, hallways — wear faster than the rest of the floor. Apply a thin layer of maintenance oil every 3–6 months to keep them looking even with the rest of the floor.
How to apply maintenance oil:
-
- Clean the floor first (soap-based cleaner, let it dry fully — at least 30 minutes).
- Apply a thin film of oil with a microfibre cloth, applicator pad, or the FirstFloor Floor Buffing Machine fitted with a white buffing pad for a more even, professional-looking finish. Work with the grain and avoid leaving heavy or wet patches.
- Wipe away excess after 5–10 minutes. Don’t leave puddles.
- Buff lightly with a clean dry cloth.
- Allow approximately 12–24 hours before light foot traffic. Full curing can take several days depending on ventilation, temperature, and the oil used.
Which oil to choose:
- Natural / clear oiled floors — Admonter Maintenance Oil Natural or Ciranova Maintenance Oil.
- White / limed / pickled oiled floors — Admonter Maintenance Oil White. The white pigment maintains the floor’s tone; clear oil will gradually yellow it.
- Matt-finish oiled floors — FirstFloor Maintenance Oil Matt or Ciranova Maintenance Oil Matt.
Annual: full-floor maintenance oil
Once a year, apply maintenance oil to the entire floor (not just the high-traffic zones). Same method as above — sweep, clean, dry, apply thin, wipe excess, buff, wait.
This evens out wear across the floor and prevents the high-traffic patches from ever needing more aggressive intervention.
Every 5–10 years: professional re-oiling
Eventually the floor will need a full deep-clean and re-saturation with oil — typically a one-day job by a professional flooring contractor. Signs you’re due:
- Maintenance oil isn’t restoring the look the way it used to.
- Visible greying or shabby patches that don’t respond to cleaning.
- Floor feels dry or rough underfoot.
This is much cheaper and faster than sanding-and-refinishing — you keep the original character of the floor.
Quick reference
| When | What | Product |
|---|---|---|
| Weekly | Sweep + damp clean | Soap-based cleaner |
| Quarterly | Maintenance oil on high-traffic zones | Maintenance oil matched to finish |
| Annually | Full-floor maintenance oil | Same |
| Every 5–10 years | Professional re-oil | Pro service |
Care kit: shortcut to the right products
If you want to skip the decision-making, the Oiled Wood Floor Product Bundle includes the FirstFloor Concentrate cleaner plus the Bona spray mop and a maintenance oil — everything you need for daily through annual care, at a bundle discount.
