Sand, clean and finish bare floorboards with oil or wax for a lasting protective shine.
OF-01Clear and prepare the roomRemove furniture, rugs and curtains from the room. Vacuum the floor thoroughly, including the gaps between boards where grit collects. Check for loose boards, cracked wood or flaking old varnish before you start.
OF-02Punch down nails and fill gapsUse a nail punch to sink any protruding nail or screw heads below the surface. This stops them tearing sanding pads or cloths later. Fill large gaps, holes or old fixing marks with a wood filler and let it dry fully before sanding.
OF-03Sand the floorboardsSand along the grain with medium grit first (80-120), then fine grit (150-180) to smooth the surface. A hand sander or edging sander is enough for a single room; only hire a drum sander if the boards are badly marked. Vacuum all dust off between grits and again once you're done.
OF-04Clean the surfaceVacuum again to lift every trace of dust from the gaps and edges. For oil finishes, wipe over with a cloth dampened in white spirit; for wax, a dry lint-free cloth is enough. Let the boards dry completely before going further, since damp wood won't take a finish evenly.
OF-05Ventilate and protect the roomOpen windows for airflow, as oils and waxes give off strong fumes while drying. Tape a dust sheet along the skirting board if you want a crisp, protected edge. Keep pets and children out of the room until the finish is fully dry.
OF-06Apply the first coatFor oil, apply a thin, even coat with a lint-free cloth or brush, working with the grain, then wipe off excess after 10-15 minutes so it doesn't go tacky. For wax, apply a thin layer with a cloth, let it go slightly cloudy, then buff before it fully hardens. Check the tin for exact timing, as this varies between brands.
1 tin · Floor oil or wax (Osmo, Danish oil or Briwax)
OF-07Sand lightly between coats (oil only)Once the first oil coat is dry, usually after 8-12 hours, rub over lightly with fine wire wool or 240 grit sandpaper to knock back raised grain. Vacuum and wipe away the dust before applying the next coat. Skip this step for wax finishes and just re-buff instead.
OF-08Apply second coat and buffApply a second thin coat the same way as the first. For wax, buff hard with a clean cloth or buffing pad in circles once it's touch-dry, until it shines. For oil, wipe off any excess and leave it to cure.
OF-09Leave to dry and cureKeep the room ventilated and free of foot traffic for the drying time on the tin, often 24 hours before light use. Full curing can take 5-7 days, so avoid rugs or heavy furniture on the floor until then.
OF-10Dispose of rags and tidy upOil-soaked cloths can catch fire on their own as the oil dries, so never bin them while wet. Lay them flat outside to dry fully, or soak them in water in a metal container, then bin them. Clean brushes with white spirit for oil finishes, or warm soapy water for wax.