Wooden floors will make a home look cosy and warm when the weather is freezing cold outside, but they usually require a lot more maintenance once we turn the heating on. Radiators tend to collect a lot of dust after sitting untouched all year, and all that debris will get blown out and stick to the floor, as wood tends to generate a lot of static electricity. The warm air from radiators can also dry out wooden floors, which will dull their natural shine, but it can also make them a lot more brittle and more likely to become damaged.
However, there is no need to worry, as one expert from Vintage & Speciality Wood Inc has shared a simple way to keep wooden floors clean and polished: wipe them down with a little olive oil. The expert said: “Olive oil contains oleic acid, making up 55-83% of its content. Oleic acid moisturises and lubricates, penetrating wood to prevent drying and cracking”
How does olive oil clean and protect wooden floors?
Olive oil will add more moisture to the wood to keep it shiny and stop it drying out, but it also contains antioxidants like vitamin E which can protect it for much longer.
Static electricity can also only build up in a dry environment, and olive oil helps moisten a wooden floor to remove dust, so you do not have to vacuum as often.
It will also help remove any minor scratches and marks on wood, making your floor look better maintained and polished without much effort.
Using olive oil to clean a wooden floor creates a small barrier that prevents heat from damaging the floor, makes it look better, and repels dust without the need to buy additional cleaning products.
How to use olive oil to protect wooden floors in autumn
Clean your floor like you normally would by vacuuming and mopping. To mop the floor, mix lemon juice or white vinegar with some warm water, as the acidity will help quickly dissolve any grime on the floor. Then tip out the water. Fill your mop bucket with warm water and a tablespoon of olive oil.
Make sure the solution is well mixed and the water has completely cooled down, then mop your floors again. Wring out the mop properly after each use, as you want the floor to be a little damp but not completely soaked through.
Allow the oil to absorb into the wood for a minute or two, then make sure to dry it completely with a mop or a clean cloth. Wood will warp if left wet, and it will also attract dust, which can form a tough, sticky residue.
Treat your floor with this olive oil solution once in autumn, and the wood should look shiny and stay free of dust for the whole season.