Hi! Welcome to our blog. Whether you’re a faithful follower or you’re new, we’re glad you’re here. We’re a brick and mortar flooring store located in Springfield Missouri. In our last blog post we talked about the benefits to an Osmo hardwax oil finished floor. A finish, that when properly maintained, can last 100+ years! If you missed the last blog post you can catch up on everything here.
Today we’re going to explain the step by step maintenance to properly maintain an Osmo Hardwax Oil finished floor.
Preventative Maintenance
You may protect your floor by taking the following precautions:
Recommended humidity levels are between 35%-55% relative humidity
Protect floors during construction and when moving heavy objects to prevent permanent scratches
Use appropriate wide floor protectors, like felt pads, under tables, chairs, and any other heavy home furnishing to avoid permanent damage. As a rule, the heavier the object, the wider the floor protector.
Walk off mats should be used at all entrances to absorb soil and moisture. The use of appropriate mats will help avoid scratches and damages to the floor. If mats are placed directly on top of the hardwood floors, use proper indoor mats.
Area rugs are recommended in high traffic and pivot areas. Avoid shoes with spiked or damaged heels. Also keep pets’ paws and nails cleaned and trimmed.
Avoid steam mops, multi purpose cleaners, and use of tape on your hardwood floors.
Routine Maintenance / Post installation Maintenance
Vacuum and/or Sweep
Remove dust and lint with a soft brush vacuum cleaner and/or a standard dust mop.
Mop with Osmo Wash and Care (2 methods)
Method 1
Mix 1 capful per 2 liters of water or 1/2 gallon
Mop the entire floor with this mixture using a Microfiber mop.
Remember to always mop with the wood grain
For a highly soiled floor, increase the mixing ration to 1:1.
Mop with a slightly damp cloth - you do not want to soak the floor
2 mop buckets are required - 1 with the cleaning solution, and 1 with clean water for rinsing.
IMPORTANT make sure to avoid excess water
Method 2
Mix 1 capful per 32 ounces of water
Spray mixture onto the floor and mop with a microfiber mop
Remember to always mop with the wood grain
This method will use less water, but it is important to avoid excessively soaking the floor with the cleaning solution.
Let it dry
Leave the floor to dry for at least 2 hours before allowing foot traffic and/or placing rugs
Annual Maintenance
From time to time, your wood flooring needs to be refreshed. refreshing is normally needed once a year. Osmo Liquid Wax Refresher is required to regenerate your floor to retain its original luster. Cleaning intervals depend on the foot traffic.
Vacuum and/or Sweep
Remove dust and lint with a soft brush vacuum cleaner and/or a standard dust mop.
Mop with Osmo Wash and Care
Using either Method 1 or Method 2 listed above
Mop with Liquid Wax Refresher
Dilute the Liquid Wax refresher with clean lukewarm water in a 1:1 ration (e.g. 1 cup of water) in a spray bottle.
1 cup of Liquid Wax Refresher. Mix the solution well. Spread this mixture well and evenly across the entire floor using a Microfiber mop. Follow the grain when spreading.
IMPORTANT make sure to avoid excess water
Let it dry
Leave the floor to dry for at least 2 hours before allowing foot traffic and/or placing rugs.
Spot Treatment
Osmo Liquid Wax Cleaner is ideal for removing tough stains, ex. grease or shoe polish.
Vacuum and/or Sweep
Remove dust and lint with a soft brush vacuum cleaner and/or a standard dust mop.
Apply Osmo Liquid Wax Cleaner
Shake before use - do not dilute
Apply approx. 2 teaspoons/10sf with a microfiber cloth
Use clot or scotch pad to work out tough stains
Let it dry
Once the stain is removed, apply a little more Osmo Liquid Wax Cleaner to the floor to reseal the floor.
Leave the floor to dry for at approx. 30-40 minutes.
As always, if you have further questions on maintaining your new floors, we’re happy to help. Call us at (417) 883-4720, email us at flooring417@gmail.com, or visit our showroom located at 2516 W. Battlefield Rd. in Springfield, Missouri.
