Looking after your Timberzone floor.

Routine Cleaning — Oiled Floors

Sweep or vacuum (with the brush head down) regularly to lift grit before it scratches. Grit, not water or mishandling, is the single most common cause of premature wear on an oiled floor — keeping the surface clean of it between mops is the single most useful daily habit.

For wet cleaning, use a damp mop with WOCA Natural Soap, which is formulated specifically for oiled wood floors. Mix according to the bottle and wring the mop out thoroughly — the floor should look slightly damp, not wet, and dry within two minutes. Standing water is the enemy of any wood floor.

Wipe spills immediately, particularly anything alkaline (coffee, milk, wine, fruit juice). The longer a spill sits, the more likely it is to leave a mark.

Regular Maintenance — Oiled Floors

An oiled floor doesn't need re-finishing in the conventional sense — but the surface oils gradually wear off in high-traffic areas (kitchens, hallways, in front of seating). Periodic re-oiling restores the protective layer and the depth of the colour.

Apply WOCA Maintenance Oil every 6 to 24 months, depending on use. We supply Natural for natural and dark colours; White for our pale and bleached oaks. Always test in a small inconspicuous area first.

Routine Cleaning — Waxed Floors

Wax suits reclaimed-character oak and our deeper colours particularly well — it gives a soft, low sheen and a faintly velvety feel underfoot. Sweep or vacuum (brush head down) regularly to lift grit, then mop with pH-neutral wood floor soap diluted per the bottle, wringing thoroughly so the floor is barely damp.

Avoid bleach, ammonia, vinegar and any all-purpose cleaner — these will strip wax, dull the finish and may leave permanent blemishes. Wipe spills immediately, especially coffee, wine and citrus juices.

Scuffing — Normal for the First Few Months

When new, a waxed floor scuffs lightly under traffic. This is expected. Wax hardens with use, and the scuffs are easily lifted with a domestic cotton or microfibre buffer. After roughly six months of normal use, the surface stabilises and noticeable scuffing largely stops.

Regular Maintenance — Waxed Floors

Re-wax every 3 to 4 years, depending on traffic. The new layer will scuff lightly again, just as it did when the floor was new — same cycle: scuff, buff, harden, settle. We can supply matching beeswax-based floor wax, or our maintenance team can carry out the re-wax under a service agreement.

Routine Cleaning — Varnished Floors

Day to day, a vacuum with brushes down or a soft broom is enough. Lacquered floors are exceptionally easy to keep dust-free — the sealed surface releases dust rather than holding onto it.

For heavier cleaning, use a damp cloth or mop with WOCA Master Cleaner. Wring the mop out so it's barely damp; rinse it regularly during cleaning to avoid redepositing grit. Never use alcohol-based products — they will damage the lacquer surface and accelerate ageing.

Deep Cleaning

If the floor has dulled in patches or you want to refresh the appearance after heavy use, a periodic deep clean with the WOCA Clean and Care Kit will restore the surface and lay down a thin protective layer that extends the life of the lacquer. Once every 12 to 18 months is typical for residential use; high-traffic commercial floors may benefit every 3 to 6 months.

Scratches & Repair

The most important thing to know about a lacquered floor is that scratches in the lacquer cannot be spot-treated the way oil or wax can. If the lacquer wears through to bare wood, the affected area will need to be professionally re-lacquered. Prevention — doormats, felt pads, regular sweeping — is therefore particularly important.