Re-Oiling
Maintenance re-oiling in Esher: colour, sheen and protection restored, usually in a day.
Wood floor re-oiling in Esher
Hardwax oil gives a warm, natural finish that slowly wears away in busy areas. You will notice it first in hallways, kitchens and in front of the sofa, where the floor looks grey or dry. Re-oiling puts back what daily life has worn away, without the time and cost of a full sand.
What a re-oil involves
A machine deep clean to remove dirt, grease and old polish
Light buffing to open the surface and remove fine marks
Extra attention to walkways and worn spots
One or two coats of maintenance oil, buffed to an even sheen
Is re-oiling right for my floor?
Re-oiling works on floors that were finished with oil or hardwax oil and still have an intact surface. Lacquered floors need lacquer re-coating instead, because oil cannot penetrate a lacquer film. Where the wood is badly stained or scratched, a full floor sanding is the better option. For more help deciding, read when to re-oil or re-coat.
After your re-oil
You can usually walk on the floor in socks after a few hours, put furniture back after 24 to 48 hours and lay rugs after about a week. Use a pH-neutral cleaner made for oiled floors and avoid steam mops. See how to care for oiled floors for a simple routine.
How to tell it is time
Busy areas look lighter and duller than the edges of the room
Water no longer beads on the surface and soaks in quickly
The floor marks and stains more easily
The finish looks uneven in different areas
A quick water drop test tells you a lot - if the water soaks in quickly, it is time to re-oil. The sooner you re-oil, the less work the floor needs. Kitchens and hallways usually need attention first.
Re-oiling is one of the most cost-effective things you can do for a wooden floor. Booked every year or two, it keeps the floor protected and can delay a full sand for many years.
Part of our floorcare service
This service sits within our floorcare and aftercare range. See our prices page for typical costs per square metre. Book a free survey or send us a photo for a quick quote.
Guide prices
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Maintenance re-oil
Deep clean and fresh coat of oil — no sanding needed.
from £9 per m²
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Re-coating lacquered floors
Light abrade and a new protective coat of lacquer.
from £12 per m²
Guide prices — we confirm a fixed price after a free survey.
Questions about re-oiling
Do I need a full sand or just a re-oil?
If the finish is worn but the wood is not damaged, a maintenance coat is often enough. It takes a fraction of the time of a full sand and keeps the floor protected. See re-oiling.
Are your oils and lacquers pet-friendly?
They are. We use low-VOC oils and water-based lacquers that are safe for children and pets once fully dry. We suggest keeping pets out of the room for the first 24 hours, and keep claws trimmed to help the finish last.
Can you quote from photos?
For many jobs, yes. A few clear photos and the room sizes let us give a guide price quickly. We confirm it with a short visit before work starts, so the final quote is fixed.
When does an oiled floor need a fresh coat?
Busy areas like hallways and kitchens usually need a maintenance coat every one to two years. Quieter rooms can go much longer. Our guide to re-oiling and re-coating helps you judge.
How are your prices worked out?
The cost depends on the size of the floor, its condition and the finish. Our prices page shows typical starting prices, and we confirm everything with a fixed written quote.
How should I clean an oiled floor?
Use a soft brush or vacuum, then a barely damp mop with a wood floor soap. Avoid steam mops and bleach or multi-surface sprays. Read our care guide for a simple routine.
What our customers say
Exactly what we hoped for
“The hardwax oil finish in our dining room is beautiful. The only small thing was that they arrived a little later than planned on day one, but they kept us informed and still finished on time.”
Long Ditton
Great work at our school
“They completed our classroom floors in a single half-term week. The team were careful, safe and tidy, and staff were really impressed.”
Hersham
A transformed hall
“They worked around our services and events, finished on schedule and left the hall spotless. The hall feels bright and welcoming again.”
Hinchley Wood