How To Apply Linseed Oil To Hardwood Floors
Learn how to apply linseed oil to your hardwood floors as an alternative to sealing them with polyurethane.
If you follow along on Instagram or YouTube then you know that we recently sealed our reclaimed hardwood floors with boiled linseed oil. Overall we love how they turned out but I wanted to share our experience using it so you can learn from us and have a post to refer back to!
Materials
FAQs
How to prep the wood:
We used reclaimed wood for the floors in our laundry room. We ripped the boards down to size, planned them, and then sanded them until they had the desired finish. After sanding, clean the floors thoroughly. Make sure to get all the dust from sanding off the floors so you have a nice clean surface to work with.
Do you have to dilute boiled linseed oil?
The short answer is no. Many people choose to dilute linseed oil with turpentine or mineral spirits. The purpose of this is to thin it down. The turpentine and mineral spirits will evaporate out of the oil when it is drying. We chose not to dilute it we didn’t want any additives in the oil but if you want to add them you definitely can.
How to apply:
When applying linseed oil I prefer to use a rag. I like using the t-shirt rags. You can use any old t-shirt. Another alternative method is to use a foam brush.
How to properly dispose of rags:
The easiest way to dispose of saturated rags is to open them and lay them flat to dry. When they are dry you can dispose of them with your regular trash. NEVER leave linseed oil rags in a wad always lay them flat when you are done using them.
How long does it take to dry?
When the oil has been applied to the surface and the excess is wiped away it will dry completely in 2-3 days.
Does linseed oil yellow over time?
Yes, linseed oil does yellow over time. There are several factors that cause more or less yellowing. The more saturated the wood is with oil it is more likely to yellow. Another factor is light. If the oiled surface is exposed to constant light it is more likely to yellow.
Disclaimer:
As with any product always do your own research and use at your own risk.
Is it combustible?
The linseed oil itself is not combustible but linseed oil-soaked rags can combust. You should NEVER leave a rag with linseed oil on it in a wad as it can spontaneously combust. As always do your own research and ensure you are using the product safely and properly.
Caring for oiled floors:
How often does it need to be reapplied?
How often the oil needs to be reapplied will be based on several different circumstances such as light, how often the floor is walked on, how porous the wood is, how often they are cleaned, as well as several other factors. Some people have to reapply as often as every 6 months while some only have to reapply it every 5 years.
How to know when it needs to be re-oiled?
When your floors begin showing signs of wear, and scratches, or it begins looking dull they need to be re-oiled.
How to clean oiled floors?
To clean oiled floors simply use a mild soap/cleaner and water. You can use a mop but make sure all excess water is wrung out from the mop. Do Not saturate the wood floor with water.
That is everything we learned from using linseed oil and all the FAQs I got on Instagram. I hope you found this post helpful! Before you go if you’re not already make sure you subscribe to the blog. Thanks for stopping by the homestead
Sarah!
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