Admonter Oiled Floors Care Guide
How to Care for an Admonter Oiled Floor
An Admonter oiled floor is easy to look after. Vacuum or sweep away the grit, damp-mop with Admonter Clean & Care diluted in warm water, and wipe spills straight away. Top up the oil every 12 to 24 months to feed the timber. No steam, no harsh cleaners, no flooding it with water.
Why an oiled floor is looked after differently
Admonter is the Austrian floor Vienna Woods represents in New Zealand: engineered European oak and larch, made in Austria, finished with a natural oil. An oil finish soaks into the timber rather than sitting on top as a hard film, so it feels close to raw and can be spot-repaired rather than fully sanded back. That same quality means it does not like harsh chemicals, standing water or heat. Get the routine right and an oiled floor tends to age well and keep its looks.
The routine below is specific to an oiled Admonter floor. For the full picture across every finish, see our maintenance & cleaning hub.
Your weekly cleaning routine
Most of the work is just keeping grit off the floor. Dust and grit are what cause the fine scratches over time, so regular dry cleaning matters more than washing. When the floor looks dull or sticky, wash it with a floor soap made for oiled timber. Admonter Clean & Care is the matched product; between professional services, our own FirstFloor floor-care range is the Vienna Woods alternative for everyday cleaning.
1. Sweep or vacuum first
Lift the grit with a soft brush head or a broom before it gets ground in. Do this often in busy areas and at the doors.
2. Damp-mop, never wet
Wash with Admonter Clean & Care, diluted in warm water at the rate on the label. Wring the mop out well and work in the direction of the grain. Damp only, never a wet floor.
3. Two-bucket method
One bucket for the diluted cleaner, one for clean rinse water. It keeps dirty water off the floor and the finish looking even. Let it air-dry.
4. Wipe spills straight away
Water and oils can mark an oil finish if they sit. Keep a pre-mixed bottle of the floor soap handy and deal with spills as they happen.
Feeding the oil back in
An oil finish is topped up over time rather than left alone. As the oil is used, the colour can look a little flat and the timber loses some of its water resistance. There are two levels to this. When the floor just looks dull or the tone has faded, a more generous wash with Admonter Clean & Care (it carries oils and waxes as well as cleaners) can revive it, then buff with a white pad or soft cloth for more sheen. When the finish is genuinely worn, it is time to re-oil.
Re-oiling uses Admonter maintenance oil, applied sparingly. How far it goes depends on the floor, so follow the coverage rate on the product label, and a thirsty floor drinks more. A full floor is best oiled and machine-buffed by a flooring technician, and Vienna Woods offers an oiling service. Small areas and scratches can be spot-treated by hand. For the DIY method start to finish, see our step-by-step maintenance-oil guide, and for how to judge the timing read when it is time to re-oil your timber floor.
Cared for this way, an oiled floor can usually be refreshed and re-oiled rather than sanded right back, which is one of the quiet advantages of an oil finish. If you want to budget it out first, we break down what oiled-floor maintenance costs.
Oiled-floor do’s and don’ts
Keep it simple
- Vacuum or sweep regularly to lift grit before it scratches.
- Wipe spills straight away with a damp, not wet, cloth.
- Keep a pre-mixed bottle of floor-soap solution handy.
- Put felt pads under furniture legs and check them often.
- Use a doormat at exterior doors; choose rugs with natural backings, as rubber can mark an oil finish.
- Expect some seasonal movement and slight colour change; move rugs for the first 6 to 12 months so the tone settles evenly.
Avoid these
- Steam-mop or steam-clean the floor; heat can damage both the timber and the finish.
- Flood it with water. Damp-mop only, never wet.
- Use household sprays, solvents or turps on the timber.
- Scrub hard or use abrasive pads, which can lift the oil.
- Drag heavy furniture across it, or walk on it in stiletto heels.
- Sand the finish off without calling us first.
Next steps
See the Admonter range
European oak and larch, made in Austria, in natural-oiled finishes. Browse the colours before you order.
Order free samples
See and feel the oiled finish in your own light before you commit. Samples are free anywhere in New Zealand.
Book an oiling service
Prefer it done for you? Tell us the floor and the area and we will quote the re-oil.
Common questions
What cleaner should I use on an Admonter oiled floor?
Use a floor soap made for oiled timber. Admonter Clean & Care is the matched product, diluted in warm water at the rate on the label. Never use household sprays, solvents or turps, and never a steam mop.
Can I use a steam mop on an oiled floor?
No. Steam and heat can damage both the timber and the oil finish. Sweep or vacuum to lift grit, then damp-mop only, wringing the mop out well so the floor is never wet.
How often should I re-oil an Admonter floor?
As a general guide, every 12 to 24 months, and sooner in high-traffic or dry areas. The clearest sign is when the colour looks flat and the timber feels less protected. Our guide on when it is time to re-oil walks through the tells.
Can I re-oil the floor myself?
Small areas and scratches can be spot-treated by hand with maintenance oil. A full floor is best oiled and machine-buffed by a technician for an even finish, and Vienna Woods offers this service. Our maintenance-oil guide covers the DIY method.
Does an oiled floor ever need sanding back?
Usually not. One of the advantages of an oil finish is that it can generally be refreshed and re-oiled rather than sanded right back like a sealed floor. If a section looks worn, call us before sanding anything off.
Still have a question about looking after your floor? See our full timber flooring FAQ or get in touch.
Looking after an Admonter floor, or choosing one?
Order free samples to see the oiled finish in your own light, or talk to us about a re-oil or a new floor.