How to tell if your floor is oiled or lacquered
Oiled and lacquered floors take different care, so the first thing worth knowing is which one you have. Two quick checks tell you in about a minute, no special kit needed.
Put a drop of water on the floor and wait a minute. On a lacquered floor it beads on top; on an oiled floor it soaks in slowly. An oiled floor is matt with open grain; a lacquered floor is sealed with a light sheen.
One cleaner suits both: FirstFloor Wood Floor Cleaner Concentrate →
The water-drop test
Put a small drop of water on the floor in an out-of-the-way spot and wait a minute. On a lacquered floor the water beads and sits on top, because the surface is sealed. On an oiled floor the drop tends to soak in slowly and may leave a faint darker mark that fades as it dries, because the timber is fed rather than sealed. Wipe it up either way.
What an oiled floor looks and feels like
An oiled floor is soft and matte, with an open grain you can feel. It looks natural, close to raw timber, with little or no surface shine. Oiled floors are topped up with maintenance oil rather than stripped back.
What a lacquered floor looks and feels like
A lacquered floor has a clear sealed coat sitting over the timber, with a light, even sheen. It feels smooth and sealed rather than raw, and the surface reflects a little more light. Lacquered floors are cleaned and refreshed, not oiled.
Still not sure, and cleaning either finish
If the water test is not clear, look at an edge or a wardrobe corner where the finish is untouched, or send us a photo and we will tell you. Whichever finish you have, the everyday clean is the same: a pH-neutral wood-floor cleaner and a well-wrung mop. Only the upkeep differs.
FirstFloor // Wood Floor Cleaner
Our own concentrate, suitable for both oiled and lacquered floors.
Common questions
What if the water test is not obvious?
Some floors sit in between, especially older ones. Check an unworn edge or corner, or send us a photo, and we will help you work out the finish.
Can a floor be both oiled and lacquered?
A floor has one finish at a time, though a very worn lacquer can behave a little like bare timber in the traffic lanes. If in doubt, treat it as the finish it was last coated with.
Does it matter which one I have?
Yes, for the upkeep. Cleaning is the same, but an oiled floor is topped up with oil and a lacquered floor is refreshed between recoats. Using the wrong upkeep product wastes it.
Can I use one cleaner for both?
Yes. A pH-neutral wood-floor cleaner suits both finishes for everyday cleaning. It is only the maintenance step that changes.
Now match the care to your floor
Shop the range, or send us a photo and we'll tell you what your floor needs.
