How to clean engineered timber floors: oiled vs lacquered
Engineered timber cleans just like solid timber, and the finish decides the upkeep. Here’s how to look after an oiled engineered floor and a lacquered one, and how to tell which you’ve got.
Clean an engineered timber floor with a pH-neutral wood-floor cleaner and a barely-damp mop, whatever the finish. The difference is the upkeep: an oiled floor gets a maintenance-oil top-up in the busy areas now and then, a lacquered floor gets a refresher between recoats. Skip vinegar, steam mops and harsh cleaners on both.
Our everyday cleaner: FirstFloor Wood Floor Cleaner Concentrate →
If your engineered floor is oiled
An oiled engineered floor is topped up rather than stripped back. Clean it with a well-wrung mop and an oiled-floor cleaner, and re-oil the high-traffic areas periodically with maintenance oil when they start to look dry. You don’t recoat the whole floor to do it.
FirstFloor Maintenance Oil Matt for Wood Floors
Re-oil periodically in high-traffic zones.
If your engineered floor is lacquered
A lacquered engineered floor has a sealed coat you clean rather than feed. Use a pH-neutral wood-floor cleaner and a barely-damp mop, and bring back the sheen with a refresher when the walked-on areas dull, rather than sanding the wear layer.
GrainGuard Lacquered Floor Protection (Mat)
A protective maintenance coat for entryways and kitchens.
How to tell which finish you have
Not sure which you’ve got? Put a small drop of water in an out-of-the-way spot. On a lacquered floor it beads and sits on top; on an oiled floor it soaks in and darkens the timber for a moment. If you’re still not sure, our floor-finish guide walks through it, or send us a photo.
Common questions
Can I use the same cleaner on oiled and lacquered engineered floors?
Yes. A neutral wood-floor cleaner suits both finishes. Only the upkeep differs: oiled floors get a maintenance-oil top-up, lacquered floors get a refresher.
Is vinegar safe on engineered timber?
We'd avoid it. Vinegar is acidic and can dull the finish over time. A pH-neutral wood-floor cleaner is the safer everyday choice.
Can I use a steam mop on an engineered floor?
Not one we'd recommend. Engineered boards have a real timber wear layer, and steam drives heat and moisture into it. A barely-damp microfibre mop is safer.
How often should I re-oil an oiled engineered floor?
Most homes top up the busy areas once or twice a year, and give the whole floor a professional re-oil every few years, depending on wear.
Match the cleaner to your finish
Oiled or lacquered, shop the range or ask us which suits your engineered floor.
