I hear you on the wax—there’s just something about that buttery glow that makes old floors look like they belong in a Parisian apartment. But honestly, I’ve seen so many folks get frustrated with the upkeep. One client of mine tried to keep up with wax in a house full of kids and a golden retriever... let’s just say, she switched to oil pretty fast. Still, if you love the ritual and don’t mind a little elbow grease, wax is hard to beat for character. For me, it’s all about how much “lived-in” you want your floors to look over time.
there’s just something about that buttery glow that makes old floors look like they belong in a Parisian apartment
That “Parisian apartment” vibe is hard to argue with, but I always wonder how many folks really want to be on their knees buffing wax after a long week. Is it just me, or do dogs and waxed floors have some kind of secret vendetta? I’ve seen so many paw prints... and don’t even get me started on spilled juice. Have you tried any of the plant-based oils? I’ve had good luck with them, plus they’re a bit more forgiving when life gets messy.
I hear you on the paw prints—my old hound seems to have a sixth sense for freshly waxed floors. It’s like he waits until I’m done, then does a little parade just to leave his mark. Wax does look gorgeous, but honestly, I don’t have the patience (or knees) for that kind of upkeep every month. The shine is dreamy, but it’s a lot of work if you’ve got pets or kids running around.
I switched over to a hardwax oil a couple years back and haven’t looked back. It doesn’t have quite the same glassy glow as traditional wax, but it still brings out the grain and gives everything a warm, lived-in look. Plus, when someone inevitably spills something (juice, wine, you name it), it’s way less stressful. You can spot-treat without having to redo the whole floor.
Plant-based oils are great if you’re worried about fumes or want something more eco-friendly. I used one from Rubio Monocoat and it was surprisingly easy—just rub it in and let it cure. No buffing marathon required. The only downside is you lose a bit of that old-school Parisian vibe, but honestly, I’ll take that trade-off for sanity’s sake.
If you’re after that buttery glow but don’t want to be a slave to maintenance, maybe try layering an oil finish with a light wax on top in high-traffic spots? That’s what my neighbor does and her floors look fantastic without being too precious about them.
Anyway, totally get where you’re coming from. There’s something special about those old floors—just gotta find the balance between beauty and real life.
“my old hound seems to have a sixth sense for freshly waxed floors. It’s like he waits until I’m done, then does a little parade just to leave his mark.”
Haha, I swear pets have a radar for freshly cleaned anything. I’m with you on the hardwax oil—did you notice any difference in how it handles scratches? My kids treat the hallway like a racetrack, so I’m always weighing durability over looks...
Honestly, I’ve always been a bit skeptical about hardwax oil being the holy grail for scratches. It’s nice, sure, but in my old Victorian, I actually prefer traditional paste wax. There’s something about the way it ages—scratches sort of blend in over time, and you can buff out little marks without much fuss. With oil finishes, I’ve noticed they can look patchy if you try to spot-fix, especially in high-traffic zones like your hallway.
My dog’s claws and the grandkids’ toy trucks have left their fair share of “character” on the floors, but I kind of love how it tells a story. Wax isn’t as bulletproof as some modern finishes, but it’s forgiving. Plus, reapplying is almost meditative for me... not everyone’s cup of tea, I know. Just tossing it out there—sometimes a bit of imperfection adds charm.
