Perfection is totally overrated—unless you’re talking about pizza, then I have standards. But floors? I hear you. I used to stress every time my dog skidded across the living room, but now I just call it “character.”
I’ve been down the wax road too and, honestly, it felt like a full-body workout with none of the endorphins. Hardwax oil’s been a game-changer for me. It does need touch-ups here and there, but nothing like the old-school wax routine. Plus, if you miss a spot, nobody notices unless they’re crawling around on their hands and knees (and if they are, that’s their problem).
“I kind of like the little dings and scuffs... makes the place feel like home instead of a museum.”
Couldn’t agree more. My house is 120 years old—if it didn’t have some scuffs, I’d be suspicious. The only thing I wonder: does anyone actually keep their floors pristine for more than a week? Or is that just Instagram magic?
- 100% with you on the “character” thing. I’ve got two kids and a dog, so if my floors looked perfect, it’d mean we weren’t living in the house.
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“does anyone actually keep their floors pristine for more than a week? Or is that just Instagram magic?”
Definitely Instagram magic. I mop, blink, and there’s a new scuff or crumb.
- Hardwax oil has saved me time and money. Wax was just too much work and honestly, didn’t hold up any better in my experience.
- I’d rather spend less on upkeep and more on things we actually use—like pizza, as you said.
“does anyone actually keep their floors pristine for more than a week? Or is that just Instagram magic?”
It’s 100% Instagram magic. I’ve tried both wax and hardwax oil, and honestly, the oil wins for me too—less fuss, more time for life (and pizza). Floors are meant to be lived on, not admired from afar. A few scuffs just mean you’re making memories.
“Floors are meant to be lived on, not admired from afar. A few scuffs just mean you’re making memories.”
Couldn’t agree more. I live in a creaky old Victorian and if I tried to keep the floors “pristine,” I’d have to banish my dog, my kids, and probably myself. Wax looks gorgeous for about five minutes, then someone drags a chair and it’s back to square one. Hardwax oil is my go-to too—less drama, and when the inevitable scratch shows up, I just buff a little oil in and call it a day.
Honestly, I think the only people with flawless floors are either living alone or have a team of elves working overnight. I’ll take character over perfection any day. If you squint, those scuffs look like “patina,” right?
Honestly, I think the only people with flawless floors are either living alone or have a team of elves working overnight.
I get what you mean about “character over perfection.” I’m mid-renovation on a 1920s bungalow, and honestly, keeping the floors flawless just isn’t practical. Tried a traditional wax finish in the hallway—looked great for a week, then my nephew skidded his toy truck across it. The scratches were impossible to hide. Switched to hardwax oil in the living room and it’s been way easier to maintain. Quick touch-ups actually blend in, instead of making things look patchy. I still notice every mark, but I’m learning to see them as “patina,” like you said.
