I get the appeal of oil finishes—super forgiving, easy to spot-fix, and you’re right about how they highlight the grain. But I’ve gotta push back a bit on the “sweatpants” analogy. Oil’s great for low-key living, but it doesn’t offer much in terms of moisture resistance or long-term protection. If you’ve got a kitchen or entryway with heavy traffic (or, like me, a kid who thinks water bottles are meant to be spilled), wax actually holds up better against water rings and stains. It’s more work, yeah, but sometimes that extra layer is worth it. Maybe not museum-level shine every week, but a strategic wax in high-risk zones can save you some headaches down the line... just my two cents.
I hear you on the wax being tougher in the “high-risk zones”—my kitchen is basically a splash zone thanks to my kids. But man, I tried waxing once and felt like I was prepping for the Olympics.
Worth it, maybe, but does anyone else feel like wax is a dust magnet? Or am I just cursed with crumb-seeking floors? I’m all for protection, but if I have to buff every week, my budget (and my back) might revolt.“It’s more work, yeah, but sometimes that extra layer is worth it.”
“But man, I tried waxing once and felt like I was prepping for the Olympics.”
That’s the truth—waxing floors is basically CrossFit for homeowners. I get what you mean about the dust, too. I swear, the minute I finish buffing, my floor turns into a lint roller. I’ve tried both wax and oil, and honestly, oil’s less of a dust magnet in my experience. Wax looks great for about a week, then it’s back to the grind... literally. My back and wallet both prefer oil these days.
Honestly, I hear you on the “Olympic event” vibe—waxing is a workout nobody warns you about. I’ve seen clients swear by oil for that reason alone. It’s just easier to maintain, and you don’t get that constant haze of dust clinging to every surface. That said, wax does give this gorgeous, old-world glow you can’t quite replicate with oil. If you’re after that classic look and don’t mind the elbow grease, wax still has its place... but yeah, your back might not thank you.
Can totally relate to the sore back after a day of waxing floors—been there, regretted that. I will say, though, there’s something kinda meditative about buffing out a wax finish when you’ve got the time (and maybe a good podcast on). But honestly, I’ve leaned toward oil lately for the same reasons you mentioned: way easier upkeep, and it doesn’t feel like you’re fighting the floor every month. That said, if someone loves that old-school glow, I get the appeal. Sometimes the extra work is worth it... sometimes not.
