How to care for old oak floors
Avoid dirt, sand and grit on your oak floor
Dirt, sand and grit can literally sand your oak floor, damage the finish and expose the wood underneath to water and atmosphere - and they have to be removed periodically, preferably using a vacuum cleaner.
Placing floor mats at the entrance can trap most dirt and sand, and increase the life of your oak flooring.
Avoid damp mopping if the finish is damaged
Damp mopping may seem to be a great way to clean your oak floor, but this may not be true always. If the finish is damaged at places, then water from the mop can get absorbed by the wood, and over a period of time can damage your floor.
Damp mopping is a good option only in the finish is in good shape.
How to determine if your oak floor needs a good cleaning or repair
If your oak floor is several years old and shows signs of aging, then you might want to determine whether your floor needs just a good dusting, or needs to be repaired.
Check the finish condition - If the finish has worn off at places, you might have to determine whether to refinish your floor or wax it.
Though waxing may give a great look to your floor rapidly, some professionals do not recommend it. You might want to consult a professional before you decide on either refinishing your floor or waxing it.
Check the condition of the wood : If the wooden boards are damaged, they may have to be replaced before either refinishing or some other operation.