Make your house a home

To give sanded floorboards a spruce up for spring, first assess the condition of the existing coating. Unless you need to remove it with an industrial-style sander and edger, which you can hire, start by cleaning the floor and giving it a light sand so the new coating adheres better. Clean thoroughly afterwards to remove all the dust.

To apply floor varnish, take a wide brush and load it with the varnish, or pour a small amount onto the floor. Start in the furthest corner of the room from the door and brush out the varnish evenly in the direction of the grain. Work as quickly as possible and brush over three to four boards at a time to avoid overlap marks.

Apply the recommended number of coats (following the coverage guide on the tin) and don't apply another coat until the previous one is completely dry. Using a quick-drying floor varnish will make the job much easier, and will enable you to use the room sooner.

If you're using wood oil rather than vanish, start by vacuuming the floor and removing any stains with a damp cloth. Engrained dirt can be removed by gently using a fine nylon scouring pad dipped in floor oil - don't use steel wool or metallic bristles, because these can discolour the wood.

Dampen a clean cloth with methylated spirits and wipe over the floor to remove grease and resin. When the floor is dry, apply the oil with a floor cloth spreader or brush using full-flowing strokes in the direction of the grain. Allow the floor to absorb the oil for 10 to 15 minutes, and then apply another coat, if necessary. Leave the floor to dry for 20 minutes and then polish with a lint-free cloth - the floor should be useable after two to four hours. The number of coats required will depend on how much oil the floor will absorb.

Even if your floor coating dries quickly, don't ruin your hard work by returning your furnishings too soon. Wait at least 24 hours before moving furniture back into the room, and at least seven days before putting rugs on the floor. For more advice, download the Fabulous Floors podcast from the Expert in Your Ear section of www.sadolin.co.uk/homeowners