Earth Finish - Natural Oil Finish for Earthen Floors
Specially formulated natural oil finish for earthen floors that produces a beautiful, rugged, and durable surface on earthwork. Earth Finish is designed to penetrate and seal clay-rich earthen floors, providing lasting protection while enhancing the natural beauty of the earth.
Key Features & Benefits
- Designed for Earthen Floors: Specifically formulated for clay-rich soil, sand, and fiber floor systems
- Deep Penetration: Soaks into earthen surfaces for lasting protection from within
- Ready to Use: Pre-mixed with citrus thinner - no additional thinning needed
- 100% Bio-Based: Made entirely from natural, renewable resources
- Food Safe: Safe formula once fully dry
- LEED Compliant: VOC levels below LEED Certification requirements
- Natural Citrus Solvent: Pleasant scent, safer than petroleum-based thinners
- Matte Finish: Dries to a beautiful natural matte sheen
- Can Be Pigmented: Works with Mixol pigments or other brands of powdered pigments to color earthen floors
- Made in USA: Quality-controlled production by Heritage Natural Finishes
Ideal For
Earthen floors, clay floors, adobe floors, cob floors, rammed earth surfaces, and any natural earth flooring system made from clay-rich soil, sand, and fiber.
About Earthen Floors
Earthen floors are laid as a wet mix of clay-rich soil, sand, and fiber. After drying, these raw floors are sealed with many layers of oil finish and then topped with wax or resin for a durable, beautiful surface. Earth Finish provides the perfect oil base for this traditional flooring system.
Calculating How Much You Need
Use these formulas (provided by earthen floor expert Sukita Crimmel) to calculate materials needed:
For 4 Coats of Earth Finish:
Multiply total square feet by 0.023
Example: 350 sq. ft. × 0.023 = 8.05 gallons needed
For 6 Coats of Earth Finish:
Multiply total square feet by 0.029
Example: 350 sq. ft. × 0.029 = 10.15 gallons needed
For 1 Coat of Liquid Wax Top Coat:
Multiply total square feet by 0.002
Example: 350 sq. ft. × 0.002 = 0.7 gallons needed
Application Instructions
Preparation:
- Earthen floor must be completely dry before sealing (typically 2-4 weeks after installation)
- Surface should be smooth and free of loose material
- Work in well-ventilated area
- Temperature should be between 50-80°F for optimal application
Application Steps:
- Apply First Coat: Pour Earth Finish onto floor and spread evenly with brush, roller, or mop
- Allow Absorption: Let oil soak into earthen surface completely
- Apply Additional Coats: Apply 4-6 coats total over several days, allowing each coat to absorb fully
- No Thinning Required: Earth Finish is ready to use - do not thin
- Drying Time: Allow 24 hours between coats
- Final Cure: After final oil coat, let floor dry for about one week before waxing
Top Coat with Liquid Wax:
- After Earth Finish has cured for one week, apply our Liquid Wax End Sealer
- Apply thin coat with buffer or by hand with cloth
- Buff to beautiful sheen
- This creates a more finished, protective top coat
Adding Color to Earthen Floors
Earth Finish can be pigmented with Mixol universal tinting pastes to color your earthen floor. This allows you to customize the natural brown earth color to your desired shade. Add Mixol gradually and test on a small area first to achieve your preferred color.
Expert Testimonial
"Earthen floors are laid as a wet mix of clay-rich soil, sand, and fiber. After drying, these raw floors are sealed with many layers of linseed oils mixed with thinner and then finished with a wax or resin. The Natural Earth Finish from Heritage Natural Finishes works great for me. It already has citrus thinner in it, which I prefer. I apply many layers until the floor is full and then let it dry for about a week. I then use their Liquid Wax End Sealer, which I apply with a buffer. It's beautiful! I have also been playing around with the pigmented oils; they color the basic brown floor nicely."
- Sukita Crimmel, From These Hands, LLC
Claylin Products for Earthen Floors
We also make special earthen floor oil and wax for Claylin, Inc. called Claylin Oil and Claylin Wax. These products use the same high-quality formulations as Earth Finish and are available through Sukita Crimmel at Claylin, Inc. For more information about oiling earthen floors or to order Claylin products, contact Sukita at 503.957.6132 or visit her website.
Cleanup
To clean up spills, overspray, or brushes, use our Pure Citrus Solvent or another solvent such as turpentine or mineral spirits. Clean tools immediately after use for best results.
Safety Information
- Use in well-ventilated area
- Wear gloves to protect skin
- Keep away from heat and open flames
- Keep out of reach of children and pets
Technical Specifications
- Product: Natural oil finish for earthen floors
- Base: Linseed oil & Tung Oil with natural citrus thinner
- Bio-Based Content: 100%
- VOC Level: Below LEED Certification requirements
- Thinning: Not required - ready to use
- Finish: Natural matte sheen
- Drying Time: 24 hours between coats
- Cure Time: 1 week before waxing
- Food Safe: Yes, once fully dry
- Coverage: See calculation formulas above
- Origin: Made in USA
- Available Sizes: 4oz, Quart, 1 Gallon, 3.5 Gallon, 5 Gallon, and 55 Gallon drums
Complete Earthen Floor System
For best results, use Earth Finish in combination with our Liquid Wax End Sealer. The oil penetrates and protects the earthen surface, while the wax seals and beautifies the top layer. Together, they create a durable, beautiful floor that will last for years.
* Learn all about building Earthen Floors including Oiling from Sukita's book Earthen Floors, 2nd edition.
Why Choose Heritage Earth Finish
Our Earth Finish is trusted by earthen floor specialists and natural builders for its reliable performance and beautiful results. The pre-mixed formula with natural citrus thinner makes application easier and safer than traditional linseed oil and solvent mixtures. With 100% bio-based ingredients and VOC levels below LEED requirements, it's the environmentally responsible choice for sealing earthen floors.
Composition
We disclose ALL ingredients that we use. Heritage Natural Finishes contain NO petroleum products, or metallic drying agents whatsoever! We use only the highest quality ingredients from the most sustainable sources possible. What you see here is what you get. If you have any questions, you can always call us!
Tung Oil
100% pure with no additives. This is the highest quality tung oil available; drying harder and forming a more durable finish than linseed oil alone. Both oils are dryer-free and slightly heat-treated (polymerized).
Special Aged Linseed Oil
Obtained from flax grown in the Red River Valley of the U.S. and Canada. It is purified and refined by natural oxidation and blowing, and dries as clear or clearer than tung oil, with none of the characteristic discoloration that is typical of hardware store varieties. No other finishing oil penetrates as deeply into wood.
Beeswax
Only filtered, chemical and bleach-free white beeswax wax is used. Beeswax adds visual depth of grain, smoothness, and elastic durability. Beeswax forms a skim coat that keeps the finish on the wood, slowing the evaporation of the solvent, which gives the oils more time for absorption.
Pure Citrus Solvent
This is the purest form of citrus turpenes (solvent), extracted from cold-pressed orange peel oil. This is the only solvent used in our finishes, and is also sold separately for thinning product or cleaning up. Pure Citrus Solvent is a safer alternative to mineral spirits, and other harsh solvents and can be used the same way.
Pine Rosin
Gum rosin extracted from pine sap and separated from the turpentine. This is the gum rosin found in heart pine, giving the wood its hardness and durability. We use only top grade, crystal-free, water-white rosin. No synthetic resins are used.