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How to clean bare wood floors


10 Tips For Maintaining Unfinished Wood Flooring » ESB Flooring

Unfinished wood flooring, especially oak, has become increasingly popular over the years. Why? Because if you want to invite a bit of nature into your home, you leave the floors in their natural state.

Unfinished floors are pretty impressive, and they help create a warm and welcoming atmosphere in your home.

Nevertheless, unfinished wood floors come with some specific requirements. If you want your floor to last long, and look good, then you kinda’ have to follow some maintenance rules.

Wooden floors, finished or unfinished, are a long-term investment. If carefully maintained, they can last a lifetime.

Well, first and foremost, finished wood floors are usually covered with a lacquer or oil finish.

Finished wood floors, like oak, might fade over time. They are also more susceptible to signs of wear. So, no matter what finish you’ve chosen, it would be good to refresh them from time to time. Revive the boards, give them a new finish.

There are a couple of good maintenance oils that you can use. If you see some serious marks on the floor, we recommend you sand them away. After that, apply a new coat of finish.

Pre-finished wood floors have been pre-finished before installation. So, before they arrive at your door, a specific stain or sealant has been already added to them. However, it might prove quite challenging to determine the product applied initially. This will also make it difficult to finish your floors again in the future.

Unfinished oak flooring is more natural and raw. You can order it like that and apply a finish of your own later. Or, you can keep it unfinished.

Nevertheless, either finished, pre-finished or unfinished, wood flooring needs careful maintenance. This will make your floor last longer and look great in the process.

So, always make sure you sweep the floor frequently to prevent dust from accumulating—vacuum regularly.

7 General Maintenance Tips

These are some general tips that everyone can follow to keep their wooden floors in good condition.

1. Make use of floor protector pads

Install floor protector pads on the bottom of all your furniture legs to avoid unnecessary scratches.

Moreover, you should consider placing rugs at all entrances. They keep the dirt and grit at the door and help absorb some of the moisture.

2. Take Rugs out Regularly

You should take the rugs out and clean them thoroughly regularly. Moreover, whenever they get too wet, get them outside and dry them.

3. Move the rugs around

Keeping rugs in the same place for an extended period could cause colour differences.  So, it could prove an excellent idea to try and reorganize your living spaces regularly. This way, you can avoid different floor shading.

4. Mind the humidity

Solid hardwood floors might shrink, leaving gaps between the boards. To minimize this occurrence, consider controlling the humidity levels in the house.

5. Trim your dog’s nails regularly

This might sound weird but listen carefully. Pets, especially large dogs, can cause a lot of scratching to the floors just by walking on them. Not to mention that at times, they also like to run and jump around. They’re cute, and we also love them.

However, to protect your wooden floors, we recommend trimming their nails regularly to avoid any accidents.

6. Mind the spill areas

You should pay attention to the usual spill areas. Check your dishwashers, sink and radiators for any potential leaks.

House plants are frequently ignored. It is an excellent practice to double-pot them. Or simply put a small plastic blate below the flower pots.

7. Avoid wearing shoes in the house

If possible, avoid wearing shoes in the house or at least don’t wear them all the time. This small action can make a big difference in the long term.

In general, you should adopt a regular cleaning and maintenance routine. It is not as complicated as it sounds.

The first step is to keep the floor dust, dirt and grit away through regular vacuuming. Always use the soft bristle setting so that the vacuum head doesn’t scratch the floor.

The second step of your routine should be mopping. Make sure you use eco-friendly floor cleaners and never clean with too much water. The mop should be damp.

10 Specific Tips for Unfinished Wood Floor Maintenance

So, here are 10 tips for maintaining unfinished wood flooring.

1. Be gentle

Unfinished wood floors require a bit more gentleness. Remember that they are not covered with any layer that could guarantee a degree of protection.

So, you should not clean them with any sharp or abrasive objects. The floor is more delicate and prone to damages, and you can very quickly leave marks or scratches.

2. Use a damp cloth

You should use less soap and water than you’d typically do on a finished wood floor. Soap and water can really damage the wood. The excess moisture will easily get in between the boards.

Use only damp cloths made from delicate fabric, if possible.

3. Avoid wet-mopping

If you have large wood floors to clean, we recommend you use a moist microfiber mop. Use a spray bottle of water to mist your floors, and then wipe them clean with the moist microfiber mop. In this way, you will avoid any problems with humidity.

Regular mops can leave a lot of water on the floor. So, avoid wet-mopping.

4. Choose the right wood care products

Make sure you use floor cleaners that are suitable for untreated floors. There are many different wood flooring cleaning products on the market, and it’s pretty tricky to choose the products you need. Nevertheless, only in this way can you get a great result and protect your floors.

So, stay away from cleaning products for finished wood floors. They can stain the unfinished wood flooring.

5. Gently sand the stained area

When facing stubborn stains, it might be better to sand the given area. Sanding is a suitable method of removing stains, but do not use it too often.

6. Vacuuming

Vacuum your unfinished wood floor at least once a week. Regular vacuuming helps remove dust and dirt particles. These particles could really scratch the floor. In time, they will dull its surface.

7. Avoid floor soaking at any costs

If you need to remove some hard stains, make sure you only wet-mop that area. Do not soak the entire wood floor in water at the same time.

8. Try to avoid spills as much as possible

Spills are probably the worst nightmare of a homeowner who decided to install unfinished wood floors in his house. So, make sure you remove spills right after they’ve occurred. Clean them up immediately using a soft cloth to avoid the permanent soiling of your floors.

9. Get some sturdy doormats or rugs

Mats and rugs represent a great type of preventive care for your unfinished wood floors.

Buy some high-quality doormats and place them at all entrances, both outdoor and indoor. Make sure they are absorbent. Moreover, ensure they are cleaned regularly.

This way, you will prevent dirt and grit from getting into the house. Encourage your friends and family to use the doormats and even take their shoes off indoors.

10. Clean the floor before moving the furniture

Moving furniture can cause a lot of problems for any type of wooden floor. However, sometimes we need to do that at times, right?

So, before you move the furniture, remember to clean your wood floors as much as possible. In this way, you will prevent scratches and dents caused by the sand or grit trapped underneath the furniture or appliances.

Use a clean piece of carpet. Place it under the given piece of furniture to protect the unfinished wood floor in the process.

In conclusion, wooden floors can last you a lifetime, but not without adequately taking care of them.

So, keep in mind all these tips and take care of your unfinished or pre-finished wooden floors. In time, if you want, you can add your finish of choice to them. Just make sure they’re in good condition over the years.

How to Clean Unfinished Wood Floor Without Damaging Them (4 Easy Steps)

Unfinished wood flooring has its very own charm. It adds a natural aesthetic to any place like no other flooring option. As it doesn’t have a protective layer of wax or any other finishing, you need to be very diligent about cleaning the unfinished wood floor. 

To clean unfinished wood floors, start by removing all the dust and debris. If possible, clear out the furniture or any other objects. Prepare a cleaning solution that is safe for unfinished wood floors. Dampen a microfiber cloth or mop using the solution and start mopping along the grain of the wood.  

Regularly cleaning your wood floor will keep it sparkly for decades. Let’s get into more details on how to clean unfinished wood floors without damaging them in four easy steps.

Table of Contents

How to Tell If Your Wood Floor is Unfinished?

How to Tell If Your Wood Floor is Unfinished

Simply put, unfinished wood flooring is the raw material. The wood is turned into planks to create unfinished or untreated hardwood floors. In contrast, a finished hardwood flooring has a protective layer or seal of polyurethane, hard-wax oil, oil sealer, or even aluminum oxide.

The unfinished wood flooring does not have this protective layer, so it is highly vulnerable to moisture. There are various ways to tell whether your hardwood is appropriately sealed or not –

  1. Place a few drops of water on your wooden floor and wait a few minutes. If the water beads up, you have a protective layer. If not, you have unsealed hardwood floors.
  2. Take some fine steel wool and rub an inconspicuous area of your floor. The floor is sealed with wax if you find a gray film on the steel wool.
  3. Contact the installer or a professional to help you find out if your hardwood is sealed and the type of seal you have.

How to Clean Unfinished Wood Floor?

How to Clean Unfinished Wood Floor

Step 1: Sweep or vacuum the floor thoroughly

Dirt and grime build-up can be a major hurdle to cleaning wood floors. Keeping dirt and debris off the floor is key. Dust particles act like sandpaper when you step on them and scratch the surface. They can also get into the wood textures and damage them. It is recommended to sweep or vacuum high traffic areas daily. You can also run your Roomba in places like the kitchen, dining area, family living, etc. You can run the vacuum or sweep once or twice a week in fewer traffic areas. 

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Dirt Devil Endura Reach Bagless Upright Vacuum Cleaner, UD20124, Red

After the daily sweep using a broom, you can use a dry mop or dust mop to pick up any remaining dirt if you are not going to follow up with mopping. You can also run dry (microfiber cloths) to clean up the fine dust that the broom hasn’t picked up. Make sure you use a soft-bristled broom and, of course, move with the grain when cleaning. Use the hard floor setting on your vacuum to avoid scratching the wood with the brush roll.  

1 Set Of Soft Bristled Broom And Dustpan Combination Cleaning Sweeping Broom Thickened Floor Cleaning Tool

Step 2: Prepare vinegar solution 

As unsealed wood is fairly delicate, cleaners with harsh chemicals are not recommended. Avoid using any detergent or soap that can damage the wood surface. Many professional cleaners prefer homemade vinegar-based cleaners for cleaning unsealed wood. Vinegar’s slightly acidic pH disinfects and cuts through grimes and oil. It also leaves a streak-free shiny finish. 

Lucy’s Family Owned – Natural Distilled White Vinegar, 1 Gallon (128 oz) – 5% Acidity (White Vinegar, Gallon)

Step 3: Prepare the area

Before moving on to mopping, remove any portable object from the floor that will make it challenging for you to clean the floor. Remember that the more edges and corners you have around the room, the higher the chances of debris getting stuck. Remove the furniture if possible. Lastly, block the entrances around the house to stop children or pets from stepping on the damp floor.  

Step 4: Use a damp mop to clean the floor

For the best mopping result on your wood floor, keep five key things in mind –

  1. Use a damp mop, not wet
  2. Use a flat microfiber mop or microfiber twist mop
  3. Mop in an “S” pattern
  4. Dry the floor quickly by either using a ceiling fan or microfiber cloth
  5. Mop along the grain of the wood

Prepare your mopping solution and soak the mop head in the bucket for a few minutes to soften. Put the mop in the wringer and twist until almost dry. If you are using a flat head mop, slide it against the dryer at least 3 to 4 times. Start mopping from a corner using an “S” shaped pattern and sweep your way out of the room. 

When mopping a large area, divide the floor into sections for the best result. To be extra diligent, you can take a microfiber cloth and do a quick wipe down, so no water is left behind. You can also turn on the ceiling fan to dry the floors. Change the water once it becomes dirty. A quick rule of thumb is to change the water once you can’t see the bottom of the bucket. Rinse and re-dampen the mop often to avoid streaks. 

You should mop high-traffic areas at least once or twice a week. For less-trafficked floors, you can get away with mopping once per month or once a season. Avoid mopping against the grain for the best results. 

Can You Mop Unfinished Wood Floor?

Can You Mop Unfinished Wood Floor

You can mop an unfinished wood floor using a damp microfiber mop and a natural cleaner. Make sure to dry the floor completely afterward to prevent any moisture-caused damage. You can use a dry microfiber cloth for a quick wipe down. Clean a single section at a time and dry it before moving on to the next. Never use wet mops to clean unfinished wood as it is incredibly vulnerable to moisture and might cause warping. It is also recommended to mop unfinished wood floors less often.

How to Protect Unfinished Wood Floor

How to Protect Unfinished Wood Floor

Sweep and vacuum regularly

The untreated wood floor might get damaged from deep cleaning or mopping too often, so keep dust and debris away from it as much as possible by cleaning without getting it wet. It is recommended to sweep and vacuum high traffic areas daily. You can clean less trafficked areas once or twice a week. You can also use a static dust mop to pick up specks of dust and other particles off the floor.

Use furniture pads

The bottom of your furniture can scratch up the wood and damage them. Use a furniture pad to limit damage from movements of the furniture.

Use doormats

Doormats absorb dust and dirt and keep the floors clean for longer. They also trap soil from shoes which can scratch up the wooden surface. Use doormats in all entrances to the house and in high-traffic areas. You can also place rugs and runners in areas prone to spills and water drops, such as the kitchen or in front of the bathrooms.

Clean up spills immediately

Never leave wet or sticky spills on any wooden surfaces. Wipe up spills immediately using a damp cloth and dry the area.

Spot clean wherever possible

Resort to spot cleaning instead of deep cleaning to protect your wooden floor. It helps delay the cleaning day and keeps your floors cleaner for longer without the need to mop them.

How to Make Unfinished Wood Floor Shine?

Usually, the seal of hardwood gives it the shine. However, you can treat your unfinished wood floor with oil or wax to make it shiny. Also, it removes the residual layer of dirt and grime from the floor.

Treat it with oil

Natural oils such as linseed or jojoba are great options to add a natural shine to the floor and loosen up grime and dirt. Use a soft rug or microfiber cloth to apply the oil on the floor and let it sit for 15 minutes. Buff the oil using a dry mop and remove any remaining dirt and grime.

Apply wax

Choose a petroleum-based, waterless wax and apply it using a soft rug. Let the wax dry on the floor for half an hour, and then buff it using a clean cloth. You can also use a buffing machine to save time.

How to Deep Clean Unfinished Wood Floor?

How to Deep Clean Unfinished Wood Floor

Regardless of how often you clean your wood flooring, you will need to do a deep cleaning every once in a while. It’s best to use waterless solutions for deep cleaning the unfinished wood floor. The most effective ways to deep clean unfinished wood floor are –

Using mineral spirit

Mineral spirit is a petroleum-derived liquid that is highly potent at removing hard stains from hardwood. Sprinkle a small amount of the solution on the floor and gently rub it using a microfiber cloth. Make sure to remove any excess liquid from the floor.

Although it is powerful in cleaning tough stains, the mineral spirit is highly toxic. It vaporizes at room temperature, which you can inhale when working with them. Wear a mask for protection and ensure enough ventilation in the room while using mineral spirit.

U.S. Art Supply Odorless Mineral Spirits Thinner, 125ml / 4.2 Fluid Ounce Container

Using trisodium phosphate

Trisodium phosphate is a crystallized powder that you can find at any local hardware or home improvement store. To clean the wood floor using it, sprinkle a small amount on the floor and scrub gently using a soft-bristled brush. 

When the floor is clean, remove excess product using warm water and dry the area using a clean towel or microfiber cloth.

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Savogran 10621 Trisodium Phosphate (TSP) 1LB (16oz) – 2 Pack

Using sandpaper

If your floor has a stubborn stain that the previous two methods failed to tackle, you can sand the area with fine sandpaper. However, do not apply excess pressure when sanding the wood. Check often to see if the stain is removed. Avoid excessive sanding to prevent splintering and damage to the wood. Use a soft-bristled angle broom or vacuum cleaner to clean up the area.

120 To 3000 Assorted Grit Sandpaper for Wood Furniture Finishing, Metal Sanding and Automotive Polishing, Dry or Wet Sanding, 9 x 3.6 Inch, 36-Sheet

Knowing how to maintain and clean unsealed wood floors is crucial in preserving their perfect condition and making them last for decades. Do you have any questions about cleaning the unfinished wood floor? Comment below and let us know! 

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How to clean a wooden floor

Introduction

Contamination of a wooden floor is a common occurrence, even among the most clean owners. There are several ways to clean a wooden floor, depending on the type of dirt. We will try to solve any possible problem.

Wooden floors are just as susceptible to dirt as other types of flooring

Preparation

To ensure that the washing procedure is not done in vain, first wipe all the dust on the furniture standing on this floor, vacuum, and then remove the carpet, if there is one, and carefully shake it out. Next, the surface itself needs to be vacuumed, but before that, remove large objects from the surface that can scratch the tree. We are talking about nails, screws.

First, wooden floors should be vacuumed.

How to properly wash a painted floor

If the floor does not have any serious dirt and the washing procedure is “ordinary”, then ammonia or vinegar should be diluted in warm water. At the same time, observe the proportion: no more than one tablespoon of ammonia (or vinegar) is required per liter of water. We do not tear off the mop from the surface, but we carry out movements like sailors on deck - with the “eight”.

Mopping the floors - "ordinary" procedure

When you wash the floor with this solution, you can rub it using linseed oil. This will give the surface a shine. For shine, use a solution diluted as follows: 60 ml of table vinegar, a tablespoon of liquid for glossing wooden furniture, 2 liters of water.

How to properly clean an unpainted floor

To clean a normal wooden floor without painting, you need to dissolve a little soap or alkali in warm water. It is wiped with such a solution and carefully rubbed with a brush with a hard bristle. Warm water with washing powder or baking soda is also perfect. Three tablespoons of soda are required per liter of water. A bare broom or root brush can be used as a wiping tool.

Soapy water is great for bare floors

If there are serious stains on the surface, then abrasive methods can be used to remove them, which are unacceptable in the case of a painted floor. So, first wipe it with a hard-bristled brush, then make a solution of sand and lime (in a ratio of 3 to 1) and rub the floor with it. Wash off the solution with warm water. If the spots still remain, then use white clay or wet sulfur. Apply it on the spots and leave overnight. Wash off with warm water in the morning.

Grease stains on unpainted floors are removed with gasoline, then sprinkled with starch and ironed through a napkin. You can also make a solution that will include white clay, gray clay and vinegar. Cover the stain with this solution and leave overnight. In the morning, rinse the surface with warm water.

Removing various dirt

Now let's look at how to remove various dirt from the floor surface.

Black stripes

Everyone seems to know about the ability of shoes with black rubber soles to "draw" on the surface of linoleum, wooden floors, etc. This is the only significant drawback of such shoes leads to black marks, which cannot be washed off with conventional methods. Do not rush to get upset, because such black paint does not penetrate deep into the tree, but remains only on the surface.

If the strip is thin and barely noticeable, try wiping it with a dry cloth or the same sock. If you have laminate or parquet (linoleum can also be added here), then pick up a tennis ball and wipe all unnecessary stains. The method works "with a bang"! Finally, everything that could not be removed by the previous methods can be removed in the last step: pour a little baking soda onto the mop, then wipe the strips with it. You should not lean heavily on the mop, as you can leave scratches on the floor. After that, rinse the soda from the surface with water and wipe dry.

Dark spots near the front door

Over time, one way or another, a thick layer of dirt accumulates near the front door, resulting in dark spots. You will need to do a wet cleaning. By the way, it is best to forget about a mop with a wet rag right away, since the wooden floor does not like such care. The Pronto tool for wood does its job well. Apply it to the dirty area, take a microfiber cloth and gently wipe the dirt. After the time allotted for the surface to dry, repeat these steps until the dirt is completely removed. At the end, don't forget to treat the floor with a special protective agent, giving it a much-needed shine.

Pronto is great for stains on wood floors

Sticky substances on the surface

At first glance, removing chewing gum, resin, paint or plasticine from the floor is very difficult. They themselves, as you know, will not go anywhere, and solvents will not help you in any way. The first thing to do is to put some ice in the bag and put it on the place of contamination. When chewing gum or any other sticky substance freezes, then scraping them off with a spatula is not difficult.

Cold can be used to get rid of sticky substances on the floor

Speaking of paint drops on a wooden floor, take a cotton pad, pour some alcohol on it and press it against the stain. Next, you will need to pick up the same spatula and clean the surface of cracked paint. If it doesn't help, use baking soda, as in the case of black shoe stripes (read above).

Moisture stains

Water may leave streaks (stains). This is due to the presence of various minerals in its composition. Without going into chemistry, we can say that the harder the water, the higher the likelihood that it will leave stains on the floor. You need to dissolve the minerals remaining on the surface, then scrape them off with a spatula. But be careful, because you can damage the floor.

"Moisture" spots

If you have a small child or pets at home, you are not immune from a possible "accident" of the urethra. Urine has the property of discoloring the surface of the floor. But this, as you understand, is not so bad, because penetrating into the tree, it will “give” you an unpleasant smell. This happens when it hits the surface not for the first time, but is removed out of time.

A small child can cause “moisture” on the floor

Act immediately if you find this. Wipe the area of ​​the floor with a paper towel or paper towel, then use a cloth soaked in a solution of water and cleaning agent. Next, pour some rubbing alcohol on a piece of cloth and wipe the remaining stain. Remember that household chemical stores sell special products to remove this kind of pollution. In the event that the stains were found too late, you will have to reapply a layer of paintwork material to the surface. If this does not help, or for some reason cannot be carried out, then the straps soaked with urine will have to be replaced.

Crayon stains

Your child may leave wax crayons on the floor. To prevent the occurrence of such, it is recommended to buy easily washable crayons for children. Otherwise, if there are already stains from crayons, then dilute the toothpaste in warm water, then use a rag to apply the resulting solution to the place of contamination. After there are no traces of chalk on the floor, you will need to remove the remnants of toothpaste. Wipe the surface dry. By the way, if you accidentally stepped on the crayon and crushed it on the surface, then proceed according to the method of removing chewing gum and other sticky stains.

Toothpaste will help get rid of crayon stains

Proper care

At least a couple of times a month you need to thoroughly vacuum and wipe the surface. In those places where they will walk a lot, you need to lay paths, large and small carpets. Dirt and sand are very dangerous for a wooden floor as they can scratch it. Therefore, the brush for the vacuum cleaner should be chosen as softly as possible. As soon as even a drop of food gets on the floor, remove it immediately, even despite the various protective solutions that cover the surface. Wipe it off with a damp cloth, then dry with a dry towel.

You should not leave water or other liquids on the floor, because, again, even if it is covered with a water-repellent layer, moisture can penetrate the wood in a roundabout way and begin to destroy it. Soon there will be curvature between the boards and, possibly, squeaks will appear.

Do not wear street shoes on wooden floors. When you get home, take off your shoes and put on slippers with soft soles. Make sure that there are no sharp objects scattered over the surface that can leave scratches on it.

Conclusion

Now you know how to clean a wooden floor from any dirt, and what should be followed for proper care of such a surface.