Not many homeowners choose to leave their hardwood floors unfinished, but it's an inexpensive, unique alternative. Nonetheless, knowing how to clean wood floors means ensuring they remain sanitary, whether or not you choose to wait on sanding and finishing treatment until your budget allows. Cleaning untreated wood floors keeps them in good condition, and ensures that they're protected from the wear and tear many finished floors are inherently resilient to. If you decided to finish your floors later, you'll want the stain to bring out the brilliance of the wood grain, not show dents and wear. Choose your cleaner carefully, and avoid using solutions with harsh chemicals like ammonia or petroleum, as these can warp and discolor the surface. Natural cleaners like Murphy® Oil Soap and some mineral spirits safely remove dirt and grime without damaging the beauty of the wood. Keep in mind you can always test a section of the floor with your cleaner to ensure that it's safe to use.

Simply clean a small section in an out-of-the-way space and let it dry. This will let you see the effect of the product without committing to a full clean in case your wood is sensitive. However, mineral spirits and natural formulas are safe to use on unfinished wood floor, so you don't have to wait on cleaning until you install a finish. It is important to avoid using a lot of water when cleaning, so limit the amount left on your mop when you're ready for it to touch your floor. Saturating the floor with water raises the chance of leftover puddles when you're done, leading to warping. Water that seeps beneath the surface can also discolor the wood and affect the grain if you decide to stain your floors later on, although this will depend on the type of finish as explained by the National Wood Flooring Association. If you happen to leave water behind on your floor, use a dried mop to gather it and then wipe the area with paper towel. Unfinished wood floors are an attractive, low-cost way to furnish your home.

By learning how to clean wood floors without these treatments safely, you'll enhance the natural coziness and beauty of the household. This article was brought to you by Colgate-Palmolive Company, the makers of Murphy® Oil Soap. The views and opinions expressed by the author do not reflect the position of the Colgate-Palmolive Company.best rated canister vacuum cleaners 2015 Unfinished hardwood can provide you with a very natural and rustic look in your home. best way to clean vomit from upholsteryWhen you have this type of flooring, you are going to need to make sure that you clean it safely. best way to clean cellular blinds

You want to avoid causing any permanent damage, and many cleaners out there will damage unfinished wood. Here are the basics of how to accomplish this task without compromising your floors. Step 1 - Remove Dirt and Dust Anytime that you have hardwood flooring you are going to have to spend some time regularly removing dirt and dust. air duct cleaning neededYou can use a simple broom and dustpan in most cases, but if you have a vacuum cleaner that works on hard surfaces, this can be a great tool to use as well. best way to clean dryer vent hoseYou are going to want to do this at least once a week but most likely twice a week. vacuum cleaner price bangladeshDirt and dust can build up quickly on wood flooring and you want to get rid of it as quickly as you can.

Step 2 - Use Trisodium Phosphate on Stains If you spill something on the floor that stains the wood, you could try using trisodium phosphate to clean it up. Make sure that you start out with a small amount of the chemical on the stained area. Use a small scrubbing brush to work it deep into the grain. Rinse afterward with a bucket of clean water. You are going to want to wipe up all of the moisture left behind with a clean white rag. Liquid and hardwood flooring do not go together very well and it could lead to problems if you do not dry address it completely. Step 3 - Clean With Mineral Spirits Mineral spirits are something else that you can try on unfinished hardwood floors; it is a good all-around cleaner for flooring. It does not have any harsh chemicals in it that will permanently damage the unfinished hardwood, so you can simply put some on a rag and use it to wipe down the entire area. Sometimes, this will work where other cleaning methods do not. When you are done, you want to make sure not to leave any excess on the wood.

Step 4 - Sand out the Stain Since you are dealing with unfinished hardwood flooring, you do not have to worry about affecting the finish. Because of this, you have an option to simply sand out permanent stains in the wood. Take your sander and go over the stain, paying special attention that you don't work too long in one area. When you are done, clean up the dust and the floor should be back to normal.Unfinished hardwood flooring is difficult to clean. Unfinished hardwood flooring has never been treated with stain or sealers. Often, new owners of older homes rip up aged carpeting only to discover an unfinished floor underneath -- complete with dings, dents and hundreds of carpet staples. Using water or harsh cleaners on these floors will warp the wood or cause discoloration. However, there are three highly effective products that will help to sanitize and clean your unfinished wood flooring -- mineral spirits, white vinegar and Murphy's Oil Soap. Prepping Your Floor for Cleansers Hardwood floors tend to harbor bacteria, dirt and fungi, so sanitizing them is important.

Before using cleansers, remove any raised tacks, nails or carpet staples from the flooring. Sweep or vacuum your floor to get rid of dust and debris. Mineral Spirits Don a respirator and have adequate ventilation when using mineral spirits, as it is toxic when inhaled. It also is highly flammable. Spray mineral spirits on the floor, and rub it in using a non-abrasive scrubbing pad. Wipe up the excess using clean, white rags. Allow the floor to air dry. Mineral spirits will remove any wax that may have been applied to the floor in the past. White Vinegar Combine 1 cup of white vinegar into 1 gallon of warm water. Apply the solution to your floor, using a standard mop, but do not overly moisten the mop. Murphy's Oil Soap Mix 1 tablespoon of Murphy's Oil Soap into half a gallon of warm water. Apply the solution to a small section of flooring, using a standard mop. Do not overly moisten the mop. Dry the moist section, using a clean towel, before moving on to the next section. To remove any residue left over after mopping, combine 1/4 cup of Borax to 1 gallon of warm water.