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.Unfinished hardwood flooring is difficult to clean. Unfinished hardwood flooring has never been treated with stain or sealers. truck mount air duct cleaning equipment for saleOften, 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. what does dryer vent cleaning costUsing water or harsh cleaners on these floors will warp the wood or cause discoloration. best pet canister vacuum cleaner

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. quality air duct cleaning llcIt also is highly flammable. vacuum cleaner price philippinesSpray mineral spirits on the floor, and rub it in using a non-abrasive scrubbing pad. small vacuum cleaner price in pakistan

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. Again, apply to small sections of the floor, wiping the floor dry with a clean towel. Protecting Your Floor After Cleaning Use a paste wax on your floor after cleaning and sanitizing it. Wax helps to protect your wood floor and prolong its beauty. Rub the wax onto your floor in a clockwise motion. Allow it to dry for a few minutes before buffing it to a shine, using a floor buffer.

Floor buffers can be rented at your local home improvement store. References Construction A2Z: Sanitizing Your Unfinished Hardwood FloorClean Your Hardwood Floor: Hardwood Floor Cleaner for Untreated FloorsWood Floor Doctor: Ask the Expert: Using Odorless Mineral Spirit to Clean Old Waxed Floors Photo Credits Jupiterimages/Goodshoot/Getty Images Suggest a CorrectionYour hardwood floor looks beautiful. And it makes your whole home feel inviting. But the stains keep piling up. Every bit of moisture dropped on the floor sinks into the untreated wood and leaves a mark. To restore your floors to their former glory, reach for the mineral spirits and go to work. Before you apply anything to your floor, you want to make sure you’ve gotten as much of the dust and dirt away from it as possible. Sweeping with a broom or static dust mop is the best way to get all those little dust bunnies away from your precious wood. Vacuums also work, if you’re certain you’ve got a dedicated hardwood floor setting.

Without one, your vacuum could scratch your floor even before you’ve started cleaning it. Once the floor is nice and dust-free, it’s time to gather your cleaning supplies. In case you’re unfamiliar, mineral spirits are a type of solvent used by painters for decades to clean brushes. They have all sorts of uses throughout manufacturing, machinery, and various industries. They’re also known as white spirits. And, while they’re safer than many of their fellow petroleum distillates and turpentine, they can still be hazardous. This is where the respirator comes in. Mineral spirits can cause light-headedness and toxicity. So it’s always important to keep the room very well ventilated by opening windows and turning on ventilation systems. It is also extremely flammable, so avoid any open flames or sparks. Wear gloves whenever handling mineral spirits, since they can irritate skin. If you do get some on you, wash the area well with soap and water. If you become nauseated or dizzy at any point, get away from the fumes immediately.

Since you’ll be crawling on the floor for this next part, if your knees start to hurt, put on the knee pads. Now that we know what we’re using and how to use it safely, we’ll get started cleaning. You can spray the mineral spirits directly onto the floor, or dampen your pad or cloth before applying it to the floor. Once you have it applied, rub it into the floor with your pad or cloth, making sure the pad or cloth you’ve chosen isn’t too abrasive on the wood’s surface. You should notice that it will begin to remove any stains or wax that have built up on your floor. Once they’ve done their job you can easily wipe up the excess with clean, white cloths before letting the area air dry. Now that you’ve cleaned the floor, you’re left with a mess of used pads or rags. We already know they’re flammable, so you have to be careful how to dispose of them. The safest method is to place them into a sealable, metal container like a paint can and fill it with water.