How do I clean untreated hardwood floors? January 16, 2006   Subscribe How do I clean my untreated hardwood floor?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. 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 Correctionlaptop cooling fan runningNot many homeowners choose to leave their hardwood floors unfinished, but it's an inexpensive, unique alternative. best way to clean resin chairsNonetheless, 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.american air duct cleaning complaints

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. air duct cleaning furnaceNatural cleaners like Murphy® Oil Soap and some mineral spirits safely remove dirt and grime without damaging the beauty of the wood.review best cylinder vacuum cleaner Keep in mind you can always test a section of the floor with your cleaner to ensure that it's safe to use. air duct cleaning experts reviews

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.Traditional mopping with water and soap can damage unsealed wood flooring. Wood floors are usually prized by homeowners for the warm, natural look that they give to any room. However, if your home features unsealed wood flooring, cleaning and maintaining the surface can be a serious challenge. Many of the cleaning products typically recommended for sealed wood flooring can damage unsealed wood floors, so it's important to keep your cleaning routine as simple and gentle as possible to avoid ruining your floors. Don’t Use Water Unlike sealed wood floors, you should never use water to clean unsealed wood flooring. Without a protective coating of polyurethane, urethane or other top coats, the unsealed wood readily absorbs any liquid that is placed on it, which can cause the wood to swell.

As a result, if you use water to clean unsealed wood, you will likely wind up with warped or cracked flooring. For the same reason, you should also avoid using liquid floor or all-purpose cleaners on your unsealed floor as well. Sweep and Vacuum Regularly To keep your unsealed floor clean, it's important to sweep or vacuum regularly. However, because unsealed wood flooring does not have a protective top layer, you must be careful about the tools that you use to clean it. If you prefer sweeping, choose a broom designed for indoor sweeping to avoid unsightly scratches or marks on the wood surface. When choosing a vacuum for your unsealed flooring, opt for a canister model that has an attachment meant for bare floors to avoid damage to the wood. Sweep or vacuum as often as necessary to remove dust and debris from the flooring. Depending on where your unsealed flooring is located, sweeping or vacuuming weekly may be sufficient. If the floor is located in a heavily trafficked area, though, you may need to clean daily.

Treat With Oil Even if you sweep and vacuum your floor regularly, residue may build up on the surface of an unsealed wood floor. While you can't use water or liquid floor cleaners to remove it, treating the floor with a natural oil like linseed or jojoba once a month can help remove surface residue and keep the floor clean. Use a soft rag to apply the oil to the floor and allow it to sit for several minutes. Follow up with a clean, dry mop to buff the oil in and remove any dirt and residue. Wax Between cleanings, you can improve the look of your unsealed wood floor by waxing it. However, it's important to use the right type of wax or you may wind up damaging your flooring. Look for petroleum-based, waterless wax to avoid warping. Apply the wax in a thin, even coat with a clean rag, and allow it to dry for approximately half an hour. Once the wax is dry, you can buff it in with a clean cloth. Unfortunately, that can be a time-consuming process depending on the size of the area that your floor covers.