While unsealed wood floors can greatly benefit the looks of your home, cleaning these surfaces is a complicated task that can seem daunting to even the most experienced homeowners.
However, if you know what you’re doing and have the right tools, you can leave your wooden floors spotless! Keep reading to learn how.
Step #1. Sweep and clear the floor
One thing that doesn’t change when cleaning any floor is that you must sweep it before treating any grime or stains. However, unlike other floors, unsealed wood floors can get quite scratched.
So, before sweeping, pick up the things on the floor that could get in the way. You can also use a microfiber dust mop or a vacuum cleaner to reach every nook and cranny.
Step #2. Prepare your dish soap cleaner
While store-bought cleaners are the first choice of many homeowners for any task, harsh chemicals are not the best choice for unsealed floors.
So, for this process, fill a bucket with water and a splash of mild dish soap. This solution is strong enough to clean the wood without damaging the floors.
So, are store-bought cleaners completely off the table?
You can find many recommendations for commercial wooden floor cleaners. Still, most will only work for sealed floors and can leave the wood stained if it’s unprotected. So, if you try a store-bought cleaner, spot-test it on a small floor area first.
Step #3. Mop the floor
After getting your DIY cleaner (or tested commercial product), grab your mop and dip it into the bucket with your solution—just wring it to remove the excess water that could make the wood swell.
Then, simply mop the floor! Doing so works better if you mop in the direction of the wood grain to avoid dirt from getting caught in the ridges or slits. Also, cleaning the floor in small sections and dry mopping afterward works best to prevent water from being absorbed by the wood.
How to get rid of stubborn stains
If you’re dealing with stains that refuse to come off with the sweeping and mopping, here are a few things you can try:
- For soot stains: You just need a dry cleaning sponge to wipe away the stain. Then, simply mop the spots again.
- For sticky spots: Things like gum, adhesive, or other sticky substances can be removed by using ice to harden the residue and removing it with a plastic scraper or plastic blade.
- For most other stains: Using mineral spirits and a clean cloth to wipe the tough spots should work for most anything else—just remember to use rubber gloves and ventilate the area.
Can I use a steam mop?
Using a steam mop may seem like an easy choice, but it’s never a good idea when it comes to unsealed floors. Since these devices rely both on heat and moisture, they will do more harm than good to the wood.
Let us help clean the rest of the house!
Are you tired after cleaning your floor? Maids In A Minute can help you deal with the rest of your chores so you can have more time to rest! Schedule your service and let our experts leave your home spotless.
