How to Clean Unfinished Wood Floor (4 Best Methods Of Cleaning)

An unfinished wood floor means a wood floor that is not sealed with wax or any other protecting layer. Although unfinished floors add charm to your house, due to the lack of a protective layer, these floors can get damaged easily. So, it is very important to preserve their perfect condition so they can last for decades.

To keep them in their original condition, you must pay special attention to their cleanliness. Choose an accurate cleaning method that you are sure will not harm your floor.

Here are four methods to clean an unfinished wood floor without damaging it.

how to clean unfinished wood floor

How to Clean Unfinished Wood Floor

People opt the unfinished wood floors to preserve the natural look. As far as possible, you should protect the unfinished wooden floor from dust. Dust particles can enter the wood texture and damage them.

In a routine cleaning, Houses in high-traffic areas should be swept or vacuumed daily, and for houses in low-traffic areas, it is recommended to sweep or vacuum 1 or 2 times a week. Apart from routine cleaning, here are the four best methods of deep cleaning unfinished wood floors.

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1. Cleaning with Vinegar

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

As unfinished wood is very delicate, harsh chemicals can damage the floor. Vinegar is one of the most effective substances for cleaning unfinished wood floors. It also keeps mold and mildew away from the wood floor.

  • Prepare the Cleaning Solution

Follow the following steps to prepare the solution.

  1. Take one cup of Vinegar and pour it into an empty bucket.
  2. Add one gallon of water into the bucket and mix it. You can prepare more solutions if required, but the ratio of Vinegar and water would be the same.
  3. The bucket should be large enough to hold 1 gallon of water easily. The mixture couldn’t fall out of the bucket when dipped the mop.
  • Prepare the Floor

After preparing the solution, clear the floor by removing the furniture and other objects. After clearing, sweep the floor.

  • Vacuum the Floor

It is better to use a vacuum cleaner on the floor. However, this is not obligatory.

  • Use the Solution with Mop

Now it’s time to take the main action. Dip the mop into the bucket, and roll it on the floor. Be careful not to miss any place on the floor. Pay special attention to the area where the stains are.

  • Dry the Floor

After covering the floor with a dipped mop, now let the floor dry. Take care not to step on anyone on the floor while it is wet.

So, that’s how you can clean the unfinished wood floor with Vinegar.


2. TSP Cleaning

Savogran TSP-PF/ TSP Replacement, all-surface cleaner, oil greasy dirt remover, Ideal for Wood and Floor, Clean off Paint and Paint Stripper Sludge, Available with Hand Safety Premium Quality Centaurus AZ Gloves- 1LB

If you have stubborn stains on the floor, Trisodium phosphate (TSP) cleaning solution will get them clean. You can even do it on the entire floor, just like the Vinegar solution. It will not damage the floor.

  • Prepare the TSP Cleaning Solution

Follow the following steps to prepare the solution

  1. Take a large bucket that can easily hold 2 gallons of water.
  2. Take half a cup of TSP powder and put it in the bucket.
  3. Add 2 gallons of hot water into a bucket and mix it.
  • Prepare the Floor

If you want to apply this solution only to the stains, there is no need to remove all items from the floor. But if you want deep cleaning with this solution, clear the floor by removing the furniture and other objects. After clearing, sweep the floor.

  • Use the TSP Solution

While this is a heavy-duty cleaning solution, this will not be applied with a mop-like vinegar solution. You can use a toothbrush to dip the solution on the smaller stain spots. For larger stains, you can use a shoe polish brush.

But, if you want to apply this solution on the entire floor, you will need a mop. After applying this solution to any specific stain spot, scrub that area with a dry towel. It will clear the stain spot quickly.

  • Dry the Floor

If applying this solution using a mop, pause every 10 minutes and use a dry towel to dry the solution so that the wood does not absorb the solution.

TSP is a very powerful cleaning solution that can clear any stubborn stains.


3. Cleaning with Mineral Spirits

Klean Strip Odorless Mineral Spirits Cleans Brushes Rollers Spray Guns Thins Oil Based Paint Non-Flammable No Harsh Fumes Comes with Chemical Resistant Gloves by Centaurus AZ - 1 Qt

Mineral Spirit is very potent in removing the stubborn stains on the unfinished wooden floor. Sprinkle this petroleum-derived liquid on the floor in a small amount and rub it on stains with a microfiber cloth.

Although the mineral spirit is very powerful in cleaning the stains, it is highly toxic. It mixes itself into the room air and can get into your lungs when you breathe. So wear a mask while using it and open the room’s windows for ventilation.

4. Cleaning with Sandpaper

Fandeli Sandpaper Sheets - Multipurpose 80,120, 220 Grit Sandpaper (25 Sheet Pack) - Multipurpose Professional Sandpaper for Wood, Metal, Paint & Plastic - Assorted Sandpaper for All Types of Surfaces

If the previous three methods have failed to remove the stubborn stain from your floor, you can try sandpaper on it. But take care not to rub it too much on the floor. Check while scrubbing and stop as soon as the stain is removed. Excessive scrubbing can damage the texture of the unfinished wooden floor.


How to protect Unfinished Wood Floor

how to clean unfinished wood floor

Since unfinished wood floors don’t have any protective layer, the risk of getting damaged is high. It may be beneficial to take some precautions to avoid damage. Below are some safety precautions. By adopting them, you can save the unfinished wood floor from getting damaged.

  • Sweep and Vacuum

Excessive deep cleaning can also damage the floor. Therefore, cleaning the floor regularly with a broom or vacuum cleaner is better to avoid deep cleaning. You can also use the dust mop to pick up the dust.

  • Use Furniture Pads

The floor can be damaged by friction with furniture. So, use furniture pads so that your floor is not damaged.

  • Use Doormats

Use doormats on the house entrance and the rooms so that the outer mud that sticks to the shoes and comes inside cannot get on the floor.

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Conclusion

Generally, unfinished Wood floors require a lot of care due to the lack of any protective layer on them. You can clean your unfinished wood floor using the methods discussed above.

But, Excessive use of deep cleaning methods is also not good for the unfinished wood floor. Therefore, you should adopt traditional cleaning methods daily, so you don’t have to overdo deep cleaning.

how to clean unfinished wood floor

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