How Do You Clean Unsealed Wood Floors?

Cleaning is an essential task, and it can go on smoothly only if one uses the correct product and method to do it. Following a simple cleaning procedure can help reduce the work, time, and effort used. It is vital to know the type of products that are meant to clean different surfaces or materials. Maintaining a clean and attractive unsealed wood floor is a job that requires a lot of care to protect the wood from being damaged. You can also avoid adding the extra cost of repairing, refurbishing, or in the worst cases replacing the flooring. Unsealed wood can easily be damaged by dirt, moisture, humidity, and scratches, and the wood is already vulnerable to environmental conditions due to the lack of a protective seal coat. Nonetheless, there is good news for homeowners who have an unsealed wooden floor. Maintaining the floor can be easy as long as you clean it well regularly to give a beautiful natural look. Using water or large amounts of liquids to clean an unsealed floor is highly discouraged, to prevent the wood from absorbing the water, and getting damaged. Knowing if the floor is sealed or not will assist to choose the right products and strategies to use.

How to test if your floors are sealed

There are several ways to test if your floors are sealed or not, and to test if the seal is ruined. You can use a simple procedure of placing some drops of water on the wooden floor preferably on a hidden corner. If the water is not absorbed after a few minutes, this will simply mean that the floor is sealed. However, if the water is absorbed, this will indicate that the floor is unsealed or the seal has been damaged, paving a way to determining which method of cleaning should be applied. According to flooringday.com if your floor is unsealed, you can use different procedures to seal it yourself. Unlike sealed flooring, unsealed woods lack a protective layer. This makes it easier for unsealed flooring to accommodate grime, dust, and dirt, among other kinds of debris brought from outside. Sealed wood floors are easier to clean with water. On the other hand, water that gets through the beams of unsealed floors can ruin them.

Steps to clean unsealed wood floors

A lot has been said on what to use or not when cleaning wood. Many products are made to specifically clean wood floors, according to today.com. It is essential to understand the products before trying them on your wooden floor. Read about the quantity to be used, and if it’s the first time trying to use the product, test it on a small section of wood or seek advice from the dealer before using them on your wooden flooring.

Sweeping and vacuuming

You should sweep and vacuum your wood flooring regularly. The frequency of cleaning hardwood flooring is determined by where it is situated. It is necessary to sweep or vacuum flooring located in high traffic areas. Use a good hardwood floor vacuum cleaner to eliminate the dirt. Choose a bare flooring tool or crevice tool to clean tight spaces to prevent damage. If you would rather sweep the floor, use a sweeping mop that is not abrasive. This way, you will avoid unsightly scratches or marks on the wooden surface.

Use oil to treat unsealed hardwood floors

Even if you vacuum and sweep your flooring often, residue can build up on its surface. It would help if you treat your floor with a natural oil such as jojoba or linseed once a month. This can eliminate residue from the surface and keep the floor in tip-top condition. Use a soft rage to apply the oil on the unsealed hardwood floor and allow it to sit for several minutes. After that, use a dry mop to polish the floor.

Natural cleaning

According to floorcarekits.com, it is not advisable to clean unsealed wood flooring using water daily because they can suck in excess water, leading to damage. Natural cleaning is better. You can make a natural cleaning solution using any of the following:

• 2 spoons of white vinegar and 1 gallon of water
• Half a lemon and 1 gallon of water
• 1 spoon of baking powder and a gallon of water

Mineral spirits such as cyclo-propane and paraffin

Deep cleaning your flooring occasionally is also vital. Deep cleaning (weekly/monthly) will require the use of a vacuum cleaner that will assist you in cleaning hidden areas that were hard to reach or touch during the daily cleaning routine. A wet mop can also be used to clean these areas. However, you need to squeeze the water well from the mop to avoid wetting the wood. Water can damage the floor. Therefore, avoid using it if possible, although, if unavoidable clean small sections at a time and dry the surface with a dry piece of cloth. You can clean the floor using any recommended product based on your preferences. The right products are not too harsh for the wood.

Ways to protect your unsealed wood floors

It is essential to protect the unsealed wooden floor so that it does not get damaged. Therefore, if your floor is unsealed, it is highly advisable to plan on sealing it. The seal will protect the wood and if you will find it easier to clean the flooring.

The following steps to guide you protect unsealed wood floors.

• Create a habit of removing shoes before you enter the house. Encourage your family and friends to do the same when they come into the house.
• Use mats at the entrance to clean the shoes before entering the house. The mats will trap the dust and soil particles from outside.
• Avoid spilling fluids such as water on the floor. Wood can absorb water and it can bend. , water is easily absorbed into the wood causing damages to the wooden floor. Ensure you quickly clean the floor once a spill happens.
• Cover playing areas where children or pets use, such as dogs love to pull and play a lot with their toys and in turn, they might scratch the floor, covering their playing area helps to protect the wood from scratches.
• During the rainy season create a space where shoes can be placed, put mats, or a cover that will easily absorb the water.
• Avoid dragging and pulling things on the floor like seats, and tables, among others. This will help to secure the wood from scratches.
• Be cleaning your pets, feet after a walk to remove any particles that might scratch your floor.

Be friendly to the wood floor

Being friendly means take good care of your wood floor, sealed or unsealed giving it the best treatment it deserves regularly will ensure it lasts longer, giving a natural look, and maintains its beauty. According to this site, all these can be achieved, you can maintain unsealed floors by treating them but only if you have no plans of ever sealing the wood.

The bottom line

Wood floors are a good investment but having unsealed wood can cost you more, have a plan of sealing them and save yourself the trouble of high maintenance. If you are considering getting wood floors for your home, for a more natural taste take a step now and get it done. Make sure you understand the type of wood to select and how to maintain and care for the floor.