Unfinished hardwood floors possess a rustic and natural appearance that brings a piece of the forest into your Albuquerque home. However, they require more maintenance than finished hardwood floors. Cleaning and caring for them demands a bit more effort. Despite this, it is still worth considering unfinished hardwood flooring.
Following the tips below should get on you on the road to taking care of your unfinished flooring.
Daily Cleaning Away of Dirt Is Imperative
It’s important to recognize that dirt will inevitably make its way into your home, despite your best efforts to prevent it. As a result, it’s necessary to clean your unfinished hardwood floors more frequently than once a week. Neglecting to do so can result in a buildup of dirt and grime that can be difficult to remove, potentially damaging the floors over time. Regular cleaning, using appropriate cleaning products and techniques, is essential to maintaining the integrity and appearance of your hardwood floors.
You need to brush away dirt, debris, and other elements on the unfinished flooring every single day using a broom, a static mop cleaner, or a vacuum.
To prevent scratches and stains on your hardwood floors, it’s important to keep dirt particles away. Unfinished flooring is porous and absorbs everything, making it more susceptible to staining. To avoid this, finishing products can be used to provide a protective layer and reduce the risk of staining.
Always use a soft-bristled brush to clean your floors since they can get scratched in an instant, and then you will have to sand them down to get them perfect again.
Do Not Sand in One Place for Too Long
The problem with sanding your unfinished floors is that too many people end up sanding in one spot for too long and that damages floors faster than you can say ‘I’m done’.
If you have a particularly tough stain, you will want to sand it down. Sand for just a few minutes; don’t go mercilessly sanding your unfinished flooring for half an hour.
Sanding should only be reserved for tough stains on unfinished flooring. For lighter stains, Trisodium Phosphate is an effective solution for removal.
To remove stains from unfinished hardwood floors, apply a small amount of the cleaning solution to the affected area. Use a soft bristle brush to gently scrub the region, and then rinse with a small amount of water. It is important to immediately clean up any excess water using a dry towel to prevent moisture from sitting on the floor.
Don’t forget to use a broom to remove all the dust generated after sanding your hardwood floors.
Use The Correct Products
It’s important to avoid using products meant for finished flooring on unfinished floors in order to ensure the longevity of your flooring. Doing so is a common mistake that can lead to premature wear and tear. Even if it seems like a last resort, it’s best to use products specifically designed for unfinished floors.
Always have products meant for unfinished hardwood floors in your home at the ready. These would be:
Vinegar
You might never have imagined that this humble household item could be used to clean your unfinished flooring, yes? Well, it can, and it’s quite handy.
To clean unfinished hardwood floors without causing damage, mix a half cup of vinegar with a gallon of water. Mop with the grain of the hardwood floors using long strokes to avoid streaks.
And don’t worry about the smell. As the vinegar fumes evaporate, so will the odor dissipate.
Murphy’s Oil
This cleaning substance is petroleum-based and safe to use on floors. To apply, use a lint-free cloth or soft pad and rub it into the floors.
You can also add Murphy’s Oil into the water and then use it that way, again making sure to remove any leftover moisture using a dry towel so it doesn’t ruin your flooring.
Trisodium Phosphate
We have already mentioned this product earlier. You can find it at hardware stores or home improvement stores.
A granular substance, it can be rubbed into the unfinished solid hardwood flooring using a soft bristle brush to remove stains.
Always read through the instructions for usage carefully before applying them to your unfinished floors.
Never Use a Lot of Water
This is a big no-no when it comes to unfinished hardwood floors. You need to be diligent about this, especially if you have young children who might not be as careful as you are.
Unfinished hardwood floors are ultra-porous and will absorb moisture like it’s their business. So remove any water or moisture on the floor asap. Use a dry towel to do so.
Never let your unfinished flooring dry naturally, always dry it by hand.
Unfinished Hardwood Floors Are Beautiful
After all this, you might wonder if unfinished hardwood floors are even worth all this extra effort. But they truly are.
With a bit of work, you will have gorgeous natural floors that will just get better day by day. You will not want to let laziness get in the way of having these beautiful unfinished flooring in your home.
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