How To Properly Clean Unfinished Hardwood Floors
Unfinished hardwood flooring provides a natural and rustic aesthetic to any room that it is installed in. However, because it does not have a finish or stain on it, unfinished hardwood floors can hold onto dirt and show stains fairly easily. Further, the lack of a finish or stain means that unfinished hardwood floors are more susceptible to potential damage while cleaning. In order to maintain the appearance of your unfinished hardwood flooring, you need to ensure that you are using the proper materials and tools to clean it.
General Dirt and Dust
Unfinished hardwood flooring will show dust and dirt very easily. Since there is no protective sealant against water on your floors, you'll have to make use of dry methods of removing dirt. A broom and a dustpan are often not enough to eliminate the majority of contaminants, so you should make use of a vacuum cleaner with a hard surface attachment to provide the deepest clean possible. In order to prevent dirt from becoming stuck on, you should vacuum at least once a week.
Removing Stains with Chemicals
For other substances which may have stained or discolored the surface of your unfinished hardwood floors, you can make use of a few specific chemical cleaners. Mineral spirits applied to a rag and wiped across the stained area will easily break down most food and oil stains. However, take care to wipe up any excess fluid which may remain on the floor afterwards, as prolonged exposure could cause bleaching of the wood. If mineral spirits do not do the trick, you can make use of trisodium phosphate (TSP), available at most hardware stores. Just mix a cup of TSP into a liter of water, and scrub the solution into the stained area with a stiff bristled brush. Again, be sure to wipe down the area afterwards, as moisture can cause warping and damage to your flooring.
Removing Stains by Sanding
As there is no finish on the surface of unfinished hardwood flooring, you can simply sand away stains and discoloration that take hold over time. You should use a combination of medium grit sandpaper to remove the stain, and fine or extra fine grit sandpaper to smooth out the surface afterwards. While a belt sander will provide the quickest stain removal, you run the risk of sanding away too much of your floorboards and creating an uneven surface. For this reason, you should sand by hand. Make sure that you always sand in a single direction back and forth along the grain of the board to maintain the appearance of your flooring. Visit a site like http://www.towneinteriors.net for more help.