Unsealed parquet floors are fairly easy to clean. They should only be cleaned with a vacuum, broom, or mop, and if you need to use moisture to remove any dirt, then try to stick to only water.
You can use natural oils, floor wax, or vinegar to clean your unfinished wood floors.
You should use less soap and water than you'd typically do on a finished wood floor. Soap and water can really damage the wood. The excess moisture will easily get in between the boards. Use only damp cloths made from delicate fabric, if possible.
Even if you sweep and vacuum your floor regularly, residue may build up on the surface of an unsealed wood floor. While you can't use water or liquid floor cleaners to remove it, treating the floor with a natural oil like linseed or jojoba once a month can help remove surface residue and keep the floor clean.
Do mop a wood floor with a damp mop or cloth. String mops are less common these days, and that's not a bad thing for cleaning wood floors. They can be tough to evenly wring out and use. Microfiber cloths are great for using with wood flooring.
A guiding principle to remember is that water and wood do not mix. Wood flooring can react like a sponge when around water– and get too much liquid it will swell.
The best mop for hardwood floors is the Bona Premium Microfiber Floor Mop because of its durable microfiber mop head and lightweight design. We also liked the iRobot Braava M6 Robot Mop, which uses mapping technology to navigate your home by itself and clean grime from your hardwood flooring.
Fill the bucket with warm water and add a small amount of vinegar (1/4 cup per gallon of water). To apply the cleaner to the floor, a mop or a cloth can be used. Regardless of which one is used, ensure that it is thoroughly rung out to prevent dampening the wood any more than necessary.
Soft microfiber mops work best on hardwood floors. You can spray a sanitizing cleaning solution or hardwood-friendly cleaner on before dusting for a deeper clean, but a mop with a gentle microfiber pad is the best option for engineered wood or hardwood floors.
The bad news is that if the wood is not sealed the lumber will begin to wear at a far faster rate than it would without that protective layer. Exact figures are hard to place, as your home's microclimate and the quality of lumber used will determine the speed of the weathering.
Sealed hardwood floors can withstand the moisture and heat from a steam mop, and they clean really nicely with a streak-free finish. However, avoid using a steam mop on unsealed hardwoods, as they're more vulnerable and easily damaged by excessive moisture.
Begin by dusting or sweeping your floors well. Then make a cleaning mixture using 4 cups warm water and a few drops of castile soap or dish soap. Do not shake, but gently mix this, then mop or scrub small sections at a time, drying them with a clean cloth or dry mop after."
Unsealed wood floors mean the hardwood doesn't have a protective layer. Many homeowners like the look of untreated floors. The lack of shine and polish makes it look more natural. But its rustic charm also means the wood is at the mercy of the environment.
Get yourself a bowl of warm water and add a small amount of mild dish soap. Using a clean and non-abrasive sponge, scrub your door to remove any minor marks or dirt. Always remember to wipe around the edges of the door too! Once you're done, always make sure there is no soap left on the surface of the door.
For a deep cleaning, moisten a cloth with some mineral spirits or kerosene and wring the cloth to remove any excess liquid. Test the solution on a hidden area first, and if safe, use the damp cloth to scrub the wood. Turn the cloth to a fresh area as it absorbs the dirt. ²
Smoke or chemical sponge
Also known as “dry cleaning or soot sponges,” these vulcanized rubber sponge products with a small quantity of added detergent can be effective at picking up dirt from a bare wood surface. The sponge is gently pressed or rolled onto the surface.
When mopping hardwood floors, make sure to wring most of the water out of the mop so it's damp and not sopping wet. Rinse the mop when necessary. Avoid leaving any standing water on the floor, which can damage the wood. This is especially true for prefinished hardwood floors.
We would recommend sticking to mostly water when you are cleaning your unfinished wood floors. But, if you find yourself struggling with some stubborn stains, then adding a bit of vinegar to your water can be very helpful. Vinegar is a natural substance that won't cause any damage to your unfinished wood floors.
Sealed wood floors have an extra layer of protection that prevents the majority of water damage, whereas unsealed floors are much more sensitive to moisture. (You can find out which one you have by placing a drop of water on the floor. If it keeps its shape, your floor is sealed.
To tell the difference in a pinch, just rub your finger across the floor. Be sure to do this on a clean floor. If no smudge appears, the floor is surface sealed. If you do create a smudge, the floor has been treated with a penetrating seal, oil finish, shellac, varnish or lacquer, and then waxed.
Yes, it is safe to use a gentle sponge mop on hardwood floors as long as the sponge is properly wrung out. To keep hardwood floors looking their best, consider using the mop with a hardwood floor cleaner. The mop should be near dry to keep moisture to a minimum and avoid damage.
The flat head microfiber mop. That's right! It's time to toss out every other floor mop you have ever owned and you'll soon know exactly why! This floor mop is what the pros use in almost every case and there's many reasons why.
Don't use vinegar or baking soda.
Many DIY home cleaning solutions involve the use of vinegar or baking soda, but these are, in fact, the worst things you can apply to your wood floors. They actually damage and dull the polyurethane, which can irreparably ruin them.
Manufacturers and industry experts advise against cleaning hardwood floors with water because wood naturally expands when it's wet and can cause your floor to crack or splinter.