Do you have beautiful hardwood floors that look a little worse for wear in your home? Don’t sweat it – most homeowners always find themself in this position. Cleaning unsealed wood floors can feel like a losing battle sometimes. Scratches, stains, dull spots…it’s enough to drive you bonkers.

But here’s the thing – with some simple tricks and the right products, keeping your unsealed floors looking fabulous is easier than you think. Trust me, you got this!

In this article, we’ll walk you through exactly how to keep your unsealed hardwoods clean and gorgeous.

How to Clean Unsealed Wood Floors

Supplies You’ll Need

Before we dive into the step-by-step process, let’s look at the supplies you’ll need to clean your unsealed hardwood floors:

Microfiber mops and cloths
Broom with soft bristles
Dustpan
pH-neutral hardwood floor cleaner

Bucket
Soft brush attachment for vacuum
Water (warm is ideal)

The most important thing is to use only specialized hardwood floor cleaners. Regular wood floor cleaners can be too harsh and damage the wood. For this, a pH-neutral formula is ideal. So, avoid oil soap, vinegar, ammonia, or other strong chemical cleaners.

It’s also crucial to have microfiber mops and cloths to avoid excessive moisture. This is important as the tiny fibers trap dirt easily without sopping up too much liquid. And not like the cotton mops and rags that hold onto more water.

Also, the soft-bristle brooms and brush vacuums prevent scratching the delicate grain of the raw wood. Stiff-bristled brooms or vacuums with metal beater bars can dent and scrape the flooring.

Okay, now let’s get into the cleaning part!

Sweeping and Dry Dusting

First, our floors need a quick sweep and dry dusting. For this:

Use a broom to sweep up any loose debris or dirt. Make sure to use delicate, short strokes across the wood grain to avoid scratching.

Dry dust all surfaces with a microfiber cloth to remove dust and dander. Don’t press too hard or you may scratch the wood.
Use the soft brush attachment on your vacuum for a quick once-over. Set the vacuum to the hard floor setible, and pass over lightly. This grabs any debris the broom missed.
Take your time and be thorough to ensure you have a clean foundation before mopping. Getting up all the surface grit will make the mopping more effective.

This process removes the “easy” debris and dirt. Now we’re ready to break out the mop!

Mix Your Wood Floor Cleaning Solution

The right amount of cleaner diluted in water is critical for unsealed floors. To mix your wood floor cleaning solution:

Fill your bucket halfway with warm water. Avoid using hot water, as excess heat can damage and discolor raw wood.

Refer to your floor cleaner’s instructions for exact dilution ratios. Usually, a small amount of cleaner inside the water is the best. Around 1/4 cup of cleaner per gallon of water is a good starting point.
Too much cleaner or soap can leave a residue and streaks that are hard to remove from unfinished wood. You just need enough soap to cut through dirt.
Stir the solution with a mop handle or wooden spoon until thoroughly mixed. Make sure no cleaner sits undiluted at the bottom.

Most importantly, ensure the ideal temperature is warm, not hot. Heat can degrade wood fibers over time. Now we’re ready to mop!

Damp Mopping the Floors

When mopping, always ensure a light touch:

Dip your microfiber mop head into the solution and wring it out very well. It should be damp, not dripping wet. Scrubbing with too much moisture can damage raw wood.

Work in small sections, mopping back and forth with the grain of the wood. Overlap passes slightly to ensure full coverage.
As you finish each section, use a dry microfiber cloth to wipe up excess moisture. Go with the grain and use light pressure.
Work your way room by room until the floors are mopped. Allow to fully dry before walking on the surface.

Take care not to over-saturate the floors. Excess water pooling on the surface can seep into and warp unsealed boards. So, thoroughly dry as you go.

Don’t Forget the Corners and Edges!

The edges around moldings and corners can collect dirt and grime over time. In this case:

Dip a microfiber cloth in your solution and wring it out completely until no more liquid drips out. You want it fully saturated but not dripping wet.

Carefully wipe down baseboards, corners, and any tight spots. Apply minimal pressure to avoid scuffing.
Use a soft-bristle brush only when needed on stubborn buildup or dirt.
Dry immediately with a fresh dry cloth to prevent water stains or mold growth. Check for moisture under baseboards too.

Hitting the nooks and crannies really makes your floors shine! Now let’s talk about best practices…

Follow These DOs and DON’Ts

To keep your unsealed floors looking their best for the long haul, follow these guidelines:

DO:

Sweep and dry mop daily to prevent the buildup of gritty dirt that can scratch floors.
Wipe up spills immediately with a dry cloth. Water left to pool can permanently damage raw wood.
Place mats at entryways to minimize tracked-in dirt and moisture. Also, shake them out frequently.

Close curtains/blinds to protect floors from sun damage. This helps prevent color alteration due to the UV rays.
Maintain proper humidity in your home (35-55% is ideal). Use dehumidifiers or humidifiers accordingly.

DON’T:

Use oil soap, vinegar, steam mops, or harsh cleaners that can strip finishes. Stick to specialized hardwood products.

Wet-mop more than once a week or over-saturate floors. Excess water is unsafe for unsealed wood.
Drag furniture or sharp objects across the floor that can scratch. Lift items when moving.
Walk on floors with spiked heels or sports cleats that could dent wood. Use soft-soled shoes instead.

With the proper precautions, you can keep unfinished wood flooring looking like new for decades.

Addressing Stubborn Stains and Marks

Sometimes stains happen despite our best efforts, but how can we addressed this on unsealed wood floors?

For water rings or food stains, gently rub the area with superfine 0000 steel wool. With the grain, use minimal pressure to avoid damaging the wood.
Use a specialty wood cleaner made for stain removal. Carefully test in an inconspicuous area like under a sofa first.
You may need to sand and re-oil the spot for deeper stains carefully. A flooring specialist can match the tone and reapply oil.

Avoid using hydrogen peroxide, nail polish remover, or bleach products, as these can discolor wood.

Work slowly and cautiously when removing stubborn marks. If you aren’t careful, It’s easy to etch the raw wood inadvertently.

If stains persist after steel wool and cleaning, you may need to sand the affected boards lightly. Use 120-150 grit paper and feather out from the stain edges. Vacuum dust and wipe cleaner over sanded areas. Be aware this can alter the appearance where sanded, so call a professional if you need clarification. Re-oiling will be needed after sanding.

When to Call a Professional

While routine cleaning is doable yourself, some situations call for bringing in an expert:

If your floors have extensive staining or damage that requires sanding/refinishing the entire surface.

If the wood has started to splinter or feels rough. Buffing by a pro may be needed to restore smoothness.
If high-traffic areas show wear and you want to refresh with a new layer of protective oil.
If you want to change the color or finish of the flooring. Staining and sealing are best left to the pros.

Don’t worry – with proper care, you don’t need heavy-duty repairs too often. But calling a professional refinisher benefits your floors when you do need it. They have specialized equipment to sand and restore wood properly.

Maintain That Freshly Cleaned Look!

You did the work to get your floors looking like new – keep maintaining that freshly clean look with these tips:

Dry sweep and damp mop once a week to prevent heavy soiling. Stick to a routine schedule.
Shake out area rugs frequently and mop underneath. Don’t let dirt grind below rugs.
Re-attach any loose floorboards or nails to prevent further damage. Use a specialty wood glue if needed.

Consider adding felt pads under heavy furniture legs. Choose soft pads without adhesive backing that could pull up the finish.
Keep that mop, broom, and cleaner ready! A quick daily and weekly touch-ups keep floors gorgeous.

With diligent care, you can enjoy stunning wood floors for years. Just stay on top of routine cleaning and maintenance, and you’ll reap the long-term benefits.

Conclusion

And there you have it, the top tips for keeping unsealed wood floors looking fantastic! Who knew an unsealed wood floor could sparkle beautifully with just a little elbow grease?

I hope all these cleaning tricks and guidelines give you the confidence you need to get your floors back in tip-top shape. No more feeling overwhelmed when you look at the dull, unsealed wood boards – you got this!