Using the incorrect chemicals on your unfinished flooring has a high risk of causing permanent discoloration. It is inadvisable to use chemical-based cleaners on your unfinished hardwood floors. Floor cleaners will harm your flooring irreversibly. Murphy's Oil Soap is a good option for one cleaner you may use.
Cleaners such as Pledge and Murphy's Oil Soap are not recommended because they leave a dull residue on the finish. Water based surfaces may be cleaned with a damp cloth or General Finishes Orange Oil.
These floors have been sealed with a water-resistant film, such as a polyurethane coating. If you're unsure of your finish, place a drop of water on the surface. If it absorbs the water, it's not finished, and Murphy® Oil Soap should not be used yet.
You can use natural oils, floor wax, or vinegar to clean your unfinished wood floors.
Using a microfiber cloth to gently wipe the surface of a piece of unfinished wood is a simple and easy technique for cleaning the wood. This method is best for surface dirt that is not ingrained very deeply. Just run the microfiber cloth along the surface of the wood to pick up any excess dust and dirt.
It is inadvisable to use chemical-based cleaners on your unfinished hardwood floors. Floor cleaners will harm your flooring irreversibly. Murphy's Oil Soap is a good option for one cleaner you may use.
Use a cloth to work the oil into the wood grain, rubbing back and forth. When the wood has absorbed the oil, leave it for ten minutes then wipe the excess off with a clean cloth. Untreated wood tends to take 2-3 coats, but if you're unsure just stop when the wood stops absorbing the oil.
Use a damp cloth
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.
Linseed, tung, refined hemp, soy, and poppy seed oil, are all-natural oils that on their own can be used to seal and protect hardwood floors (both solid wood and unfinished engineered wood).
A kitchen staple, white vinegar is a natural way to clean a number of items. It is also safe enough to use on unfinished wood, though never apply it straight. It can be used to remove general grime, but also fingerprints and is a natural way to kill bacteria if you do not want to use dish soap.
First off, Murphy's Oil soap is oil. It leaves OIL on the finish (water evaporates....the soap and oil residue does NOT). This oil can and WILL penetrate THROUGH the poly and onto/into the wood. The worst that can happen: your floors will never take more finish again....
MULTIPURPOSE CLEANER
Better Homes And Gardens recommends using Murphy® Oil Soap on outdoor furniture to freshen up plastic, metal, glass or wood items. You can also use it on other Furniture, such as your wood dining table and chairs, end tables, nightstands and bed frames.
The company continued to be run by the Murphy family for 80 years, when they sold it to Colgate. It is available in a concentrated liquid form which is then mixed with water, as well as pre-diluted form which comes in a trigger spray bottle.
Varnish is a popular finish for raw and unfinished wooden furniture. The varnish will protect the wood from water, grease and dirt. Properly applied varnish will also give your bare wood furniture pieces a shiny, lustrous finish.
1:24 Olive Oil and Vinegar
Another simple but often effective wood cleaner used with success is a solution of one part olive oil to 24 parts white vinegar. This equates to two teaspoons of olive oil per pint of vinegar. Use the mixture from a spray bottle, and be sure to shake the bottle frequently.
* When you're done, just remove the pad and throw it, and all that dirt, away forever. *Do not use on unfinished, oiled or waxed wooden boards, non-sealed tiles or carpeted floors because they may be water sensitive.
Second, since bare wood readily absorbs water, wet cleaning methods are considered unsuitable, thus cleaning options are limited. Water and solvents can quickly swell wood fibres, raise the grain and cause unwanted dimensional change; they can also mobilize surface dirt, drawing it below the surface to cause staining.
Vegetable Oil & White Vinegar: Mix equal parts vegetable oil and white vinegar together to make a simple, yet effective, cleaner for your hardwood floor. Vinegar is a natural polish that is perfect for cleaning. It's acidity will help break down dirt and grime.
For unfinished or oil-and-wax finished wood, oil may make the surface look temporarily glossier and slightly darker. If you're oiling very light wood, like beech or pine, it may take on a golden tinge that will neutralize as the wood dries out again.
Vinegar And Water
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.
Wipe With Denatured Alcohol
The denatured alcohol will help pick up even the finest dust, and since it evaporates very quickly, it will not discolor the wood in any way. It is even safe to use on projects that will be used for food, such as a cutting board or a hardwood bread tray.
Waste from residues : The product should not be allowed to enter drains, water courses or the soil.
An oil-based finish will give your floors an amber hue. If you go this route, you'll need to wait about eight hours until the finish is dry, and expect a moderate scent.