Cleaning and Stain Removal - Cleaning Old Unfinished Floor

I've come across an old wood floor and I am wondering what would be best way to wet clean it.

I'm not sure of the wood type or whether it's finished or not, so I don't think I can use the wood cleaners for finished floors.

And I've heard that water-based cleaners are not good for unfinished floors.


I dusted the floor with a vacuum but there is still a layer of grime. Is there any way of safely wet-cleaning the floor if it's finish has deteriorated?




Thank you.

Ya, sand paper with the grain.

Is there no safe industrial brand solvent or product for unfinished wood floors? I can't sand the floor yet, so I just want to clean it up first with a mop.

I doubt very much that you have an unfinished floor, but it is possible. Start in an out of way corner, wipe with mineral spirits(paint thinner), that should get off most or all the grime. Don't soak it, a little on a rag goes a long way, and keep in mind this stuff is combustible. Paint thinner will not harm most finishes, but will usually clean the dirt, old wax, grease, etc.

A few drops of water on wood floor will tell you if there is a finish on the floor. The water will be absorbed into wood if there is no finish. Cleaning unfinished wood with water or water-based products is not recommended. Water and soil will be absorbed into wood to levels that may not be able to be sanded out. Ground in soil in unfinished wood may not be able to be adequately sanded out.

Mineral spirits, is not the same as paint thinner. Paint thinner will ruin a oil finish, and streak / etch a waterbased.

I tried the water test: the floor got discolored and rough.



Then I tried Wilbert Dry-Finish Lemon Oil. It is supposed to "renew" the finish on furniture and panels.


It certainly helped clean the grime off the floor, but does it really "restore" a finish to the point where it'll be safe to use a water-based cleaner?

Do not proceed with the oil, unless you plan on using an oil finish when you get around to finishing the floors. Oils and waxes and cleaning products that contain oils and waxes will contaminate the wood and cause adhesion problems in the future. If water test revealed discoloration and roughness and the water was absorbed into the wood and raised the grain, then floor has no finish.

"Lemon oil...does it really "restore" a finish to the point where it'll be safe to use a water-based cleaner?" No. Lemon oil is absorbed into the raw wood. As indicated, it will create problems. Water should never be used on raw wood or wood with oil or wax finish. Even with surface finish, wood flooring can only be damp mopped. Water and wood do not mix. Avoid water and water-based cleaners unless you have a surface finish. You have no finish to protect your flooring. To properly finish the wood floor will require sanding and application of stain, if desired or required to camouflage stains, and multiple coats of finish. Today's most popular finish is polyurethane.

To learn more about wood flooring and sanding and finishing, go to the National Oak Flooring Manufacturer's website at www.nofma.org Click publications and download for free the technical manual on finishing wood floors.