Cleaning wood floors
#1
Cleaning wood floors
Can anyone tell me the best way to clean old carpet padding and what appears to be some black mold off wood floors? I pulled up some carpet and the old wood floor is nice! I would like to try and clean to the best I can due to limited funds and not refinish at this time. Help in any form would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance and God bless
Dirk
Thanks in advance and God bless
Dirk
#2
I would suggest tossing the carpet pad. On the floor itself, try using clear vinegar and water (60/40) to remove the mold from the wood, then use a commercial wood floor cleaner. There are several decent brands of wfc available at Lowes and Home Depot.
#3
Cleaning wood floors
Avoid using a commercial cleaner that contains waxes or oils. These can contaminate the flooring and create adhesion problems when it comes time to refinish. Use a plastic scraper to remove old padding, scraping in direction of grain and taking care not to damage wood. The vinegar/water solution should be fine for cleaning. 1/2 cup in a gallon of water. Avoid overwetting the floor. Do a section at a time with mop or rag squeezed nearly dry. Buff dry with old towel to prevent streaking.
#4
Sure it is mold?
I've removed carpet and padding to find this black substance that at first glance looks to be mold but is adhesive used to secure the carpet padding.
The post stating not to use oils is a good one generally, but you can use Orange Oil based cleaners like orange clean to remove the black gooey substance. Orange oil will not adversely affect your finish, but you will probably need a medium strong brush and some serious elbow grease to remove the black stuff.
The post stating not to use oils is a good one generally, but you can use Orange Oil based cleaners like orange clean to remove the black gooey substance. Orange oil will not adversely affect your finish, but you will probably need a medium strong brush and some serious elbow grease to remove the black stuff.
#5
Cleaning wood floors
Generally, citrus oil-based or any other type of oil-based cleaner or cleaners that contain wax are not recommended because they tend to dull and soften finish over time. If a floor becomes contaminated, a recoat is subject to a much higher probability of failure. The majority of finish problems on recoats is the result of poor or improper maintenance. Despite what manufacturer's and retailers of the 'safe for all floors' cleaners and other miracle cleaners say in their marketing campaigns, oil-based cleaners are not recommended.
If you do not have an oil-based finish or wax finish, water-based cleaners are safest, preferably pH neutral. While vinegar is slightly acidic, the National Oak Flooring manufacturer's Association does not frown upon a weak vinegar/water solution. If in doubt, there are commercial pH neutral cleaners available.
If any cleaners used contained waxes, oils or silicone polishes, the floor is contaminated. You can never be sure of removing all of these contaminents, and a recoatng with a new finish tends either to never dry properly or never stick on top the original coating. Once a hardwood floor has been waxed, when refinished you will have to go with a wax finish floor.
If you do not have an oil-based finish or wax finish, water-based cleaners are safest, preferably pH neutral. While vinegar is slightly acidic, the National Oak Flooring manufacturer's Association does not frown upon a weak vinegar/water solution. If in doubt, there are commercial pH neutral cleaners available.
If any cleaners used contained waxes, oils or silicone polishes, the floor is contaminated. You can never be sure of removing all of these contaminents, and a recoatng with a new finish tends either to never dry properly or never stick on top the original coating. Once a hardwood floor has been waxed, when refinished you will have to go with a wax finish floor.
#7
Like eating an elephant
We've taken on a restoration/remodeling project house that we plan on doing witht he help of our 3 teens. SOunds like a fun bonding experience if we can work together and all live through it. LOL
Anyway, we've started pulling out filthy old indoor/outdoor type carpeting that's stuck down to the subfloor like it was intended to stay there for eternity. It's absolutely nasty so HAS to go.
Does anyone have any ideas on how to help loosen up the padding from the plywood and hardwood floors without making the plywood all chipped or stained? I've never seen anything adhere like this has and have done a few hojmes over the years.
Thanks!
Anyway, we've started pulling out filthy old indoor/outdoor type carpeting that's stuck down to the subfloor like it was intended to stay there for eternity. It's absolutely nasty so HAS to go.
Does anyone have any ideas on how to help loosen up the padding from the plywood and hardwood floors without making the plywood all chipped or stained? I've never seen anything adhere like this has and have done a few hojmes over the years.
Thanks!