my wood floors are unfinished and hold dirt in the grains everytime I mop. How do I really get my floors clean

Question

my wood floors are extremely dirty and they are unfinished so it holds dirt alot. Everytime I mop it never seems clean. What can I do>

Answer 1

First that you need to do is protect the floors against water if the wood is exposed is very fragile, try to keep the water out, i would recommend that you hired a contractor to refinish your wood floors you can see how much do you have to paid for the size and the product that you have simple go to

http://www.floorsincalifornia.com/laminat/CALC.html and type the sq ft of the floors is simple and free for every one! if you want to find out if you need to re-cat thefloors do this:

This simple guide will help you determine if the finish is a wax finish, shellac or varnish finish or a surface finish.

If the floor was installed, or last serviced, before the mid '60s, you should assume the finish used was varnish or shellac. To determine this, scratch the surface with a coin or other sharp object in a corner or other inconspicuous space. If the finish flakes, it is probably shellac or varnish. Shellac and varnish are rarely used anymore and require full sanding to remove before application of a surface finish or wax finish.

Next, check the floor for wax finish. In an inconspicuous area, corner or behind a door, apply two (2) drops of water. If, within ten minutes, white spots appear under the drops of water, the floor has a wax finish. To remove the white spots, gently rub the spots with #000 steel wool dampened with wax.

If the finish does not flake from scratching with a coin and white spots do not appear from the drops of water, the floor has a surface finish and should be maintained accordingly.


BUT IF you can't afford that I will recommend this:
go to a hardware store and purchase any good quality wood sealer, 1 qt will cost you about $13.00 and will be enough to cover about 300 sq ft, this is very flammable so be careful.

1.clean the floors very clean couple times
2.make sure the floors are totally dry
3.vacuum the floors 2 times
4.take a paiters brush and start to apply the sealer starting in one corner till cover the whole room
5 let it dry will take about 45 minutes
6 open windows to ventilate the area
7 you are all set for now at least as soon you have any money hired a contractor of follow this steps to doit your self

http://www.floorsincalifornia.com/Hardwood_Sales_Install/refinish_guide_1.html

Answer 2

If you go on e-bay or some similar site there is a steam cleaner called euro-pro. It is blue and has a long hose and attachments for the floor. It should cost less than $70 This steam machine will clean your floor - is easy to use and will not leave anything on the floor as you are using only water. I have owned a cleaning service for many many years this is the best tool for cleaning all hard floors -- it also has attachments for cracks and crevaces like in a stove or microwave and around your bathroom fixtures. Fabulous tool and worth every penny spent. If this idea does not appeal to you You could use a T-mop and keep changing the cloth. Dampen this with a mixture of oxy-clean and half a cap of orange clean in about a gallon of warm water. Good luck -k-

Answer 3

I recently pulled up my carpet in my apartment and there is a wood floor underneath. It also isn't finished. I use a vacuum with the hose attachment to get all the dirt out of the crevices. I plan on finishing the floors, but until then I have some big cracks between the boards, but use a vacuum before you mop. it works.

Answer 4

take your shoes off at the door, sand the floor clean and apply a light clear finish so the wood beauty comes thru and the water won't penetrate each mopping

Answer 5

You are going to work your buns off every time you sweep or mop until you have a finish put on this floor to seal those cracks. Or clean it and don't let anybody ever walk on it again, which I don't think is an option.

Answer 6

Vacuum and then try using a tack cloth. You'll find it in the woodworking section of the hardware store. It's used to get sawdust and stuff off a surface before applying a finish. I would recommend finishing the floors to prevent any damage.

Answer 7

I would suggest you fill the unfinished floors with paper máché Fill in the small gaps press in with a filling knife, then clean of the excess. Leave the filling to set hard smooth it with a medium -grade sandpaper. that should stop all the dirt

Answer 8

Rent a floor sander, sand lightly and thenn put a clear finish on them.

Answer 9

try H2 http://www.shaklee.net/qualitylife/product/00015