Pine board flooring can bring a beautiful, natural look to your home. Wood floors are a classic choice, and if taken care of, they can also be remarkably long-lasting. But, like any other type of flooring, regular cleaning and careful upkeep of your pine board flooring is essential to keeping it in good condition.
Finished or Unfinished?
Most of the upkeep you’ll do for your pine board flooring is simply cleaning away the dirt and dust that builds up with time and regular foot traffic. But before you can start cleaning, it’s important to note what type of wood floor you have. While some solutions can be used on finished pine board flooring, these solutions will be too harsh and can damage unfinished flooring. Some common cleaners you might use on other surfaces, like your windows or countertops, are too acidic or harsh and should never be used on either type of wood floor at all.
Cleaning Your Finished Flooring
Although vinegar is an excellent natural solution to countless cleaning problems, you should avoid using vinegar to clean varnished pine board flooring. Over time, the highly acidic quality of the vinegar can damage the finish, so it’s better to use a cleaner with a neutral pH.
Cleaning Your Unfinished Flooring
If you do have unfinished pine board flooring, that’s okay! The process will be very similar, but the cleaning solution you use should be different. Instead of using solutions intended for finished wood floors, check labels carefully to make sure you have cleaners intended for unfinished surfaces. Because unfinished pine board flooring won’t have a protective topcoat of varnish, taking this extra step is essential. Just like with cleaning finished flooring, avoid harsh chemicals and rough scrubbing pads that can damage the unfinished wood. The best strategy is to lightly dampen a soft, absorbent material, like a cotton mop, and to use a gentle cleaning solution. Regularly vacuuming your floors to prevent the buildup of dirt can also help you keep your pine board flooring beautifully clean.