A message in my inbox this week came from Joan. She asked, "What is the best way to clean a very grimy painted wood floor?"

Before I get to an answer, let's talk generally about wood floors and the difference between a painted wood floor and a finished wood floor. I would never suggest that anyone treat them as equals when it comes to cleaning. Please, make sure you never use a painted floor cleaning formula on your finished hardwood floor, because it will be too harsh and could cause damage.

Paint is different than, say, a polyurethane finish, which is typically used on hardwood floors. Paint is tougher, especially latex enamel that has been formulated for wood floors. Water isn't recommended for cleaning finished wood floors, because it raises the grain. It's safer for painted floors because the paint prevents the moisture from soaking into the wood. Even so, Joan will want to dry her painted wood floor promptly to prevent the wood from absorbing moisture.

Because Joan used the word "grimy" to describe her painted floor, I'm going to assume the floor has spills that have dried and dirt that's been ground in over a period of time — a worst-case scenario.

STEP 1. Using a stiff bristle broom, thoroughly sweep the floor to loosen and remove as much debris as possible.

STEP 2. Vacuum the floor using the hard-surface setting or attachment. If there are cracks between the boards, use the crevice tool to remove all the dirt and debris.

STEP 3. Mix up a batch of Painted Floor Cleaner. Carefully measure the following ingredients, and add them to a one-gallon container: 4 teaspoons super washing soda (different than baking soda), 5 tablespoons Borax and 4 teaspoons blue Dawn dishwashing liquid. Fill the container with hot water to within an inch of the top. Mix gently until all ingredients are incorporated.

STEP 4. Test this cleaner in an inconspicuous place on the floor (like in a closet or behind a door) to make sure it does not cause any harm to the paint, especially if the paint is old, cracking, brittle or even just beginning to chip or flake off.

STEP 5. Fill a spray bottle with the cleaner, or pour the cleaner into a mop bucket (depending on how you wish to clean the floor). Then, either get on your hands and knees with a rag, stiff brush or sponge, or use a good, strong floor mop. Either way, work in small areas, one at a time, scrubbing until clean.

STEP 6. Fill a bucket with clean water. If you've been using a mop, rinse it. Otherwise get a clean one. Mop the floor a second time with the water to remove all cleaner residue.

STEP 7. Dry the floor immediately with a clean, dry towel. Drying by hand prevents streaks and collects any remaining dirt left on the floor.

Super Washing Soda is a specific product from Arm & Hammer that is very different from baking soda. It's typically available in the laundry aisle of stores like Target and Wal-Mart, or you can get it online. It is also known as "soda ash" when used in swimming pools to manage pH balance. Washing soda is powerful against dirt, but can be harmful to some surfaces like fiberglass, acrylic and even painted surfaces if used to make a very strong solution. In the Painted Floor Cleaner formula, the washing soda is greatly diluted, but still powerful. It should do no harm. But you still need to test it.

Borax is sold most often under the name 20 Mule Team Borax, which you'll find in the laundry aisle, often in supermarkets.

Blue Dawn liquid dishwashing detergent is a remarkable product that we use in just about all of our cleaning products. You can use any version (ultra, original, etc.) you want as long as it's blue and the brand name is Dawn.

If you've been following my column for a long time, you'll recognize these ingredients as very similar to the ones used in our Homemade Laundry Detergent. They are, but in very different quantities. Please, DO NOT use your Homemade Laundry Detergent to clean your floors. It is way too harsh, and you will not be happy.

SMALL BATCH: If you would rather make a much smaller batch of Painted Wood Floor Cleaner to mix in a spray bottle, I've done the math. It's 1/2 teaspoon washing soda, 2 teaspoons Borax, 1/2 teaspoon blue Dawn and 2 cups hot water.

Mary invites questions, comments and tips at mary@everydaycheapskate.com, or c/o Everyday Cheapskate, 12340 Seal Beach Blvd., Suite B-416, Seal Beach, CA 90740. This column will answer questions of general interest, but letters cannot be answered individually. Mary Hunt is the founder of www.DebtProofLiving.com, a personal finance member website and the author of "Debt-Proof Living," released in 2014. To find out more about Mary and read her past columns, please visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.

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