Unpolished floorboards

Hi all, I've been reading this board with lots of interest over the last couple of weeks and have found the posts to be very informative. My problem is that last week I was bored and decided to rip up my old carpet, but I'm not ready to have the boards sanded or polished yet. Can anyone tell me whether it is ok to have the boards uncovered and walked on without any finish on them. Also there are drips of paint etc on them from when the house was built in 1975. Is there anything I can wash the boards with to get the paint and grime off beforehand so its more pleasant to live with for now.

Looking forward to any response, Elly :)

It's fine to live on the boards untreated, for as long as you like.

Give them a wash with water and dish washing detergent, but there is no reason to flood the floor when you do this, just mop over, but not drown it.

As for the paint and what not, it might be best to scrape, or sand the worst of it off with a small sander, prior to giving it a wash.

Thanks Dusty for your reply. I wasn't sure if I'd done the right thing or not as they seem so dry, I was worried I would damage them. I'm still not sure on the finish I am after as I love the look of tung oil but with 3 boys I'm not sure how practical this will be. Thanks again ... Elly :)

my mums house the new brushbox floor and stair case was left un-finshed for 4 years till we got around to it.

Hi Gazza ... your comment has left me at ease, I was worried that with everyone walking on the boards that they would end up damaged. I'm hoping to have them done in the next month or so even though I'm still tempted to do them myself a room at a time with tung oil.

Thanks ... Elly :)

if DIY read some of the recnt threads on here, there ahs been some great DIY jobs latley.

have you considered using water based polyurthane floor finsh it dries quicker between coats and does not have any smell.