Floors are never safe from dirt, spills or grime. Whether there’s heavy foot traffic or you aren’t keen on tidying up, dirty floors happen. The seasons can really affect things too, especially with this winter weather we have been having in the Midwest! It’s important to preserve the quality and appearance of your floor. However, you shouldn’t grab everything under the kitchen sink and go to town on cleaning floors. Here are the do’s and don’ts of cleaning your floors.
Hardwood Floors
Do This
The first thing you should do is dust and vacuum your hardwood floors. This way you collect all of the dust and debris before you start mopping. After that, it’s time to bring out the mop. Be sure to use warm water, a water-based cleaner, and well-wrung mop. Allow enough time for the floors to dry before walking on them.
Don’t Do This
If you use a vacuum, you want to be sure that it can be used on hardwood floors. When it comes time to mop, don’t reach for any cleaner at the hardware store or stuff you have around the house. Be sure to look for a cleaner that is non-toxic and water-based. When in doubt, consult a professional on the best product for cleaning hardwood floors.
Laminate Floors
Do This
Laminate flooring imitates the looks of hardwood floors and is more resistant to stains. However, that doesn’t mean they are stain proof. When any type of liquid spills onto laminate flooring, you should act immediately. Quickly drying up a spill will prevent staining and damage to the floor.
Don’t Do This
According to a post from DIY Network, you should not use scented cleaners or cleaners that produce a shine. This can lead to a build-up on wax and residue that can be hard to get out.
Vinyl Floors
Do This
It’s very important that you consistently clean & maintain vinyl flooring. Vinyl floors are susceptible to damage when grime and water build up. This can cause the wax layers to buff out, compromising the tile. According to a post from Reader’s Digest, make sure you know the type of floor you have to determine whether or not it needs to be waxed.
Don’t Do This
You should use minimal amounts of water when cleaning floors made from vinyl. Excessive amounts of water will absorb into vinyl floors, causing more damage. That means wringing out the mop as much as you can. Make sure your cleaner is specific to the type of vinyl floor that you have, for example, use a cleaner specified for waxed vinyl.
For more info on the best rooms for installing vinyl flooring, see this post.
Tile Floors
Do This
It’s important to consistently sweep your tiled floors since dirt and grime can cause cosmetic damage to tiles. For a simple clean, mopping your floor with a mixture of hot water & cleaning solution will do. For stains, you can use a combination of water, cleaning solutions and household products. DIY Network has a great post explaining how to clean stains on ceramic tile.
Don’t Do This
Don’t neglect the grout between your tiles. Since grout is very porous, it can be harder to get out the grit and grime between your tiles. To preserve the look of your tile, make sure you clean the grout with specified cleaner and low amounts of water.
A Final Word on Cleaning Floors
Whether you have hardwood floors or ceramic tiles, you should make it a habit to consistently clean your floors. For more tips on cleaning your floors or new floor options, call on My Affordable Flooring!
