Beautiful floors are an investment in your home. With just a little care and attention, you can keep them looking as good as the day they were installed. Here’s how.
Surprisingly, the care wood flooring requires is not any more or less of an effort than most all other types of flooring. If you’ve just purchased new hardwood floors for your home or another space, a good place to look first is at the manufacturers recommendations for cleaning products or any other tips they might offer. But with any hardwood, the basic requirements remain the same whether old or new. In fact, if you love your hardwood floors by caring for them regularly and when necessary, they will love you right back by looking great just like they were meant to!
There are two basic steps in caring for your hardwood floors: sweep and/or vacuum regularly, then wipe clean – it is that simple!
Tiny particles, like dirt, can act like sandpaper and scratch the surface of your wood. By simply placing floor mats in areas where we enter the home, inviting people to wipe their shoes before walking on your floor, can eliminate a lot of these dirt particles from ever touching your wood. As for the debris we simply can’t avoid, use a good broom to sweep regularly. A vacuum cleaner without a beater bar is another good way to remove any dust or debris, getting in between the boards and other hard to reach areas. Lastly, spray a dry cloth with a hardwood specified cleaner (a fast absorbing solution) to wipe clean your wood floors. Another way to do this is to spray a hardwood cleaner directly onto your floor, then, using a dry flat mop wipe clean. Never use a wet mop with water to do this, for wood and water do not mix!
There may come a day where you feel your floor’s condition just isn’t up to par, whether its because of years of wear and tear by your kids playing on them and dogs running around or because you’ve just purchased a home with the original hardwood floors needing an apparent facelift. Depending on the type of wood and how much room for improvement there is whether above the groove or in that top layer, you have options to improving the quality of your floor in how well it will perform in the coming years as well appear. One option is in screening your hardwood floors. This option is used when there are no defects to the wood itself but rather the finish has been worn through so needs to be reapplied. Screening is the process used to abrade or grind down your floor’s finish. Fresh coats of urethane are then applied. The result is a rejuvenated floor that looks as good as new! Another option is in having your hardwood floor sanded and refinished. This option may be required if there is severe damage, such as scratching or staining, in your hardwood. This process involves sanding your floor down to the bare wood and refinishing it natural with just a urethane or adding a stain first then coating it with a urethane.
People can be particular about preserving their carpet. Some require that freshly “mown” look with perfectly parallel vacuum lines across the room. Others upset over a single crumb. Either way, here are tips on keeping your carpet as clean and cozy as the day it was installed:
By placing a mat at the doors that lead to and from the outdoors and garages, mud and dirt can stay out and not get tracked in and across the carpet.
When it comes to keeping dirty feet off the carpet, dust, food and other everyday grime will make its way onto your carpet pile. This is where a good vacuum comes in. Get one and use it often. Frequent vacuuming sucks up the dust and loose dirt, reviving your carpet pile and extending the life of your investment. If you choose a vacuum that uses bags, make sure to change the bag frequently to allow maximum cleaning efficiency. Newer bagless models may save time and make the effort easier.
Heavy furniture, potted plants, and other heavy home decor can flatten carpet pile and leave compressions that you may not notice until you move them. It’s a good idea to move things around or rearrange furniture; your carpet will thank you!
Large windows invite the sunlight in, and just like with our skin, its ultraviolet rays can damage the color of your carpet over time. To avoid this, shut curtains or blinds when the sun is most intense or use UV glass or film on your windows.
Looped carpet tends to snag over time, most often at the seams. Best not to vacuum over loose yarns or pull snags. Instead, treat every loose thread like you would on an expensive garment. Grab scissors and carefully cut the snag flush with the plush.
Everything from crumbs to red wine will find its way onto and into your carpet. When this happens, because it will happen, begin by using a dry cloth to blot up as much dirt or liquid as possible. The longer you wait, the more the fibers will absorb the stain. Use warm water to rinse the stained area, then press a cloth into the carpet to soak up the moisture until the stain is gone. Don’t scrub and don’t use hot water, for it will damage the fibers. After your carpet dries, vacuuming will restore its texture and appearance. There are also some carpet cleaners that do actually work.
Like most clothing, carpet is a textile. Though it doesn’t come with care instructions on a tag, it does come with maintenance literature provided by the manufacturer. Different fibers, styles, and finishes require specific care. Read up and follow their suggested guidelines. You’ll be glad for it!
Time and traffic will take a toll on any carpet. Carpet manufacturer warranties give very specific instructions on the type of professional cleaning necessary to keep that warranty from becoming void. Refer to that, and when necessary, call on a reputable professional carpet cleaning service to restore your carpet to its original beauty. Their knowledge, commercial equipment, and experience can go a long way towards removing stubborn stains and keeping your home beautiful.
Laminate flooring is incredibly durable, but like any floor, requires care to maintain its beauty. Taking proper care of your laminate floors will reward you and your home for many years to come. Placing doormats at each exterior entryway is also a good idea to collect excessive moisture and dirt before entering your home.
Here’s some advice on keeping your laminate floors looking their very best:
Dust and dirt act as an abrasive on a laminate’s surface and can seriously dull its appearance. This can be avoided by regular sweeping, dust mopping, or vacuuming to remove loose dirt and grime. Either a broom or a vacuum cleaner without a beater bar will do. Vacuum cleaner attachments are useful to capture dust and dirt in between planks or along edges. An occasional damp mop is also recommended. But be careful, since laminate flooring can expand when it comes in contact with excessive water. After a damp mop, a clean dry cloth should be used to wipe the floor dry.
While it’s not best to drag sharp items or walk across laminate flooring with stiletto heels, it’s nice to know that replacing laminate planks is an option. Replacing laminates may be done using the same product or using a slightly different product, dye lot and/or texture than your original installation. It’s always good practice to purchase extra material upon a new installation, and store away for any future repair necessary.
The best place to look first after having tile freshly laid is at the manufacturer’s recommended care instructions. But whether new or not, the maintenance required remains the same, and it is simple. Always remember to sweep your tile floors regularly, preventing any dirt from building up by loosening and removing any that can easily adhere to its surface, especially those with a highly textured surface. You can also use a vacuum cleaner to help with dirt along the tile edges, in between tiles, or in hard-to-reach areas. Just remember to use one without a beater bar to prevent dulling and scratching your tile. Once you’ve removed the debris from the tile’s surface, you’ll want to use a cleaner specified for whatever type of material your tile is composed of, whether glazed or unglazed ceramic or porcelain tile or natural stone. Using a damp mop or a flat dry mop and cleaner, wipe the surface regularly to keep it clean and shining like new!
For heavy cleaning, it may be necessary to use a soft brush for spot cleaning or in between where the grout is with a mild detergent. Always rinse this away thoroughly with clean and warm water to remove any leftover residue, and wipe dry with a clean towel.
Linoleum flooring should be swept clean regularly, and washed with a mild detergent and water, but never left wet! It’s a good idea to use doormats at exterior entryways to protect it.
You’ll need to keep your linoleum floor waxed. Be sure to carefully follow the directions from the manufacturer’s packaging of polish or wax solution. In between waxing, linoleum floors can be shined using a mixture of warm water and a few drops of baby oil.
The natural makeup of linoleum flooring makes it extra sensitive to acidic, chemical based cleaning products such as bleach or ammonia. Use a mild dishwashing soap or linoleum specific cleaner with a damp mop or cloth to clean your floors. Make sure to use a clean cloth to wipe the floor dry when finished. Also, avoid using any abrasive brushes or cleaning pads when cleaning to prevent scratching. If a mop or cloth do not remove the dirt, use a soft or non-abrasive sponge or pad to gently scrub the area clean.
Dirt, debris, sand, and other small abrasive particles can scratch and damage bamboo flooring. To prevent this, place doormats at each exterior entryway to collect excessive moisture and dirt before entering your home. Area rugs can also help prevent wear and tear. It is also recommended to use felt pads on the feet of your furniture, and advise against dragging heavy items across the floor when rearranging a room in order to prevent denting of your floor.
Excessive sunlight can discolor bamboo over time, but this can be avoided or limited with the right window treatments. If you have pets, it’s a good idea to trim their nails short and dry them off or wipe their feet clean when they come inside.
Bamboo flooring should be swept, vacuumed, and/or dust-mopped often. This helps prevent the accumulation of dirt and debris on the surface, which can lead to scratching. Spills should be wiped up with a clean, dry cloth immediately, as it is a porous material. And although bamboo is more resistant to moisture than hardwood, water should never be used for cleaning because it may cause the material to warp or expand. You can use a slightly damp mop or a bamboo-specific cleaner (typically a fast-absorbing cleaner) to clean surface stains and/or dirt, but make sure the surface is completely dry within a few minutes of doing so.
