How to Clean your Floors

Every person has their preference of which household products are the best cleaners on the market. However, not all cleaning products and materials are equal when it comes to your floors. Different types of floors require different types of cleaning procedures and products. Some manufacturers require your flooring professionally cleaned about every two years for the warranty to be valid. 

Carpet

Carpet and hardwood are tied neck-in-neck for the most difficult to clean flooring. If not cleaned properly, the carpet can retain stains and odors even if you think you cleaned the area thoroughly. Vacuum carpet regularly, spot treat and remove stains as soon as possible, when needed we recommend having it professionally steamed cleaned.

Hardwood

For hardwood, there are a ton of cleaning products out there. While most all say safe on all finished hardwood, we recommend cleaning your hardwood floors with a very slightly damp mop with vinegar and water mixed 3 to 1. 3 parts water to 1 part vinegar. To protect and preserve your hardwood floors always lessen its’ exposure to water and other liquids.  For routine cleaning we recommend using a dry dust mop over the floors.

Laminate

Vacuuming up the dirt regularly and more so in high-traffic rooms like the kitchen and living room will keep it in tip-top shape. Use a slightly damp-mop about once a month and more frequently in high-traffic rooms but be careful not to oversaturate the floor.

Vinyl

Vinyl is a good choice if you’re looking for easy clean-up. Barely dampen the mop with the vinegar and water mixture mixed 3 parts water to 1 part vinegar and go over the area of flooring you wish to clean. The vinegar is strong enough to lift the dirt and grime off the flooring but gentle enough to maintain the vinyl flooring’s integrity.

Tile

Grout between tiles needs a lot of care if you want it to maintain its original color because of its porous composition. You can find everyday household items to clean the grout like hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, and dish soap. First, sweep or vacuum the loose dirt. Second, measure out ½ cup of baking soda, ¼ cup hydrogen peroxide, 1 tsp of dish soap. Let it sit on the grout for about 5-10 minutes, and then scrub with a brush. It should loosen the dirt caked into the grout, and it will come out sparkling clean. This home solution won’t break up sealants and break down the grout itself. That said, avoid using harsh chemicals like bleach to clean your grout and tile. 

Keeping your floors clean doesn’t just bring peace of mind but ensures the warranty on your flooring will still be valid if you encounter issues in the future. Before you clean your floors, make sure your tools and materials are suitable for the flooring you want to clean.