Floors are a focal point of any place that needs to be properly maintained. If you don’t care for them properly, they will lose structural integrity and an appealing finish. Every flooring has its own set of maintenance requirements. For example, solid hardwood flooring isn’t much waterproof compared to vinyl ones. So, you need expert guidance to keep your floor maintained and clean.
In this article, Lush Loom is going to describe an extensive floor caring guide with various tips & tricks that you can apply to all types of floor cleaning. Stay with this page and let’s check them out.
Step By Step Guide To Maintain Floors
Here is our streamlined guide for floor maintenance. We will discuss the floor preparation methods before cleaning and then give expert tips.
Floor Preparation Before Cleaning
Start removing all the items from the floor surface if you’re deep cleaning. Remove furniture items, rugs, or mats for seamless cleaning. It will help you identify the spot stains that can be treated specially with particular stain removers. Be gentle and blot; scrubbing can lead to scratches or stain spreading.
Pay attention – During floor preparation, we recommend you don’t use any harsh chemical solutions because they can damage the original finish of your flooring.
Experts Tips To Clean Floors
Now, you have no obstacles on flooring. Let’s start with professional cleaning methods.
Sweep & Vacuum
Go with regular vacuuming or sweeping to reduce the risk of scratches from sand and small stones. Use a soft-bristle brush and v-groove attachments and move the vacuum slowly in multiple directions for proper cleaning. Gently clean edges and corners where dirt tends to accumulate.
Wipe Up Spills With pH Cleaners
Any alkaline or acidic cleaners can damage the surface of your flooring, especially SPC flooring because of its synthetic nature. So, you’re recommended to use pH-neutral cleaners. They effectively wipe up stubborn spills on your floor without any scratches on the floor.
Use Microfiber Mops
Use lukewarm soapy water and a microfiber mop to remove grime and debris without leaving excess moisture. This is the best cleaning method for solid wood flooring or those susceptible to moisture.
Immediately Remove Spills
Our expert tips also include immediately removing spills from the floor because they might cause warping. Prolong spills on a floor also create a suitable breeding environment for mold.
Polish & Wax Floors Periodically
Polishing and waxing floors enhances their lifespan by increasing their resistance to high-foot traffic, dirt accumulation, and scuffs. It also brightens up your space, promotes anti-slippery features, and improves aesthetics.
Guide to Maintaining Different Floor Surfaces
Explore the specific maintenance guides for popular flooring types. Following these steps, you improve the high-gloss appearance of floors and enhance their lifespan.
1. Vinyl Flooring Care
It has a hard rigid core and is resistant to moisture. However, you still need to opt for the right cleaning methods for vinyl flooring that incorporate less water use. Explore them below.
Cleaning:
- Mop with a damp cloth to remove stubborn dirt and stains.
- Sweep regularly with mild detergent and dry with a microfiber
Protection:
- Add blinds and UV films to protect from sunlight.
- Use dragging coasters and furniture pads.
Avoid:
- Do not clean using steam pressure to avoid plank joining loosening
- Do not use abrasive and harsh cleaning solutions to protect coatings
2. Wooden Flooring Care
It’s a natural and solid flooring that comes in planks and tiles. Wooden flooring has a non-porous and complex weave structure, susceptible to water, but avoids structural damage. Here are the best cleaning methods for it.
Cleaning:
- Sweep wooden floors with soft-bristle attachments and damp mops with natural cleaners.
Protection:
- Avoid walking with high heels and studded shoes on wooden flooring to prevent dents.
- Maintain humidity and moisture at 30-50% or at high humidity areas using dehumidifiers.
Maintenance:
- Consider refinishing treatment every 18-24 months to bring it back to its natural shine.
3. Laminate Flooring Care
The laminate flooring is durable and eco-friendly and inherently resists dirt and stains with its smooth finish. However, prolonged spill accumulation causes fading and paleness. You need to opt for the superior cleaning methods for it.
Cleaning:
- Regular vacuuming keeps dust off.
- Use a damp cloth for spills, but avoid soaking.
Protection:
- Keep doormats to catch dirt and sand.
- Install quality window coverings for minimum light exposure and discoloration.
Avoid:
- Avoid steam mops, pressure cleaning, or harsh chemical solutions
4. Carpet Flooring Care
Carpets feature different pile heights and are made with fibers that extremely attract dust and dirt. Carpet flooring is also prone to spills and needs specialized cleaning for a sustainable appearance and a clean look.
Cleaning:
- Vacuum twice a week or daily to prevent dirt buildup.
- Wipe out any spills immediately.
- Use a squeegee to get rid of pet hairs on the carpet floor.
Protection:
- Do not frequently move heavy furniture on carpets because it causes fiber-crushing
- Stroke the coin on the affected area to remove dents
- Use ice cubes to loosen the crushed carpet pile back to its life
- Use doormats and runners in high-traffic areas
- Keep mild eco-friendly cleaning solutions to get rid of stains quickly.
Deep Clean:
- Consider quarterly and annual cleaning for a fresh carpet look
Things To Consider While Maintaining Your Floors
Pay attention to these common factors to prevent your floors from damaging. We collect these effective strategies from daily life examples.
- High Foot Traffic: Use runners and padded doormats at high foot-traffic spaces to prevent direct pressure on flooring.
- Heels & Spiked Shoes Impact: Studded shoes and heels can leave scratches on floors, so avoid walking with them on floors.
- UV Light Damage: Prolonged sunlight exposure can fade your flooring, so install window blinds and curtains to cover windows and prohibit light.
- Humidity Effects: Ensure your flooring is all time dry and use dehumidifiers to ensure no warping and expanding.
- Pet Claws: Keep the claws of your pet trimmed to protect the floor from scratches.
- Heavy Furniture: Don’t drag heavy furniture on the floor it may lead to severe scratches and dents. Use furniture coasters while moving furniture across the floor.
Wrapping Up!
Finally, we shared the ultimate tips on how to maintain floors like a professional. Consider pH-neutral cleaners to avoid floor fading and cover windows maximum for sunlight restriction. Do not consider any abrasive chemical solution because it damages the overall flooring surface. Regularly go for sweeping and vacuuming your floors for zero dirt and debris accumulation.
Go for floor polishing and waxing periodically to ensure a bright appearance. For versatile flooring types, opt for the suitable methods as we described. Boost the lifespan of your flooring by consistently maintaining floors by following our guidelines.
