Floors are the most difficult surfaces in the house to maintain, considering you walk on them daily. They are often the first thing you notice when your house is dirty. However, pristine floors give the impression of a cleaner home. This guide contains many tips and tricks to keep your floors clean. This checklist applies to all types of flooring, including carpet, tiles and hardwood.
BASIC MAINTENANCE
Hardwood floors can be very easy to maintain, but it is still important to do some basic maintenance to keep your floors looking beautiful. Wooden floors can be damaged by dirt, so it is important to regularly dust the floor with a mop that has been treated with a dusting product. Disposable electrostatic cloths are another option if you only need to clean a small area. They can also pick up a lot of dust. It’s a good idea, in general, to test chemical products on a small area before applying them.
DEEP CLEAN
You can do a quick sweep every other week, but hardwood floors need to be cleaned at least once a year. This will ensure that they last a lifetime. You will enjoy your floors for many years if you invest in deep cleaning now and again.
What’s the process for a deeper clean? Examine the surface. You may need baking soda and a sponge to clean up scuff marks. You can use commercial cleaners to remove grease, food and water stains. However, make sure you test it first on a small area. Small cracks in your floor are not to be panicked about. Dry heat and heating make it possible for cracks to form in winter. A word of caution, don’t soak your wooden floor with water. Instead, use damp cloths to wring out any water. Avoid exposing wooden floors to as much moisture as possible.
BASIC MAINTENANCE
Your laminate floor will look just like stone or hardwood planks, but you must maintain it the same way. Laminate floors can look great, are affordable and come in many different styles. Extra care and attention can prolong the life of laminate floors and make them last longer. Laminate floors are durable and can withstand heat, sun, and most cleaning products. However, a little extra care is still necessary.
Vacuuming can also be done every other week. An electric, rechargeable vacuum cleaner is a great option to reduce your workload. They are easy to use and last for between 20-30 minutes. No cables, no hassles. It’s also faster and more efficient than sweeping. If you prefer to sweep, dust mop or vacuum, large-sized cloth mops can cover a lot of space quickly and efficiently, provided that the floor is open.
TOP TIPS FOR LAMINATE FLOORING
Regular vacuuming or sweeping will keep dirt and grime from your floors. This will reduce scratches and prevent damage. A damp mop on the floor every once in a while will give you good results. Are you tired of streaky floors? A DIY floor cleaner containing 1/2 cup water, 1/2 cup white vinegar, and 1/2 cup rubbing alcohol will eliminate streaky floors. You can use a spray bottle or a microfibre mop to clean your floors. You can also use baby shampoo mixed with water for a gentle clean. Avoid wet mopping. A damp mop will suffice. Water leaking behind the baseboards can cause damage to the surface. Many laminate floor cleaners can be used, including some specially designed ones. Always test any new cleaning methods on a small floor area before applying them to your entire floor.
Keep IT Simple
There are many bathroom cleaning products available on the market. You have probably tried many of them. Baking soda and vinegar are simple ways to clean up your bathroom floors. A simple cleaner is a vinegar and dishwashing liquid. Begin by using a small broom to sweep around the room. Most dust will build up here, so get rid of it first. Next, use a damp mop or rag to clean the floor. Rinse the sink and dry it with a towel. Easy!
ESSENTIAL OILS MAKE SCENTS
After you have completed your bathroom floor cleaning, it is time to try something new. You can add lavender oil to a mixture with water and vinegar. This natural antibacterial solution will give your bathroom a fresh, clean scent. Mix 10-15 drops of peppermint oil with 1 cup of water to make a great room freshener. Pine kills mold and mildew and leaves behind a pleasant scent. Do not get overwhelmed by the many bathroom cleaners available at the supermarket. Instead, focus on natural methods to clean your bathroom.
KEEPING YOUR FLOOR DOG AIR FREE
Hair is an additional problem when you have pets, such as dogs, that live inside your home. You can do a few things to help keep your floor clean and reduce the amount of hair your pets shed.
MINIMALISM THE PROBLEM
A healthy diet and regular exercise will help reduce hair loss. A healthy coat can be promoted by protein, so make sure your pet gets enough. Regular grooming is a great way to remove any loose hair. It takes some effort but will pay off in the end. A flea treatment program is a must as pets that scratch often shed more hair. It will be easier to keep your pet clean with a lightweight vacuum. A hard floor attachment/setting will also make it easier to pick up hair. A robotic vacuum is another option to help keep your home looking beautiful while you are away at work or walking the dog.
LINOLEUM VS VINYL: THE DIFFERENCE
Linoleum floors can be made from linseed oils, resin, limestone and wood fiber. Vinyl floors are often referred to simply as vinyl. Linoleum, a natural flooring material, is non-allergenic, durable and environmentally friendly. Vinyl floors can be cleaned using many of the same cleaning methods, but some may not work as well with vinyl. Warm soapy water can also be used on a damp cloth for a gentle and easy clean.
TREATMENT
Linoleum floors need the same treatment as wooden floors. Keeping your floor dry and free from water and moisture is important. The surface can be maintained by vacuuming, dust mopping, or sweeping. A damp mop should be used once per week. Linoleum can stain easily. You may have to scrub them with a nylon brush, then polish them. You can remove scuff marks with just baking soda and water. Polish can protect and restore the surface every few years. To reduce the need to sweep, place doormats and rugs in entrances. However, be sure they are not rubber-backed or latex-backed, as this can cause stains. It is a good idea not to use ammonia-based cleaners.
CARING FOR WAX FLOOR FINISHES
You can seal and finish many different kinds of floors with wax. It looks great and protects the surface from many types of damage. Choosing a wax specifically designed for your floor type is important to get the best results. A wax not specifically made for your floor can cause damage or a poor finish. Ensure your floor is clean and free from contaminants before applying any wax, liquid or rub-on. The exact procedure will vary depending on the type of wax, but in most cases, the process is simple. Apply the wax to the floor using a lightly abrasive pad and then buff the surface with a clean cloth. You can also hire buffing machines that produce excellent results on hardwood floors.
THE LIMITATIONS OF CLEANING PRODUCTS
A moldy bathroom is the worst thing. However, it can accumulate before you have a chance to clean it. There are many ways to get rid of it. Bleach is a common cleaner for mold. However, unlike other cleaners, it won’t kill all mold. It also has disadvantages like masking mold and causing grout to become porous, making them more susceptible to future mold growth. Bathroom floors and tiles are porous and easy to clean. However, the grout between tiles can collect mold and stains very quickly. If you have severe stains, mix some baking soda with water to make a paste.
PREVENTION IS THE BEST!
Preventative measures are the best way to get rid of mold. Many products can be used to remove mold, but they all have their limitations. A bathroom must have adequate ventilation, including fans or vents. Diluted vinegar can also be used as a preventative and will kill any existing mold. It can be mixed in a spray bottle and used only a few times per week. This will make cleaning up and keeping mold away from your tiles easier. It is very difficult to remove mold from grouted tiles. To avoid having to do it again, get rid of all mold.
ENJOY BEAUTIFUL FLOORING
You now have some tips for keeping your floor looking amazing. Now it’s time to relax and enjoy your newly redesigned space. You can keep your living spaces fresh and alive by taking small steps and staying on top of maintenance and cleaning. Different floor types and surfaces require different care. You can now look forward to spending less time cleaning your home and more time enjoying it.