How to Keep Your Floor in Excellent Shape
If you are trying to decide between different types of flooring for your home, you may be wondering what to do after the purchase to keep your floors in excellent shape. Every type of floor has different care needs and it is important that you know what to do and what not to do so that your floor is never damaged by your care methods. If you want to learn more about how to protect your floors, here are a few tips to help you along.
Stone or Concrete Flooring
If your floor is made from stone or concrete, it is very important that you do not use acidic cleaners. Acidic cleaners include substances such as vinegar and lemon. These cleaners are much too harsh for a stone or concrete floor and will cause permanent damage. If you clean these types of floors with a cleaner that is acidic it can cause etching on the floor. In addition, ammonia-based cleaners should never be used on these types of floors because it can wear down the sealant on the floor. This will leave the floor more prone to stains and damage and will shorten the life of your floor.
If you want to clean a concrete stone floor the right way you will need to start with a cleaner that is designed for the type of floor and is pH-balanced. You should combine this cleaner with cool water to form a diluted solution. For concrete floors, you should mix the solution with hot water instead. Make sure that the cleaner isn't very concentrated, otherwise it could damage the floor. You should start by mopping the floor by forming 'S' patterns as you mop. If there are dirty spots on the floor, use a soft sponge to rub along the floor grain. Once you have finished cleaning the floor, you should dry it immediately and wipe up any excess cleaning solution by using a clean, soft cloth, preferably made from micro-fibre.
When dealing with stains on a concrete floor, use a stiff-bristle brush or vacuum cleaner to get into the stain. Concrete floors can create a lot of dust and absorb stains easy. If you are dealing with a stain caused by grease on a concrete floor, you can create a paste from detergent powder and hot water. Put it on the area for 10 minutes and then you can scrub it off.
Laminated and Hardwood Flooring
Wood can be difficult to clean because too much moisture could damage the wood. In addition, if you apply too much oil to a wood floor, it can actually dull the floor over time. The best cleaner for a wood floor is one that is sold by the manufacturer. Always make sure to vacuum before cleaning the floor and try to put as little water on the floor as possible as you clean it.
Vinyl Flooring
Like wood floors, you should start by vacuuming before cleaning a vinyl floor. Simply mix a solution of one cup of vinegar to a bucket of hot water is enough to make a cleaning solution that will not leave a sticky residue.
