The floors in your home are probably one of the largest areas that capture the most dirt, and therefore require the most attention when it comes to cleaning. Let’s face it, the dust and dirt in the air must eventually land somewhere. And we just can’t entirely avoid dirt and debris following us in on our shoes and clothes from the great outdoors. Spills, trapped dirt, germs, residue build-up and pet hair all further contribute to the need to have the floors in your home regularly cleaned. However, all floor types are not created equally and each floor surface may require a different kind of attention to get it clean.
Your cleaning service experts know exactly how to best clean each floor surface in your home. But for those occasions when you need to DIY, here’s some helpful hints for cleaning and caring for the various hard floor surfaces in your home.
Hardwood Floors
Its best to start by cleaning the loose particles of dirt and grit off the floor.
Its best to start by cleaning the loose particles of dirt and grit off the floor. Thorough vacuuming does the best job of removing the loose dirt, dust and debris from your wood floors. Most upright vacuums have a setting which turns off the rug beater attachment and lowers the vacuum suction closer to the floor surface. Sweeping with a broom generally just pushes the dirt around and can cause it to get trapped in the cracks between the planks. Alternatively, dust mopping with a microfiber dust mop is also an efficient way to pick up the loose dirt as the dirt adheres to the microfiber particles instead of just getting pushed around into the cracks or corners.
Depending on the sealer finish on your wood floors, damp mopping is the next best step. It is recommended to limit the amount of moisture, so make sure your mop or cloth is well wrung before wiping or mopping. A cleaning solution of mostly water with a small amount of vinegar or dish soap will do a good job. Harsh detergent cleaners may damage or dull the protective seal or varnish on your floors.
Laminate Floors
The same options for cleaning the loose dirt or particles are recommended. Again, sweeping is not recommended as dirt and gritty particles can get trapped in the cracks of the laminate pieces and get stuck in the adhesive and can even cause lifting over time.
Use a damp cloth to clean up any spills as they happen and a well rung damp mop for all over cleaning. Do not use steam cleaners or wet mops, which may cause damage or warping to you floor. Plain water is best for general cleaning. Do not wash or wet mop the floors with soap, oil-soap detergent or other cleaning products not for use specifically for laminate flooring. Avoid steel wool, abrasive cleaners, or strong ammonia or chlorine bleach type chemicals. It is a good idea to periodically clean the floor with a cleaning product made specifically for laminate flooring, but isn’t necessary every time.
Ceramic or Stone Tile Floors
After vacuuming the loose dirt, clean tile floors with a solution of hot water and mild detergent using a chamois or microfiber mop or rag. A sponge mop will drag and deposit the dirt into the grout in between the tiles, so it is best to avoid this type of mop. Make sure to change your bucket of hot water frequently so you aren’t redepositing dirt from your water back onto the tile surface, which may make the floor look cloudy and dull when dried. Any spills or sticky substances can be scrubbed with a microfiber cloth and very hot water, or scraped with a plastic scraper or nylon-bristled brush. Avoid abrasives and harsh chemicals.
Your hard floor surfaces will shine, making your whole house look great.
