No matter how beautiful your home interior is or no matter how expensive and exquisite your décor is, a shabby floor can ruin everything. Don’t take a chance, keep your floor clean and well-maintained all the time. If you are wondering how, then, in this blog, gharpedia shares some amazing tips for different types of floor cleaning and maintenance. Below is the list of most used floors that we will be covering.
- Laminate floors
- Wooden floors
- Vinyl floors
- Stone floors
- Artificial grass
- Bamboo floor
- Cork flooring
- Ceramic flooring
Why is Floor Cleaning Significant Part of Your Home Cleaning Ritual?
The shine and hygiene of any type of floor can be managed only with a regular cleaning schedule.
Dos and Don’ts of Floor Cleaning
Here are some important tips to keep in mind while cleaning and maintaining your floor:
01. Know Your Floor Type
Not all floors are the same, so there are different cleaning methods for different types of floor. The cleaning regimen for wooden floors is different from carpet floors. Cleaning agents like lime juice, vinegar, specific oils, and liquid cleansers all work differently depending on the type of floor. Knowing about the right ingredients can make your floor cleaning an enjoyable ritual.
02. Stock up on the Right Type of Cleaning Ingredients
Harsh and easy-to-use cleaning agents promise instant shine and cleaning but they often end up causing permanent damage to the floor surface. If you want your floors to be clean, shiny and safe, invest in some recognised, mild, and dependable cleaning products that will suit your floor surface.
03. Set up a Cleaning Regime
As far as floor cleaning is concerned, having a routine and sticking to it can yield amazing results for you. Regular cleaning is useful for most floor types. But, if you are short on time, then periodic deep cleaning can also help retain the shine and overall look of your floors.
Check out this amazing infographic to make your house cleaning routine easy:
04. Be Gentle
It has been observed that people seek immediate results when they start following their floor cleaning schedule. But experts believe that your floors might not look their best in the beginning. The floor will begin to show its glory and sparkle with each passing day if taken care of perfectly. The experts advise to be gentle with your floors and not be disheartened if you don’t see results right away.
8 Different Types of Floor Cleaning and Maintenance Tips
01. Laminate Floors
Cleaning: Laminate might look like hardwood, but it’s not that tough. Clean laminate floors using a wet mop with homemade cleaning agents like vinegar mixed with lukewarm water. If you are using a commercial cleaner for laminate floors, then follow the mentioned instructions. Don’t let the stains sit on the floor; gently blot with a microfiber cloth or sponge.
Maintenance: The furniture should be best avoided on such surfaces. Doing so helps retain the laminate floor’s smoothness. Keeping soft castors under the sofa and chair legs can also help safeguard laminate floors. The scouring pad and scratchy scrubs are a no-no for laminate floor surfaces. Use doormats to keep the grit outside and not damage your laminate floors. Walk around with soft soles and avoid heels.
02. Wooden Floors
Cleaning: Sweeping daily and vacuuming weekly are a must for wooden floors. The regular cleaning schedule helps maintain the freshness of the wooden floor, no matter how many footfalls it receives per day. Never use a wet mop for cleaning wooden surfaces, as it might lead to swollen and damp surfaces, which make cracks appear evidently, making the floor look dull. The ideal way to clean wooden surfaces by hand is to use a soft, damp microfiber mop that cleans the surface softly yet effectively. Using a professional wooden floor cleaner once a month may be a great decision.
Maintenance: The beauty of wooden floors is long-lasting, but that’s true only when they are maintained with great care. The wooden surfaces retain moisture and expand in moist weather conditions. Hence, wipe away spills immediately and avoid using a steam mop. Lift furniture when making a shift instead of dragging it. Use furniture pads to avoid scratches on wooden floors.
03. Vinyl Floors
Cleaning: Vinyl floors are no different from regular floors, and sweeping regularly with a soft broom is the first way to maintain their cleanliness. If you want to vacuum vinyl flooring, then select ‘bare floor’ mode and then vacuum. The spray-and-mop technique is best for cleaning vinyl surfaces. Mix one fourth quantity of vinegar and a few drops of dish soap in lukewarm water. Spray this mixture in small batches and immediately mop the floor. For greasier stains, a few drops of alcohol with a soft rub can make things work.
Maintenance: Cleaning and drying properly is highly recommended to prevent vinyl floors from looking dull. In the event of a food or oil spill, immediate cleaning with baking soda can help retain the original shine of vinyl flooring. Never try steam cleaning. Avoid sliding and dragging objects over vinyl floors. Wear soft soles and keep doormats at the entrance.
04. Stone Floors
Cleaning: The stone floor needs a lot of care and a dedicated cleaning strategy to retain its charm. General DIY solutions and homemade cleaning agents do not work on the stone floors. Experts advise investing in a mild water-based cleanser to use on such surfaces. Mopping should be done at most once or twice a week.
Maintenance: Sweeping properly and regular mopping are the best recommended ways to maintain floor hygiene. Strictly avoid scratching, scrubbing, and mopping with harsh objects to maintain the smooth and clean texture of the stone floor. Experts suggest immediate cleaning of spills of any kind by using blotting paper and mild cleaners. Always make sure that the floor has been rinsed and dried using a soft cloth. Time-to-time re-sealing is needed for stone floors to look their best and stay protected from stains, humidity, and high footfalls.
05. Artificial Grass
Cleaning: Simply brushing your artificial grass floor once or twice a week keeps it clean and tidy. Use a medium-sized brush with soft bristles to clean your artificial grass floor. Brush the grass floor in the opposite direction of the grass fiber. When deep cleaning is needed, washing softly with mild soapy water is recommended. The dry leaves and other stuff can be removed with a blower.
Maintenance: Artificial grass floor is loved because of its easy maintenance. Do not keep hot items on or near this floor. Keep your furniture moving on the artificial grass to avoid permanent flattening of the grass. Gently brush the flattened grass floor, and it will get fluffy again.
06. Bamboo Floor
Cleaning: A regular cleaning schedule is mandatory for bamboo floors. Soft wiping with a carefully wrung mop is advised. Experts suggest avoiding vacuum cleaners on wooden and bamboo surfaces. Use mild cleansers that are wax-free and non-alkaline. Don’t spray cleanser directly on the bamboo floor; instead, spray it on the cleaning cloth and then gently mop on the floor.
Maintenance: Never use water for cleaning bamboo floor. Use slightly damp mop. Bamboo flooring is porous making, it is susceptible to liquid stains, so spills should be blotted up immediately. Always lift the heavy furniture while moving on a bamboo floor. The felt pads are a necessity for such places while installing heavy furniture. Keeping doormats on the entrance and taking off shoes before stepping on the bamboo floors help maintain hygiene and avoid scratches on a bamboo floor surface.
07. Cork Flooring
Cleaning: A pH-balanced mild cleanser and water solution is best suited for cleaning a cork floor. Always ensure that the mop you are using is properly wrung and is soft (microfiber cloth). Ammonia-based cleansers should never be used on cork floors. Regular vacuuming is recommended or sweeping with soft brush.
Maintenance: Cork flooring is prone to UV rays and scratching. You can prevent scratches by installing protection pads under the chairs and tables. Felt pads and non-staining glides can help maintain a scratch-free floor surface. If you intend to move the furniture, always place rugs or pads underneath to avoid scratches on the floors. It is better to use blinds or sun blocking curtains to protect cork flooring from UV rays. The outside dirt can be kept at bay with placing a doormat and doing regular vacuum cleaning.
08. Ceramic Flooring
Cleaning: Using a string mop is highly recommended for removing stains from ceramic flooring. Make sure that you mop the floor with plain water to remove soap residue. Scrubbing with a soft brush to remove grout and loose dirt is helpful in the long run. Avoid harsh chemicals like acids and ammonia-based cleaners.
Maintenance: If you have a ceramic floor, you’ll need to clean up the loose debris or vacuum it sometimes. The cleaning will ensure the ceramic surface is shining.
Conclusion
Every floor surface is different, and so are the maintenance methods. The different types of floor cleaning and maintenance tips provided here are effective ways to preserve your floor’s real nature and ensure that it lasts longer. Enjoy a clean, shinier, and more durable floor.
Here’s a video to sum up all the points mentioned Below:
FAQs
01. Which type of floor cleaner should be applied to wooden floors?
Wooden floors are delicate. Moisture can damage them. Opt for wooden floor cleaners that have no water or very little water. Softly wipe the floor before using any cleaners. Finally, ensure that the floor is completely dry.
02. How to maintain the cleanliness of delicate floors?
Delicate floors require a gentle cleaning regimen. Sweeping with a soft broom, regular wiping with a properly wrung cloth, and using mild cleaners are crucial for delicate floors. Using felt pads before moving heavy furniture and not using harsh scrubs or pads to scrub the floor can keep the floor scratch-free and bright.
03. How to know it’s time to upgrade my home’s flooring?
If your floor surface is showing signs of cracks and often remains dull despite cleaning regularly, it is best to invest in a professional floor upgrade. If only some small parts of your floor have been damaged, then replace only those areas.
04. What’s the best advice for cleaning regular types of floors?
Experts advise having a cleaning regimen in place for all floor types. Regular wiping and even using a soft broom to remove dust are mandatory to preserve the shine and richness of any floor surface.
05. Tell me some easy ways to maintain my floor’s cleanliness
Wiping is a must once or twice a week. Clean loose dirt with a soft broom. Invest in a mild cleaning agent to retain the shine and health of your floor.
We also have a dedicated article on floor maintenance. Check it out here.
Flooring Maintenance | Caring Tips to Floor YOU!
Author Bio
Ruchi Singh – Ruchi is a full-time freelance writer and editor working for national and international clients. In her free time, she writes short stories, poetry and inspiring ebooks. She loves to spend quality time with her family.
For any content writing requirement, you can get in touch with her at toruchi22@gmail.com