Keeping your floors spotless is all about maintenance – especially if you have children or pets. One option is to hire a professional floor cleaning service to clean your flooring regularly, or you can do it yourself. Although the appropriate cleaning product and method will vary depending on the type of flooring you have, there are a few simple rules to follow.
So, whether you have natural stone or laminate flooring, here’s how you can keep them sparkling clean.
Sweeping and Vacuuming
While it may seem more convenient to clean your floors every couple of weeks, cleaning them every day or every few days is a better way to maintain them. Cleaning up dirt, dust, and debris before it accumulates won’t just keep your home cleaner; it’s better for your health too. Committing to a sweeping and vacuuming routine – especially when you’re cooking – is the best way to care for your floors. Over time, dirt, food particles, dust, and bacteria can build up on hard surfaces and even stain or damage them. You should vacuum and sweep your floors thoroughly at least once per week. For rugs and carpets, you should sweep and vacuum twice per week. Following a regular cleaning schedule will prevent your laminate, hardwood, and carpets from degrading prematurely.
Mopping Correctly
Mopping is an essential part of any floor cleaning and maintenance routine. However, you could damage your floors if you don’t employ the correct technique. Whether your floor’s material is hardwood, vinyl, or stone, don’t use more than a tablespoon of soap per bucket of water. Mopping your floors with a dripping wet mop can lead to problems, too. Wring the mop out thoroughly – too much water can cause your floors to warp, bubble, stain, and degrade. Replace the water in the bucket often to avoid grimy residue.
When your floors are installed, you might want to make sure they are made stain-resistant with a resin sealant. If your floors are not sealed, only use a microfiber cloth and hot water to clean them. Stone floors can be cleaned with a PH-neutral cleaning product, and you can use a gentle cleaner for vinyl or linoleum. Avoid using DIY vinegar cleaning solutions on hardwood floors and soap-based detergents on laminate. Steam-cleaning works well for hardwood, tile, and stone to remove stains – but don’t steam-clean laminate or vinyl.
Keeping Dirt Outdoors
One of the best ways to keep your floors shiny and clean is to avoid dirt buildup in the first place. Placing a doormat at every entrance of your home and enforcing “indoor shoes” rules are excellent ways to save time and prevent dirt from accumulating on your floors.
Using the Right Cleaning Product for Stains
Liquid spills can damage linoleum, hardwood, laminate, carpeting, and stone floors – so clean up spills as soon as they happen. When it comes to detergents, only use the cleaners and stain removers specified for your type of flooring. If you have stubborn stains and deeply-embedded dirt, consider hiring a professional floor cleaning service to take care of it.
Keeping Pets Groomed
While our pets are part of the family, they can bring in a lot of hair and debris. Brushing your furry friends daily and ensuring they are always well-groomed is the best way to keep hair and dirt buildup at bay. If your pet has an accident, clean it up immediately to prevent damage and staining. Keeping your dog’s nails trimmed to prevent wear and tear and having a towel ready by the door to wipe your pets’ feet will also help keep your floors pristine.
