Maintaining clean and well-preserved floors is key to keeping your home looking fresh and inviting. Each floor material requires specific care to keep it looking great long-term. By adopting professional cleaning practices and being aware of how best to treat your floors, you can extend their life and prevent costly damage. This guide provides expert tips on how to clean and maintain various floor types, offering insights into daily cleaning routines and effective care strategies.
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Step-by-Step Cleaning Methods for Your Floor Type
Laminate: Laminate flooring is popular for its durability and affordability, and for replicating the look of hardwood without the high maintenance or cost. However, while laminate is scratch-resistant, it’s not immune to water damage. If exposed to excessive moisture, the layers of laminate can warp or swell. As such, it’s essential to clean it using methods that avoid over-saturating the floor with water.
Start by sweeping or vacuuming the floor to remove loose dirt and dust. For a deeper clean, you might need to use a damp mop with a laminate-safe cleaning solution, but avoid using bleach as it’s too harsh.
Be sure to ring the mop out thoroughly to prevent too much water soaking into the floor and dry the floor with a clean microfibre cloth to prevent moisture from sitting on the surface. Never use wax, polish or abrasive scrubbing tools on laminate floors, as these can damage the protective layer and leave the surface looking dull.
Luxury Vinyl Tile: Luxury Vinyl Tile or LVT flooring is a popular choice for both residential and commercial spaces due to its durability, water resistance, and versatility in mimicking natural materials. It’s low maintenance, but regular cleaning is still needed to keep it looking its best.
As with laminate, begin by sweeping or vacuuming to remove loose dust and dirt. Once the floor is dust-free, mop using a cleaner specifically designed for LVT or a mild detergent mixed with water. For tougher stains, a soft-bristled brush can be used to gently scrub away marks without damaging the surface. It’s important to avoid abrasive cleaners or tools that could scratch the floor.
After mopping, ensure the floor is dried to prevent any moisture from seeping into the seams. While LVT doesn’t require sealing, regular cleaning will help maintain its appearance and durability.
Carpeted Floors: Carpet is loved for its warmth and comfort, but it can be challenging to keep clean. Without regular vacuuming, carpets can accumulate allergens and odours, so it’s important to consider this when considering which flooring you need for your home. Carpets also tend to show wear in high-traffic areas so it’s important to choose the right colour and type of carpet for the area of the home.
Carpets demand a different type of care compared to hard surfaces. Regular vacuuming is essential to keep carpets clean and free of dust, allergens and dirt that can get trapped in the fibres. Aim to vacuum high-traffic areas at least twice a week and less-used areas once a week. For spills, blot the area immediately with a clean cloth to absorb as much of the liquid as possible, then, treat the stain with a carpet-safe cleaner, following the manufacturer’s instructions.
Be sure to avoid scrubbing, as this can damage the pile and spread the stain further. For long-term maintenance, deep clean your carpets every six to twelve months using a carpet cleaner or professional service which helps remove deep-seated dirt and refreshes the carpet’s appearance.
Keeping your floors clean and well-maintained requires consistent effort and the right techniques, but it’s easier than many people realise once you know how to clean the material in the right way. Whatever type of floor you have in your home, using the correct cleaning methods and tools will ensure they remain in pristine condition. By following these professional tips and avoiding common mistakes, you can enjoy beautiful, long-lasting floors in every room of your home.
If you’re looking to refresh your home with new floors, or you’d like expert advice on how best to care for your floors, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us here at Greg Stone Flooring.
