The floor is one of the first parts of any type of structure to get dirty. From hundreds of pairs of feet bringing in all sorts of debris to food spills and other kinds of messes, floors really do suffer from a lot of abuse.
This is why it’s a good idea to hire professional cleaners to make your floor look like new again. You can do this yourself, of course, but you have to use the correct methods and products. Keep in mind that different floors require different types of care to prevent damaging them. When in doubt, call the experts to do things for you.
That being said, here are a quick list of some common types of floors and how to clean them:
Ceramic Tile
Many homes and small offices prefer ceramic tile floors because they’re both durable and affordable. However, the tradeoff is more frequent cleaning. This is because ceramic tiles can be easily scratched and the grout can quickly accumulate grime.
Fortunately, it’s easy to clean ceramic tile floors. The key is to sweep away dust and debris at least every day to prevent any buildup. If you have a vacuum cleaner, you can use it on the “hard floor” setting or its equivalent.
Then, once you’re reasonably sure that the floor is free from particles that can scratch its surface, you can proceed with wet mopping. Combine some mild detergent with some warm water and dip the mop into the mixture. Make sure to use light strokes, so as not to push any remaining dirt into the grout.
Speaking of the grout, you can clean it by using a paste made with some baking soda and water. You can use an old toothbrush to scrub away the dirt. Afterwards, wash thoroughly (the baking soda can scratch the tile) and dry with a soft, clean cloth.
Marble
Marble is gorgeous but it’s a porous material if left unsealed and untreated. As such, it needs to be properly treated before being used for flooring to prevent moisture and dirt from being absorbed into the marble’s micropores.
To clean marble floors, start by sweeping it with a soft broom to remove dirt and debris. You can also use a vacuum, but make sure that the bottom doesn’t scratch the surface.
After sweeping or vacuuming, you can prepare a mixture of a pH-neutral all-purpose cleaner and water for mopping. A pH neutral cleaner is necessary so as not to damage the sealant. You should also use a soft mop.
As a final note, make sure that your mop is only damp and not soaking wet with the cleaning mixture. You may also apply liquid wax for some added shine, but you have to strip this wax when it gets dull and then reapply it to restore shine.
Hardwood
Hardwood floors are quite elegant and can last for many, many years as long as you take care of them properly. Much like the other types of floors mentioned earlier, the first thing you need to do to clean hardwood floors is to remove the dust through sweeping or vacuuming. If you opt for the latter, make sure that your vacuum is compatible with hardwood floors.
For mopping, use a slightly damp mop with a mild cleaner. This way, the floor doesn’t get soaked and the liquids don’t seep into the material and cause damage. This is also why you should wipe off spills immediately from hardwood floors.
Carpet
For carpets, the best thing to do is to call the professional carpet cleaners to have your floors washed every so often. For regular maintenance, however, use your vacuum cleaner to pick up dust, hair, and other particles using the right attachments.
For small stains, start with spot treatment using the appropriate cleaner. Be quick, so that the stain doesn’t get absorbed into the carpet’s fibres. If needed, follow up with a quick pass with the vacuum cleaner.
Sealed Concrete
Caring for sealed concrete floors is quite simple. For daily cleaning, simply sweep or vacuum the dust away and you’ll be good. For some weekly maintenance, you can mop the floor with pH-neutral cleaners to keep the sealant intact.
Vinyl
To clean vinyl floors, the most important thing to remember is not to let any sort of fluid sit on it for long. Doing so will damage the lamination and adhesive, resulting in cracked, wrinkled panels.
For daily care, make sure to wipe off spills ASAP. Then, sweep the floor with a soft-bristled broom to remove dust and debris. Follow up by using a mild floor cleaner that’s compatible with vinyl flooring. Use a soft mop, like ones made from microfibre, to prevent scratches.
Last but certainly not least, don’t wash vinyl floors.
Linoleum
What makes linoleum a practical choice for many is its low cost, as well as its resistance to mould and mildew. It’s also easy to care for. All you need is some regular dust mopping and the occasional damp mopping using an appropriate cleaner.
Every 1 to 2 months, you can also apply a floor polish and buff with a soft cloth or an electric polisher. This can help extend the lifespan of your linoleum floors.
Keeping your floors in great shape is relatively easy, as long as you know the right cleaning products and methods to use. Use this list as a reference on proper floor care to make your floors look good for years.