When it comes to cleaning your floors, it’s important to know that different flooring requires different ways of being cleaned. Dirty floors are something that every householder has to deal with – especially in rooms such as the kitchen and the living room where the constant flow of traffic takes its toll. Floors can easily get grubby with dirt and grime, so it’s really important that you clean them regularly to ensure that they last you a long time. Here are our tips for cleaning some of the most popular types of flooring:
Carpets & Rugs
Carpets and rugs are great when they are clean, but the minute they are grubby and stained they can be very unsightly. Treat any stains as soon as they occur, and make sure that you vacuum regularly. Every now and again, brush the carpet with a stiff-bristled broom. This will shake up the fibers and release trapped grit and grime. Then just go over it with the vacuum cleaner. You can use carpet shampoos every now and again for a thorough clean, and they will also leave the carpet smelling a lot fresher. Don’t over-clean a carpet or you will risk reducing its lifespan.
Laminate Floors
Wooden laminate is very easy to keep clean so it’s no wonder that it is such as popular choice with homeowners everywhere. A quick sweep once a day should keep it dust-free. Clean your laminate with a damp cloth or a mop, but avoid leaving puddles of water as this won’t do it any good at all. If there is a stain that you just can’t shift, then don’t scrub away at it – you will risk causing scratches and scuffs. Instead, call in a trained stain removal expert to do it for you.
Stone Tiles
Stone is another popular choice as it is so hardwearing. Depending on which color you choose, it is also very forgiving, so you won’t have to clean it as regularly. Wipe away any spillages as soon as they occur so that they don’t stain the stone, and use a vacuum and then a mop once every few days to keep the floor looking its best. You will need to make sure that the stone is regularly treated with a sealant (every couple of years) in order to protect it from damage.
Wooden Flooring
Hardwood flooring needs a regular sweep and vacuum to keep it looking good, and perhaps a weekly mop (but don’t allow puddles to form). You can polish the floorboards to give them that extra shine, and also protect the wood from damage, but don’t over-wax it otherwise you will get an unsightly build up.
Whichever type of flooring you have, the key to keeping it looking good is regular, gentle cleaning. Every few years it may be worth asking a cleaning expert to come in and give all of your flooring a proper deep clean – this will make sure that the flooring that you worked so hard to pay for lasts for as long as possible.
