Spring is just around the corner and with the changing season, comes everyone?s favorite activity?spring cleaning. If you think the task sounds dreadful, you are not alone. Most of us would prefer to think about an exotic spring break getaway or beautiful spring flowers, but our home?s floors won?t clean themselves. The good news is, if you maintain your floors throughout the year your spring-cleaning won?t be as daunting of a task. In preparation for spring, let?s show our floors some TLC. Here are some tips to get your floors in tip-top shape.
Tile
Ceramic tile is fairly simple and easy to clean. First, you should sweep or vacuum lose dirt, dust, pet hair and other debris. Tile only requires warm water to properly clean them, but you can use a manufacturer recommended cleaner. A sponge mop is not recommended for cleaning tile, as it can push dirt into the grout lines. For tough stains, we recommend using a steam cleaner for a deeper clean of both the tile and the grout.
Vinyl
Always vacuum or dry mop the floor to remove surface dirt, dust and hair before moving on to wet cleaning. Vinyl flooring is best cleaned by occasional mopping. A few capfuls of clear, non-sudsy ammonia and water is a safe cleaning solution to use. For stubborn scuffs, spray some WD-40 lubricant on a towel, and rub the area until the scuffs disappear.
Laminate
Your laminate my resemble hardwood planks or natural stone tile, but you still need to care for it as a laminate. The good news is very few things harm a laminate floor. When cleaning a laminate floor, it is best to use a wand attachment to vacuum the floor and remove dust and debris. Use a damp mop to remove stubborn stains. It?s important to wipe wet areas and allow the floor to properly dry, as laminate flooring can be very slippery after cleaning.
Hardwood
Hardwood floors typically have one of two finishes: polyurethane (sealed) or wax (unsealed). The type of finish your floor has dictates the cleaning method you should use. To clean polyurethane coated or sealed floors, we recommend using a mild or pH-neutral soap with water in a bucket. You should avoid acidic vinegar solutions as they will dull wood floors over time. The best cleaning method for waxed or unsealed hardwood floors is sweeping or vacuuming. When using a vacuum, you should use one with a brush or felt head to avoid dents and scratches. It?s important to avoid abrasive cleaners, as they can scratch and gouge the surface of the wood. A microfiber dusting pad with a fringe is ideal to help trap both dirt and debris. You should check with the manufacturer for a list of recommended cleaners.
Carpet
We recommend shampooing carpets at least one time per year to keep them clean and free of dirt, debris and allergens. Use a professional service if you are unsure about proper cleaning techniques.
Natural Stone
The cleaning method best suited for stone floors is determined by whether your floors are sealed or unsealed. First off, you should avoid using vinegar, bleach or ammonia on sealed and unsealed floors, as they are acidic and can damage the stone. Instead, for a sealed floor mop the floor using a pH-neutral, non-chelating cleaner that won?t react adversely to minerals in natural surfaces. If your stone floors are unsealed, it is best to use a microfiber mop and hot water, as chemicals will penetrate and damage the stone. A steam cleaner can be used to remove stubborn dirt and stains.
Hessler Floor Covering offers a vast selection of flooring options and never sacrifices quality for low cost. From carpet to hardwood floors, the Hessler team can offer advice on the best choices for your needs andprovide estimates for a variety of brands and products. We have three Southwest Florida locations to serve you ? Fort Myers, Naples and Punta Gorda. Visit HesslerFloors.com.
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