Add More Life To Your Floor
It’s a core structure of the house, sees some of the highest rates of abrasive action, and can make or break the decor of the rest of the indoor space. Just how much care is your floor receiving, and what issues can cause it to get damaged? Let’s look into these and more, including floor cleaning and restoration tips that will have your installation remaining vibrant all through.
- Wood floors
Here, we will focus across the board – pun intended, from solid hardwood floors to engineered wood floors. Here, routine dusting/vacuuming is needed. Abrasive dirt particles getting grinded underfoot are some of the causes of the wear and tear witnessed, especially on those frequently walked on areas, causing traffic lanes to form. When vacuuming, you should ensure that you use the right hard floor adapter for the task. Turn off the beater bar or rotating brush, as these will damage the floor finish. When it comes to the clothes to be used, it is recommended that you work with materials like microfibre. These are soft, and won’t harm the surface.
Steer clear of scouring powders, steel wool and other abrasive cleaners. These will ruin the finish and weaken the protection that the treatment provides. It is imperative that you work with a floor cleaning product that is compatible with the particular treatment that has been applied. For instance, a mistake like using wax on a polyurethane-treated floor will cause that finish to become dull, and also prevent you from being able to add more coats of fish later on whenever the floor will need to be restored.
Spills and pools of water on the floor should be cleaned up as soon as possible. This is because the steep moisture gradient will cause the wood to absorb the water, which can lead to swelling or even extensive water damage depending on the amount of liquid that is involved. In this regard, you should also avoid wet mopping the floor, and instead ensure that the mop has been wrung out.
Consider getting entry mats for the premises, where people are able to wipe off their shoes before walking into the house. This reduces the amount of gunk that is getting transferred into the indoor space, protecting the floor and reducing your workload during the floor cleaning. Floor protectors are especially needed under the heavy furniture, as those sofa sets, cabinets, and dining tables bearing down on the floor put a strain on it. Speaking of furniture, you should never drag the furniture across the surface. They should be lifted and carried in order to avoid risks of scratching the surface or digging out gouges in the floor. Note that the furniture will need to be rearranged periodically in order to even out the wear and sun’s effects.
- Tiles (Porcelain and Ceramic)
As is with other types of floors, routine sweeping or vacuuming is needed. Any broom used here should have soft bristles, and the vacuum needs a hard surface attachment, that way you won’t end up creating scratches in the tiles. The rest of the cleaning can be broken down into two main categories:
– Glazed tiles
You can use an all-purpose cleaning solution here, or a mild detergent that has been mixed with water.
– Unglazed tiles
These tiles lack the protective coating that the glazed tiles have. It makes them less slippery, but more porous – so extra care is needed during the floor cleaning.
When working on the tiled floors, it’s recommended that you skip sponges or sponge mops for the floor cleaning, as these have a tendency of pushing dirt and grime into the cacks and grout joints. Speaking of which, the grout’s absorbent nature will make it a grime haven – and will need additional scrubbing to get rid of the gunk.
To keep the tiled floors looking elegant – and preserve their structural integrity, they will need to be resealed. This can be done after every year or two, depending on how busy the premises are.
- Natural Stone Floors
The floor cleaning here is similar to that of tiles, with one key difference: these installations are highly sensitive to the pH of any products used on them. The pH balance needs to be neutral or mild, to avoid a case of the material breaking down. For instance, acidic solutions will dissolve the natural stone, such as marble.
- Vinyl floors (Sheet/LVP/LVT)
Right after the installation, foot traffic should not be allowed on the floor. Furniture should also not be placed on it. These restrictions are especially needed for the first 24 hours for glued-down vinyl.
Regarding the routine maintenance, a vacuum with a beater bar will be a threat to your vinyl floor. Chances of water damage here are lower, but if you leave spills stains on the floor for long then there will be risks of staining. Soaps and detergents can cause the finish to become dull, and vinegar should be avoided as well. Use floor cleaning solutions that have been formulated to be safe for vinyl.
Bring In The Pros To Care For Your Floor
Having a professional floor cleaning carried out once in a while will go a long way in protecting your installation. This deep cleaning involves the use of powerful solutions and equipment to get rid of those stubborn dirt spots and stains that are riddling the floor, as well as additional protective steps like polishing the surface and touching up the treatment products that have been used. Engaging with a professional for this enables you to ensure that the right agents have been used for your particular floor, breathing new light into it without putting the structure at risk. Moreover, the professional floor cleaning companies usually have a myriad of other services available, such as window cleaning, upholstery care, working on the gutters, appliances like the oven, all through to giving the house a top-to-bottom clean. Getting these done will revitalise the premises, protect your installation, as well as provide a healthy environment for the occupants of the household.
