Saturday, March 3, 2012

Hardwood and Vinyl Flooring Cleaning Tips

Here are five tips for cleaning vinyl flooring.

Leave a doormat in front of any entrances into vinyl rooms. A doormat will help rid your vinyl floor of it's two greatest problems: dirt and chemicals. Tracked-in dirt requires extra sweeping, and grit will act like sandpaper, removing the finish from your floor. And although you can't see them, chemicals from outside your home can stick to your shoes and then to the floor, causing possible discoloration.

Proper maintenance. The key to keeping any floor in good shape is to keep it clean, and linoleum or vinyl is no exception. Try to remove any dirt before it gets ground in, and your vinyl will remain in better shape for a longer time. clean (sweep and mop) the floor frequently; it is a good idea to quickly run a broom across the kitchen or bathroom floor daily.

Soap away sticky substances. If you have sticky substances (such as a spilled drink) on your vinyl floor, quickly mop it away before it can settle. Combine a squirt of detergent (one approved to clean vinyl flooring) with a gallon of warm water. Mop, then rinse with a damp mop.

Never attempt to spray away dirt with heavy-duty cleaners; clean your vinyl floor using the mildest possible method. Sweep or vacuum it routinely, and soak up any spills right away. To clean dirt that a broom or vacuum cannot, use a mop dampened with warm water.

Use the correct product. If you have no-wax vinyl that requires cleaning, wash it with a cleaner made specifically for no-wax floors (and always follow the directions on the bottle). If you have any questions regarding what product to purchase, never hesitate to ask the worker at the store you are buying the product in.

Here are some suggestions to keep your hardwood floors looking clean and new.

Sweep and vacuum the floors on a regular basis.

Place door mats in front of high traffic areas such as doors and kitchen sinks.

Make sure to clean liquid spills as soon as they occur.

Place floor protectors to the bottoms of chair legs and movable furniture to prevent scratching of the wood.

Clean the floors weekly with a hardwood floor cleaner (there are many varieties on the market); Spray the cleaner on a cloth then wipe the floor surface.

Make sure not to use excessive amounts of oil of water to clean the floor; and make sure to wipe up any water or oil applied quickly (or else warping can occur).