Proper Maintenance Tips To Have Great Flooring For Your Home

Your floors are the foundation of your home’s style and function. They take a beating every day, so proper maintenance is key to keeping them looking their best for years to come. Here’s a guide packed with tips to ensure your best flooring stays beautiful and functional.

Know Your Floor Type

The first step? Understanding what you’re working with. Different flooring materials have different needs. Here’s a quick breakdown of the most common types:

Hardwood flooring: Classic and timeless, solid hardwood flooring requires regular sweeping, occasional mopping with a manufacturer-approved cleaner, and protection from excessive moisture and sunlight. Engineered wood floors, a popular alternative, offer similar aesthetics with more stability.
Laminate flooring: Easy to maintain, laminate floors benefit from regular sweeping, damp mopping, and coasters under furniture to prevent scratches. They’re a budget-friendly option that mimics the look of wood or stone.
Tile flooring: Durable and versatile, tile floors (including ceramic tile, porcelain tile, and stone flooring) need regular sweeping or vacuuming and occasional mopping with a non-abrasive cleaner. For natural stone tiles, sealing may be necessary.
Carpet: Soft and comfortable underfoot, carpets require regular vacuuming, prompt stain removal, and professional cleaning every 12-18 months.

Explore our flooring store at Carpet Call or visit your local flooring specialist to get expert advice and see the different options in person.

Embrace the Power of Prevention

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, especially when it comes to flooring. Here are some general tips to keep your new flooring looking great:

Doormats are your friends: Place doormats at all entrances to trap dirt, debris, and moisture before they get tracked inside.
Take off your shoes: This is a simple yet effective way to minimize scratches and dirt tracked in from outside.
Furniture patrol: Use furniture coasters and pads to prevent scratches and dents. Regularly assess and replace worn-out pads to ensure continued protection.
Welcome mats, strategically placed: High-traffic areas like entryways and kitchen floors benefit from area rugs or runners to capture dirt and reduce wear on the underlying flooring.

Conquer Everyday Dirt and Debris

Regular cleaning is crucial for maintaining beautiful floors. Here’s how to tackle everyday dirt and debris:

Sweeping: Sweep or vacuum your floors regularly, focusing on high-traffic areas and corners where dust and dirt bunnies love to gather.
Mopping: For most hard surface floors, a damp mop is your best friend. Avoid using excessive water, and opt for a manufacturer-recommended cleaning solution. Remember, too much water can damage some flooring options.

Spills Happen: Act Fast!

Spills are inevitable, but their impact doesn’t have to be. Here’s the key: act fast!

Blot, don’t scrub: For liquid spills, grab a clean, absorbent cloth and blot up as much liquid as possible. Don’t scrub, as this can spread the stain.
Know your enemy: Different types of spills require different cleaning solutions. Address greasy spills with a grease-cutting dish soap solution, while sugary spills might require a vinegar and water mix. Always test any cleaning solution on an inconspicuous area first.

Deep Cleaning: When Regular Maintenance Isn’t Enough

Over time, even with regular cleaning, dirt and grime can build up. Here’s when deep cleaning becomes necessary:

Hardwood floors: For a deeper clean on hardwood floors, consider a professional buffing and recoating every few years.
Carpets: Professional carpet cleaning every 12-18 months is essential to remove deep-seated dirt, allergens, and revive the carpet’s fibers.
Tile and laminate: A deep clean with a manufacturer-recommended cleaning solution can remove stubborn dirt and grime on tile and laminate floors.

Sun’s Out? Not So Great for Floors

Sunlight can be a blessing and a curse. While it brightens your home, it can also fade some flooring materials. Here’s how to protect your floors from sun damage:

Strategic blinds and curtains: Use blinds or curtains to filter sunlight, especially on south-facing windows where the sun’s rays are strongest.
Rearrange furniture occasionally: Move furniture around occasionally to prevent sun bleaching in specific areas.

Tackling Pet Hair: A Never-Ending Battle

Let’s face it, pet hair seems to be everywhere. Here are some tips to keep it under control:

Regular vacuuming: Vacuum your floors at least twice a week, more often if you have furry friends. Consider a vacuum specifically designed for pet hair to maximize removal.
The right vacuum cleaner: Invest in a vacuum cleaner with a pet hair attachment specifically designed to capture pet fur.
Grooming: Regular brushing of your pet helps reduce shedding and, consequently, the amount of pet hair ending up on your floors.

Addressing Scratches and Other Battle Scars

Even with the best care, minor scratches and scuffs can happen. Here’s how to address them:

Hardwood: For shallow scratches on hardwood floors, a store-bought scratch removal kit might do the trick. Deeper scratches may require professional refinishing.
Laminate: Minor scratches on laminate floors can sometimes be buffed out with a soft cloth. For deeper scratches, replacement of the damaged plank might be necessary.
Tile: For chipped or cracked tiles, spot replacement is usually the best option.

Final Thoughts

So, there you have it! With a little know-how and these tips, your floors can become a source of pride and joy. Now that you’re armed with flooring knowledge, get out there and find the perfect match for your home!