Hard Surface Floor Cleaning Tips
Floor cleaning can be a tricky issue sometimes. Hiring hard surface cleaning professionals on a regular basis will keep your floors looking new and shiny. Often times we clean our floors for special occasions yet forget that hard surfaces take a beating daily. If you don’t schedule monthly cleanings, there are certain tricks and cleaning methods to clean all types of hard surface flooring. These couple of DIY floor cleaning tricks can keep your floors looking great between professional cleanings.
Wood Floor Cleaning
Tricks to Cleaning Hard Surface Flooring
Wood floors are some of the most common hard surfaces in people’s homes. Constant sweeping and mopping can often damage your floors further. Keep in mind the daily traffic of heels, toys and furniture that apply stress to the surface as well. Make sure to place a doormat in entryways since this can trap the majority of dust and dirt from entering you home and grinding into your floors. Many department stores carry name brand cleaning supplies and waxes that can be used on a regular basis. Make sure when purchasing a cleaner that it is made for the type of floor you own. Steam cleaners are a good alternative to chemicals. It cleans while making your floors shine. Homemade remedies of mild soaps can do the trick but many advise you to use vinegar, which can be very harmful since it contains acid. This over time will dull and sometimes eliminate the finish on your floor.
Laminate Floor Cleaning
Laminate flooring can be a cheaper alternative to hardwood floors and can be easier to clean. It is slightly harder to make a DIY cleaner for laminate. You should not use excessive amounts of water since over time it can make the ends buckle. High wax finishes can make it very dangerous since laminate can become very slippery. Steam cleaners can add damage as well since they apply high temps with moisture. Many brands today make a mop/broom/vacuum in one. This is good to use since it applies little amounts of moisture with a soft pad. Laminate shows dirt easily yet can be cleaned easily too. The good news is a professional isn’t always needed for this type of floor cleaning.
Tile Floor Cleaning
Tiles are often a lot more durable than laminate and hardwood floors. They are not as porous and soft which can make for a longer lasting floor. Grout can lead to problems in the future though. This is where the dirt and grime tend to hang out. A mild soap and scrub brush should be the only thing you need to clean your tile. Adding about 4 tablespoons to 2 gallons of hot water can be used to clean the tile, wash and rinse twice to ensure that no soap is left behind. Combining 1 part water to 2 parts baking soda can be used for your grout. Apply to dirty areas and let sit for 15 minutes before scrubbing with a scrub brush. Rinse and repeat as necessary.
Ceramic and Tile Cleaner
Ceramic Tile Floor Cleaning
Ceramic tile cleanings are similar to that of tile floor. You can use the same solution as mentioned before. The grout may be a little different in which 1 part ammonia can be added to the grout solution. Keep in mind that ceramic can be glazed or unglazed. Generally unglazed tiles mean that they are more porous and don’t have a shiny protectant layer on the surface. You may need to clean this tile more often, but make sure not to soak the tiles since they do not have this protectant coating.
Floor cleaning should not be a stressful thing. Often times we do not have the hours in a day to keep the home looking freshly cleaned. Easy home remedies and regular vacuuming and sweeping can keep your floors looking like new year round. When that time comes when you need a professional to clean your home and floors, don’t hesitate to find a local professional floor cleaning company near you.
