Homeowner’s Guide: How To Clean And Maintain Every Type Of Flooring

Regular sweeping and mopping floors can uplift the look and feel of your house. It simply looks meticulously clean and inviting. However, every floor is different in terms of texture, vulnerability, and, of course, cleaning methods. Using harsh chemicals or excess water on hardwood floors can do more harm than good. Similarly, natural stone floors can’t withstand acidic cleaners or ammonia. As a responsible homeowner or renter, you need to be extra cautious when tackling stains and grime on your floors.

Whether its tile, vinyl, or hardwood, always conduct a patch test and use proven methods to prevent permanent damage or incurring hefty repairs. Here is a comprehensive guide on cleaning and maintaining every floor type using the most suitable methods, products and tools. It is good to prepare the area by removing heavy furniture pieces, the TV, and other items from the surface.

1. Guide to Clean Different Types of Hardwood floors

Hardwood floors usually have two types of finishes: polyurethane and wax. If the surface appears smudgy after rubbing across the floor, then it is a waxed floor. Have a look at the following methods to clean both types of finishes:

• Polyurethane hardwood: Mix ¼ cup of pH neutral soap with warm water in a bucket. Dampen a microfibre mop and wring out excess water before cleaning the floors. This can help remove stains while accelerating the drying process.
• Waxed Hardwood: These types of materials can’t withstand even a single stroke of damp mop. Therefore, the most effective method is to sweep and vacuum the surface on a regular basis.

Tip: You can hire professionals for a professional end of lease cleaning Canberra service to achieve spotless results at the end of your tenancy. They’ll clean all types of floors, walls, and crannies without giving you a hint of stress.

2. Use Vinegar Solution for Cork Floors

For regular cleaning, vacuuming with a soft bristled attachment can do wonders. It can help eliminate thick layers of dust, dirt, pet hair and debris, leaving the floors clean and gleaming. Also, act on spills and splatters proactively using a microfibre cloth. To tackle stubborn stains and grime, ensure you prepare a DIY cleaning agent by mixing one part warm water with a quarter part vinegar. Add a few drops of dish soap to achieve spotless results. Do not shake or abrasively mix to prevent suds. Next, spray the solution onto the affected area and gently mop the surface.

3. Clean Linoleum Floors with Castile Soap

Linoleum is one of the most delicate flooring types, made from linseed oil, wood fibre and limestone. Avoid using abrasive cleaners or acidic solvents to treat stains and grime. Instead, mix a few drops of castile soap (plant based soap) with warm water and spritz a section at a time. Gently wipe with a damp mop to achieve the desired results.

Tip: Let the floor air dry completely. If the floor still feels sticky, mop the floor again.

4. Apply pH Neutral Cleaners for Natural Stone Floors

Do not make a cleaning blunder by using vinegar on natural stone flooring. It can itch the stone surface, causing permanent damage or discolouration. Then what works best? You should regularly sweep or vacuum all types of natural stone, including granite, marble, limestone, and sandstone, to prevent dust buildup. For effective stain removal, end of lease cleaning Canberra professionals use pH neutral cleaner on the floors.

However, if the floor tiles are unsealed, mop the surface with hot water. You can hire professionals for a hassle free steam cleaning service.

5. Regularly Mop Your Vinyl Flooring

Believe it or not! Vinyl is a low maintenance flooring choice among Aussies. It requires no fancy products, expensive tools and complicated techniques to tackle dirt and grime. Make sure you regularly sweep the floors or vacuum it with a HEPA filtered machine to prevent dust accumulation and improve indoor air quality. For deeper cleaning, use warm water and a liquid dish soap to mop the floors.

Tip: Keep your entryways clean to prevent the traces of heavy soil and grime inside your house.

6. Regularly Clean Porcelain Tile With Distilled Vinegar

Instead of using chemical based products or excess water, focus on dry mopping technique to prevent dust and grime buildup. You can use white vinegar solution with warm water to remove sticker residue, stubborn stains, and grease, from your porcelain tile floors. Spray it on the affected area and wipe it down with a cloth.

For grout lines, use baking soda and gently scrub with a soft bristled brush. Steam cleaning also does a great job of banishing stains and germs.

7. Rubbing Alcohol to Clean Laminate Floors

Laminate floors perfectly mimic the look of luxurious and expensive wood floors. However, it is more affordable and durable if cleaned properly. Using abrasive tools or excessive water can cause scratches or water damage to the surface. So, carefully wipe the floors down with a microfibre broom. Next, use a gentle cleaner made with one part rubbing alcohol, three parts water, and a few drops of dish soap.

Lightly dampen a microfibre cloth in this solution and spot clean the surface. Ensure there is no extra water on the surface. Ensure you dry the floors immediately to prevent warping or permanent damage. Similarly, maintain your carpet flooring regularly to prevent the buildup of grime, germs and unpleasant odours.

Note: Do not use wood specific polish to restore the laminate shine. This can lead to wax buildup, which is difficult to banish.

8. Pressure Washing for Concrete Floors

Concrete is known for absorbing water, cleaning solutions and oils. You can remove stubborn stains, grime and grease using the pressure washing method. Commercial sealers are also available to protect the surface from moisture buildup and dirt.

Before washing the floors, remove loose dirt with a broom. Next, deep clean the basement, driveways and garage floors with a pressure washer. It will effectively remove spilled oil, grease and grime in no time. However, if you are vacating a rental property soon, book experts early for a quality end of lease cleaning Canberra. The pre approved cleaning checklist includes all rooms, outdoor areas and hidden spots to retrieve your full bond money.

Tips to Clean Different Types of Flooring

Wrapping Up

Cleaning and maintaining different types of floors is no longer a test of patience. With the help of this comprehensive guide, you can use the right methods and products to treat specific types of floors. The best part is you don’t need fancy or expensive products to tackle stains, grime and grease. Use eco friendly products and keep your floors shiny like a pro.