There is no one way to clean your floors, simply because there are so many different types of flooring - even in the same house. In one room, you might have hardwood, in another, linoleum, tiling, carpet, and so on. And you wouldn't dream of applying the same cleaning methods to one type as to the other, would you? That could cause you to ruin some types of floors, of course. That's why we've put together this simple and clear guide to cleaning 8 different floors, so you can make them sparkle like new.
1. Natural stone flooring
To avoid completely ruining your natural stone floor, forget about acidic products like vinegar, bleach and ammonia. To clean stone. you will need to use a pH-neutral cleanser that will not overreact with the stone's minerals. Otherwise, stick to using hot water with your trusty microfiber mop. If there is an awful mess, use a steamer instead. The important thing is that you avoid using chemicals.
2. Vinyl flooring
Whether they are in your bathroom or kitchen, you will need to regularly clean your linoleum floor once a week. Luckily, it is very easy to do so. Make a mixture composed of 1/4 cup of vinegar, a drop of dish soap, and warm water, and pour into a 16-ounce spray bottle. Spray all over the floor and, using a microfiber mop or cloth, wipe the floor clean. For a deeper clean (every now and then) steam the floor, which will remove any bacteria and stains from your floor and grout also.
3. Linoleum flooring
Linoleum is not as tough as vinyl, since it is composed of fragile ingredients like cork dust, wood fiber, limestone, resin and linseed oil. The colors are added with mineral pigments. Therefore we need to take a lighter approach, as with stone floors. Simply add a couple of drops of dish soap with some hot water into a spray bottle. Spray over the floor and then wipe the floor clean with a microfiber mop or cloth. If the water is hot, the floor will quickly dry.
4. Cork flooring
Lovely cork floors really are something special, but also quite delicate. They are sealed to prevent water damage, which can be critical. Clean this floor type every week with a mixture of 1/4 cup of vinegar, a drop of dish soap and warm water. Gently rock the solution back and forth in a spray bottle, taking great care not to shake and cause suds to appear. As you spray each section, immediately wipe clean with your microfiber cloth. Whenever there is a spill, always clean it up straightaway, and remember to vacuum often.
5. Laminate flooring
Laminate floors may look like hardwood, but they should not be cleaned the same way. Do not put liquids or any polish on your laminate floor, because moisture is apt to creep into the boards, destroying the laminate itself. To clean laminate, use a dry mop and vacuum as often as possible. If a few spots seem in need of extra attention, you may use an ever-so-slightly damp cloth.
6. Hardwood flooring
Hardwood floors, beautiful as they are, require hard and careful work to keep clean. First, determine what the wood's finish is. Likely it will be one of two. If it is finished with wax, you will see a smudge as you run your fingers along the wood. For this finish, never wash. Instead, sweep, vacuum and dust-mop as often as you can.
If it is finished with polyerethane, try this mixture. Take a 1/4 cup of pH-neutral or mil soap and add to a bucket of water. With a damp mop, clean the hardwood, and then dry with a microfiber cloth. Another option is to make a vinegar mixture. Mix a little white vinegar and dishwasher soap with warm water in a standard wringer bucket. Again, with a damp mop clean the hardwood, and then dry with a microfiber cloth. Though be warned that this second option may dull your floor's wonderful shine.
7. Tiled flooring
Tiles are just as easy to clean as vinyl floors. Make a mixture composed of 1/4 cup of vinegar, a drop of dish soap, and warm water, and add into a 16 ounce spray bottle. Spray all over the floor and, using a microfiber mop or cloth, wipe the floor clean. For a deeper clean, steam the floor, which will remove bacteria and stains from your floor and grout.
8. Carpets
Carpets can be considered an entirely different type of flooring to the rest, so we recommend you read this article for detailed information on how to maintain your lovely soft carpets. However, for a great tip on how to quickly get rid of a sudden and unexpected stain, try this: make a thick paste using half vinegar and half baking soda. Then, dilute it with warm water to form a thin liquid. Using a toothbrush or sponge give the stain a good scrub. Another thing you can try is to buy a squeegee to rake out pet hair from your precious carpet.
