Cleaning Tips for Different Types of Flooring

admin • Jul 10, 2020
Cleaning Tips – Virginia Beach, VA – Custom Maid House Cleaning

Have you ever wondered if you use the right products to clean and maintain your floor? The first step to cleaning any floor is sweeping it regularly, but other than that, care products and techniques can vary depending on the type of floor. Discover some tips on caring for different types of floors in your home.

Wood Floors

Wood floors can be beautiful, but you need more information to care for them correctly. You have to first find out what type of finish your floor has, then find the correct cleaning products for that type of finish.

The two categories of finish are penetrating sealers versus surface sealers. Fortunately, if your wood floor is newer, it likely has a more trouble-free finish such as polyurethane or polyacrylic (which are surface sealers). To clean this type of floor, simply use a mild cleaner like dishwashing soap or wood floor cleaner.

The other type of wood floor (with penetrating sealers) will require regular waxing as well as very gentle cleaning with a mild cleanser and damp mop. If you're unsure what type of sealer your floor has, talk to the person who installed it or ask your professional cleaners for advice. Avoid using abrasive or acidic cleaners on any wood floors.

Tile Floors

Ceramic tile is one of the more common types of tile flooring. A ceramic tile floor is relatively low-maintenance, and you can clean ceramic tiles with a variety of mild cleaning products (test each product in a corner before using). However, you may want to use a specialized product for cleaning the grout, such as one that contains hydrogen peroxide.

Tile floors are beautiful and durable, but some of them require special treatments. For example, a slate or stone tile floor (which can provide a classic flagstones look) will need to be re-sealed every year or so. That's because slate is a porous material, and you don't want everything you spill on the floor to absorb right in and cause a stain.

Be careful what cleaners you use on natural (slate or stone) tile floors. Avoid any cleaners that include acidic or abrasive ingredients or oil. Ideally, use a reputable cleaning product designed for slate tile floors, since these are formulated without any substances that harm slate.

Laminate Floor

A high-quality laminate may be relatively easy to care for, but keep a few dos and don'ts in mind. Avoid cleaning the floor with lots of water, which can damage laminate. And avoid large amounts of steam (such as from a steam mop), which could have a similar effect. Abrasives, strong chemicals, and steel wool are also out.

You can use a solution of mild dish detergent as a cleanser when damp mopping your floor. Or, choose a cleaning solution made especially for laminate (but still use it sparingly, since a log of moisture sitting on a laminate floor can damage it).

Carpeting

Wall-to-wall carpet is another common flooring material. But the texture can make cleaning a carpet much more involved, since you can't simply wipe up spills cleanly like on a solid floor. A vacuum cleaner and a home carpet washer can help you keep your carpet clean day to day, and you can also use products such as dry carpet cleaning powder to keep it fresh.

You'll also need to schedule professional cleanings on occasion. Professional cleanings use more powerful carpet cleaning machines for a deep clean and can use steam to sanitize the carpet.

Depending on your schedule and how much time you have in your day for household chores, you may want to delegate some of these floor-cleaning tasks to your professional maid service. A professional cleaning service can include cleaning for a wide variety of flooring types, and your cleaners may even perform maintenance such as floor waxing for wood floors.

If you're in the market for a good professional maid service, consider Custom Maid We have a wide range of services, decades of experience, and trustworthy cleaning personnel. Get in touch today to learn more about our services, pricing, and scheduling options.

By Susan Helms 23 Jun, 2022
Why and how to clean my washing machine Did you know that your washing machine can collect dirt and harbor bacteria and fungus? There is a thin film created by soap residue, minerals and chemicals from detergent. This can cause a clog in the inner workings of your machine, your water won't be as hot and the film also traps odors. The tiny crevices in the drum and gaskets can collect mildew and bacteria from your clothes. They can also harbor fungus. If you have a top loader here are some steps to follow when cleaning : Wipe interior seals around the door with all purpose cleaner Remove debris around filter or drain Use 1 cup of white vinegar with 1/2 cup baking soda then run a cycle on heat If you have a front loader here are some tips to follow when cleaning: Have a small bowl or towel ready to catch any excess water Remove the filter from the small door on the front panel of the machine Shake over trash can and rinse out. Use 1/2 cup baking soda and 3 cups white vinegar to scrub inside the drum and rubber gaskets You can use washing machine cleaner which can be purchased on line if you prefer Remove the fluids dispenser to clean each tray with disinfecting wipes Wipe out the area inside where the dispenser is located with the wipes If you have a "clean cycle" run the cycle, otherwise run the largest load setting on hot We hope this has been a quick and helpful guide for cleaning your washing machine . Remember, your washer should always smell fresh not like mildew.
By admin 06 Aug, 2020
Summer may be a time when your home needs some extra cleaning. Read about a few of the reasons why summer is a good time for professional help.
By Admin 03 Jun, 2020
Some of the benefits of a cleaning service are hidden for one reason or another. Learn more about some of the lesser known advantages of cleaning services.
By Admin 04 May, 2020
Is your home clean? Even though it may seem neat, tidy, and well-organized, look at the questions to ask before you assume your home is at its cleanest.
By Admin 14 Apr, 2020
If you keep your home organized, your cleaning personnel can more easily do their jobs. Try out these tips for keeping your home office organized.
By Susan Helms 26 Dec, 2018
As a homeowner, have you ever asked yourself… What exactly should be cleaned in my bathroom… and when? Since we have been cleaning homes for over 33 years, we have often been asked about the quickest and most effective to clean certain areas of a home. So… We have created a helpful checklist: What you […] The post Checklist: What You Should Clean In Your Bathroom And When appeared first on Custom Maid.
By Susan Helms 12 Dec, 2018
As a homeowner, have you ever asked yourself… What exactly should be cleaned in my kitchen… and when? After cleaning homes for over 4 decades now, we’ve often been asked these same questions. So… We’ve put together a handy, yet descriptive kitchen cleaning checklist to help you out. What You Should Clean In Your Kitchen Every […] The post Checklist: What You Should Clean in Your Kitchen (and When) appeared first on Custom Maid.
By Susan Helms 22 Oct, 2018
More often than not the first question we are asked is “How much will it cost to have my home cleaned?”  There really is no set answer however I will try to give you some guidelines… a rough estimate so to speak.  When determining  your actual rate though, here are some of the many factors […] The post How Much Does Professional House Cleaning Cost? appeared first on Custom Maid.
By Alison Palmer 08 Oct, 2018
October is designated Breast Cancer Awareness Month but breast health is a year round concern. Any time is the right time for women to take stock and get into the routine of performing a breast self exam. The American Cancer Society recommends that all women begin monthly breast self exams by age 20 & should be done […] The post A Breast Self Exam is an Important Factor of Women’s Health appeared first on Custom Maid.
By Susan Helms 29 Aug, 2018
Hiring a house cleaning service isn’t just a luxury any more.  It’s a necessity in many homes these days. Households with dual incomes often means there is little time left to spend with family, let alone cleaning! To get the biggest bang for your buck, here are a few tips on how to get the […] The post How To Get The Best Value From Your House Cleaning Service appeared first on Custom Maid.
Show More
Share by: