Are You Cleaning Your Floors Wrong?

The floors in your home take a lot of abuse. Wear and tear is inevitable, especially if you’re cleaning your floors wrong.

You might think all you need is a vacuum, broom, or a mop to keep floors clean. But if you’re not careful, you can seriously damage your floors.

Are you cleaning your floors wrong? We created this guide with three simple rules to follow for beautiful floors.

Choose cleaning products carefully

Most vinyl floors are the no-wax type and very resilient. Pretty much any general floor cleaning product is fine. You can even use a mild de-greasing product if needed to remove stains.

To clean stone flooring, your safest bet is a special stone cleaner. Be sure to dry the grout after cleaning to remove the soil that is suspended in the cleaning solution. The stone itself will dry quickly, but water will collect in the grout and the soil will redeposit itself there. Wiping will keep your grout cleaner longer.

A common mistake is cleaning hardwood floors with vinegar and water. The makers of wood and wood laminate flooring beg you not to do that as vinegar is acidic and can harm the surface of your floors. They recommend vacuuming first and then using a only a damp mop.  

Also, never use an eraser-type sponge to remove a stain from wood flooring as it will remove the finish as well as the stain. 

Use the right tools for cleaning your floors

Different types of floors require different cleaning tools and methods. Wood floors, for example, should be dust mopped or vacuumed frequently to prevent grit, dirt and sand from being ground in.

Wood flooring – especially wood laminate flooring – is moisture-sensitive. So be sure to wring out that mop well before cleaning. Note that steam cleaning is an easy, effective, and eco-friendly way of cleaning and disinfecting hard floors, whether they’re linoleum, tile, or hardwood. But, don’t steam clean wood laminate flooring as moisture from steam can cause the laminate to warp.

Vacuuming is the single best way to remove dust and debris from any floor type. However, you should be cautious of which vacuum cleaner type you’re using.

Beater vacuums are specially designed for use on carpets and rugs. The beater brushes dig into carpet fibers to remove dirt. For that reason, they shouldn’t be used on hard surfaces, especially hardwood floors, as they can scratch the finish.

If your vacuum cleaner does have a brush roller – or you’re in the market for a new vacuum cleaner for your hardwood floors – look for the option to turn it off. Also ensure that its wheels are made of rubber and not plastic or metal. Check BestVacuumExpert  for some tips and suggestions on the right vacuum models for your floors.

Don’t skip critical steps

First things first…get into the habit of cleaning rooms from the top down. This means dusting ceiling fans, tops of bookcases, picture frames, and windows as well as tabletops before you start cleaning your floors. Flooring should always be the last area to clean.

Before mopping your floor, vacuum to remove debris. Vacuuming is preferable to sweeping because it will remove more dust and dirt than sweeping. Even if you can’t see dust or debris on your floor, it’s there. So don’t skip this step,

Take the time to pick up small objects like coins or cat toys that could clog your vacuum cleaner. Make sure that your vacuum bag or canister is no more than 2/3 full before starting to vacuum. And clean/change your vacuum filter monthly for maximum performance.

Lastly, when vacuuming, remember that one pass is never enough. You’ll want to make at least 3-5 passes to ensure that you’re removing all loose dirt from your carpets and rugs.

When cleaning your floors, it’s always best that you use the right products, tools, and procedures. Well-maintained floors are not only more attractive, but also last for a long time.

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Meet today’s guest blogger: Liz is part of the content team at Best Vacuum Expert, sharing expert knowledge and best tips on how to have a clean and organized house.

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The post Are You Cleaning Your Floors Wrong? appeared first on Declutter Your Life with Donna Smallin Kuper.