Nothing is more satisfying than seeing a shiny floor after you’re done cleaning. Do your floors need a little love? Here are some tricks to give your floors the attention they deserve.
Hard floors, such as wood, tile and linoleum, can be a mixed blessing. They are much better for allergies, last longer and make your home warm and inviting. But they can easily show specks of dirt and — if not cleaned properly — unsightly spots.
Here are some ways to show your floors some love so they give you love in return.
Invest in quality products
Finding products that will remove dirt, wipe away grime and leave your floors feeling sparkly clean is essential in getting the most out of your floors. Dyson Hard, for example, is a cordless vacuum that uses dual suction channels and a wet wipe to remove both dust and grime in one action. It’s easy to handle and comes with a docking station for easy storage.
Stay away from harmful cleaners
Vinegar mixed with water is a great cleaning agent for many surfaces, but its acidity can damage the finish on hardwood floors if used in excess. Even mopping can warp your hardwood flooring — not from the cleaner, but from the excess amount of water — so use a spray bottle instead of a mop and bucket on hardwood floors. Vinegar does work well on linoleum and tile. One cup of vinegar to one gallon of warm water should do the trick.
Polish that wood
Hardwood floors enjoy a polishing occasionally, and it’s not a difficult task. Simply spray polish onto a mop and mop the floors as if you were cleaning them.
Clean up messes
It’s easy to forget a small spill, but doing so can warp your floors. Always clean up any spills right away. Even though the flooring might be protected with a coat of polyurethane, darker substances like wine can stain and water can cause the boards to change their shape.
Protect your floors
Furniture can scratch or scuff your floors, damaging its top layer. Pads that stick on your furniture’s feet allow you to move around your belongings without causing damage to the flooring.
If you have wood floors, chances are they are protected by a coating of polyurethane. Because the plastic in polyurethane eventually erodes over time, recoat your flooring with a new layer to continue protecting the wood. Before recoating, lightly sand the floors to maximize the polyurethane’s ability to adhere to the flooring.
More floor articles
How to deep clean your tile floors
How to clean wood floors
How to tell if your floors are really clean
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