Flooring is an essential part of any place, both for its functionality and enhancing the aesthetic. However, when it comes to flooring maintenance, we often overlook the importance of proper floor care.
Whether it is residential flooring or commercial flooring, outdoor flooring or indoor, neglecting routine floor maintenance will not just compromise its beauty but also lead to permanent damage. What’s more, damaged flooring can be a safety hazard and will cost you money, time, and energy to get your flooring replaced or repaired.
In this article, first, we will discuss the importance of proper floor maintenance, and then we will review the right ways to clean and care for the most popular flooring types, including hardwood flooring, vinyl flooring, laminate flooring, carpet flooring, and ceramic tile flooring.
If your flooring is already damaged, you can count on us for affordable and professional flooring replacement and repair services in Manchester, NH.
What Happens If You Do Not Maintain Your Flooring Properly?
There are various reasons for preventing floor damage and keeping the flooring in its top-notch condition. If you neglect flooring maintenance, you will face the following flooring issues soon.
Regular Maintenance Prevents Flooring from Wear and Tear
Wear and tear on the flooring surface is a common problem, especially in high-traffic areas, such as stores or kitchens. There will be a lot of dents, scratches, and damages over time if you do not follow a regular floor maintenance schedule.
Neglecting Your Floor Reduces Its Lifespan and Property Value
Any lack of care for the flooring, such as accumulation of dirt, use of unsuitable floor cleaning products, or overlooking floor issues, will reduce its durability and strength. As a result, you will need a costly flooring replacement or repair.
In addition, as flooring is a very important part of a property, poorly maintained flooring means your property will not be as valuable as you would expect when you want to rent it out or sell it.
Damaged Flooring Poses Safety Hazard
Damaged flooring can lead to different safety and health issues. For example, if there is any loose plank or tile in your store and somebody trips and falls, you are in for legal action. Or, at home, a loose tile in the bathroom or stairs can lead to injuries for children and seniors.
Untreated Stains May Lead to Permanent Discoloration
No matter how careful we are, spills happen, especially in commercial areas or the kitchen. What matters is how quickly we treat the spill to reduce the risk of permanent stains and discoloration on the flooring. This is because the longer it stays on the flooring, the more it is absorbed by the flooring material. Therefore, the resulting stain will become very difficult to remove.
Too Much Moisture Causes Health Risks
Some flooring types, such as carpet or wood, cannot take a lot of moisture. If the spills are not dried immediately, the flooring becomes an ideal place for mold growth. This can pose a lot of health risks for the residents, especially kids and the elderly.
Neglected Floors Spoil the Overall Aesthetic Appeal
Last but definitely not least is the matter of beauty and style. Flooring plays a big role in the overall beauty and style of your place. Neglected floors lose their good shape and color after a while and ruin the whole décor.
So, to put it in a nutshell, a lack of DIY flooring maintenance means your place will soon become dangerous, unhealthy, unattractive, and cheap. When it reaches this state, the only option would be flooring replacement or a costly flooring repair.
To avoid this, follow the simple flooring maintenance guide below.
Most Popular Types of Flooring and Their Maintenance
Best practices in floor maintenance depend mainly on the materials the flooring is made of. That is why, for each type of flooring, you should follow its own cleaning and maintenance guidelines to ensure its longevity and good appearance for years to come.
Let’s explore floor care essentials for the 5 most popular flooring types; Hardwood flooring, carpet flooring, vinyl flooring, laminate flooring, and ceramic tile flooring.
Hardwood Floor Cleaning Tips and Maintenance
There are different kinds of hardwood flooring, but most of them need the following care.
- Remove dirt, dust, and debris regularly with a soft-bristle broom or a vacuum cleaner to avoid scratches. The vacuum cleaner must have a hardwood floor attachment.
- Do not let any moisture seep into the wood. Wipe up any spill immediately with a damp cloth or mop. Do not use too much water to clean the spills.
- Use proper hardwood floor cleaning products that are pH-neutral. Avoid any harsh chemicals that can erode the floor and strip away the finish layer.
- Use doormats, rugs, and runners in entryways and other high-traffic areas, such as the kitchen (especially at the foot of the sink).
- Be careful when moving furniture. They can cause scratches and dents in the wood. But using furniture pads can reduce this kind of damage to a minimum.
- Any pointy or sharp things can make deep scratches, such as high heels and pets’ nails.
- Excessive expansion or contraction can be damaging. To avoid this, you should control the humidity and moisture. A humidifier and a ventilator can respectively help in dry seasons (areas) and wet seasons (humid areas) to control the level of humidity in your place.
- Inspecting and spotting flooring issues regularly is crucial. Keep your eyes open for any worn-out areas, scratches, dents, etc. You should ask for professional help to address these kinds of issues by repairing or refinishing the area.
- Refinish and apply a protective coating every few years.
Besides, you should always follow the specific instructions for your type of hardwood flooring. Usually, the manufacturer provides you with such guidelines.
Are you looking for a reputable flooring store in New Hampshire? Minuteman Floors in Manchester and neighboring cities is here for you. Call to schedule an appointment.
Carpet Flooring Maintenance and Cleaning
Carpets are made of various materials, such as nylon, acrylic, and wool. Each material requires a certain set of maintenance practices. However, regardless of its specific type, you should consider the tips below.
- Regular vacuuming is necessary to keep away dust, dirt, and debris. Vacuum once a week or more often if there are kids around. Besides, a twice-yearly deep cleaning is highly recommended to get rid of the dirt in deeper parts. A steam cleaner or a professional carpet cleaner can do the trick.
- To prevent stains, use doormats and clean spills right away. A cloth or paper towel can be used to blot the spills. If you need, you can also use a carpet cleaner. It is also better not to rub the place because the stain can spread.
- Protect your carpet flooring from wear and indentations by changing the place of your furniture and using area rugs in high-traffic places.
- Only use mild detergents that are specifically designed for carpet cleaning. Harsh chemicals can damage the fibers and color.
- Look out for loose threads. Do not pull them because the carpet may unravel. Just simply use scissors to trim them.
- A wet carpet is a suitable place for mold and mildew growth. Do not use excessive water when cleaning and make sure you extract the moisture or it can dry soon. The best thing to do is to follow the manufacturer’s instructions or get professional floor cleaning services.
Vinyl Flooring Maintenance and Care
Although vinyl plank flooring is low maintenance, it does not mean you should forget about the importance of floor cleaning and care.
- You should keep your vinyl flooring clean from dust and dirt by sweeping and vacuuming regularly. For deep cleaning, you can use a damp mop and a suitable mild detergent.
- Do not let the water run on the vinyl floor because the water seeps under the planks and can cause damage.
- Any abrasive and harsh cleaning products, such as bleaches and ammonia-based detergents, can lead to discoloration and surface damage.
- Wipe out spills immediately. Try to blot the spill with a paper towel or a cloth, and do not rub it. To remove older or stubborn stains, you can use a combination of warm water and vinegar. Let this mixture sit on the stain for a few minutes. Then, you can remove it with a cloth or a sponge.
- To prevent stains, gouges, and scratches, using doormats and furniture pads are recommended. Also, avoid any sharp and pointy objects coming in contact with the floor surface, including high heels and pets’ claws.
- Vinyl flooring surface can get easily damaged with excessive heat. So, do not put any hot pots or appliances directly on the vinyl floor. Even sunlight can lead to discoloration. Therefore, using curtains and blinds is necessary to prevent the vinyl plank from fading.
- Make sure you take care of loose planks, tears, and any other damages immediately.
Read ‘Everything about Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring’ for more detail on this affordable and DIY-friendly flooring.
Laminate Flooring Cleaning Tips and Maintenance
Laminate flooring is made of different layers and each layer adds a new feature to it. So, taking care of your laminate floor depends on the type of laminate and its brand as well. Follow the instructions below and your flooring installer’s advice to keep it in good shape for longer.
- Avoid accumulation of dirt and dust by regular sweeping and vacuuming. However, you should use a soft-bristle broom or a brush attachment for your vacuum cleaner to prevent scratches.
- Most laminate flooring is not water-proof, but even if there is a water-proof layer, avoid too much water or any other liquids. Clean up the spills immediately with a damp mop or a microfiber cloth. For deep cleaning or removing stains, only use mild laminate floor cleaners or a mixture of water and vinegar.
- To prevent the surface from scratches and getting dull, do not use scouring pads, steel wool, and abrasive cleaning products. Besides, using doormats and furniture pads is strongly recommended to protect the floor from wear and tear.
- Do not drag heavy objects on laminate flooring, and keep it away from any sharp objects, such as pets’ claws, high heels, etc. These items can cause indentations and deep scratches.
- Repair any damages right away to stop the issue from getting more serious and becoming a safety hazard. Read ‘Issues with Laminate Floors’ to see if you can fix it or need professional help.
Ceramic Tile Care and Maintenance
Ceramic tile flooring is a strong type of flooring that can keep its fine look for years if taken care of properly.
- Only use a vacuum cleaner with a hard floor attachment or a soft-bristle broom to clean the debris and loose dirt. For a deep clean, you should use a mop with warm water. However, excessive water can damage the grout lines over time. Steam cleaner is also a good option for deep cleaning every few months.
If there is a stubborn stain, you can use mild cleaning products and tile cleaners to remove it. But try to clean the spills immediately to reduce staining. - Follow the cleaner’s instructions to avoid damaging your ceramic surface.
- Do not let the detergent remain on the ceramic floor surface for long. After applying the solution and removing the stain, clean it with water thoroughly.
- Any harsh chemicals, like bleaches, ammonia-based products, and acidic substances, damage the surface and the grout.
- The grout lines should be cleaned regularly with a mixture of water and baking soda or a grout cleaner. You can apply the solution with a toothbrush and after scrubbing the lines gently, clean it thoroughly with water.
- Using doormats, felt pads, and furniture pads, and avoiding contact with sharp can reduce scratches, dents, and stains to a minimum.
- For unglazed ceramic flooring, regular sealing extends its lifespan by preventing scratches and moisture penetration.
- Although ceramic is waterproof, prolonged exposure to moisture and water can cause damage over time. For places such as bathrooms, good ventilation can help you control the level of moisture.
If you are not sure what kind of flooring type to get for your place, call us for more information and a free quote.
Minuteman Floors’ Flooring Repair Services
As we were reviewing flooring maintenance for different types of floors, we saw that regardless of the flooring materials, spotting the issue and addressing the damages immediately is key to extending floor lifespan.
To get budget-friendly and professional flooring repair services in Manchester, Bedford, Hooksett, Goffstown, and Candia in New Hampshire, give us a call at (800) 315-2185. Our experts will give you an honest opinion about the damages and your options for repairing your flooring.