We’ve all spent much money on our homes already, so we want to preserve its new-like appearance for a long time. Our floors represent a large part of both the functionality and the emergence of our space, so it’s no wonder we want the best for them. Even if your floor looks amazing just after it is installed, to make sure this sleek appearance lasts, you have to take ample care of it, the definition of which highly varies depending on what kind of flooring you have. Here are some of the most common flooring types and tips for making sure they look fresh for a long time.
Hardwood
Most people prefer to have hardwood flooring because its appearance is difficult to rival. Hardwood is pretty resistant – which is one of the reasons why it’s popular and expensive, so you don’t really have to worry about spills. Just clean them up immediately, and they probably won’t leave a mark. What you should mind, though, is leaving scratch marks on your hardwood floor since this sleek material is not cheap, so you want to make sure it won’t wear out fast. One of the options you have is placing a few rugs here and there, for instance, under your sofa and coffee table. Another great solution is securing a piece of feeling to all of your furniture legs – especially those that you often move, such as chairs. When cleaning your hardwood floor, being regular is critical. Sweep your floor daily or every other day, and steer clear of using too much water when cleaning it, as water can cause damage. Use hardwood cleaner once a week and a wax product to polish it regularly.
Laminate
Laminate is a pretty sturdy flooring choice that will retain its color for a long time. What you have to pay attention to when cleaning your laminate floor if you want to prolong its lifespan is that no water gets underneath the planks. Spills are best removed immediately as they can damage the protective layer of the floor. Dry mopping and vacuuming should do the trick when it comes to regular cleaning, while for spot cleaning, use a damp mop and some hardwood floor cleaner.
Vinyl
Vinyl is a popular choice as it’s not only more comfortable to stand on than hard tiles but it also looks great and is inexpensive. Vinyl flooring is also one of the most durable flooring materials that are easy to maintain, so you won’t have a problem finding the right methods to keep it in shape. If you have stain-resistant vinyl flooring, you don’t have to worry about spills, which can be a real life-saver if you have small children or pets. You can sweep or dry mop your floors every day to prevent too much dirt from building up. Another great thing about vinyl when it comes to maintenance is that you can simply use a vinegar solution to clean it, steering clear of harsh chemicals that would cause the material to wear out faster. When the time comes for proper cleaning, you can just add some dish soap to your vinegar solution. Sooner or later, you will inevitably get scuffs on your vinyl flooring, but to remove those, you can use jojoba oil or a cleanser for the purpose.
Porcelain tiles
You most likely have tiles in your bathroom, and since that is a room that sees a lot of traffic, you might be wondering how to keep those tiles looking new for a long time. Cleaning the tiles themselves is not difficult – make a gentle vinegar solution with a dash of dish soap and clean them by spritzing them with a little liquid and wiping them dry one by one. What usually takes away from the beauty of tiles is when the grout starts to lose its initial freshness. A steam cleaner can help you in both removing the bacteria and making that grout look brand new.
Each flooring type has its advantages and disadvantages. To make sure your floors look great for a long time, always use the right cleaning methods according to their material!
Author Bio: Bella Ross is a content writer and a part-time foreign language teacher who loves to write about health, sport, history and home improvements. When not writing, I spend my time listening to music, going to different foreign language classes and doing yoga.”
Images source: pinterest.jp