Many of us go into hibernation during the course of the winter months and that can leave your home feeling a little stale. Clutter starts to build up, it may have even started over the past holiday season, with all the new gadgets. Not only can clutter take over, but certain household chores may get put on hold. The dirt and dust don’t just hurt the appearance of your home, they also increase your risk of health problems such as allergies and congestion. So, instead of waiting for spring, start cleaning right away.
There are many things you could tackle – the dusting, cleaning out the fridge, organizing the cabinets, etc. But, there’s one other that we don’t want you to miss. That’s your flooring maintenance.
You may vacuum and sweep your floors twice a week. But, we’re challenging you to take it a step further by getting to know more about flooring maintenance. Because better maintenance can help improve the longevity of your floors, plus a dirty floor isn’t a good look.
Use these tips to get and keep your floor looking great:
1. Carpets: Vacuuming isn’t the only way to keep your carpets in good shape. You should also have a spot and spill removal solution available for when accidents happen. You should also get an overall cleaning periodically. If you’re looking to replace your flooring with new carpet, choose a carpet that utilizes R2X, Shaw’s breakthrough technology to help carpet resist soil and stains. Also, keep in mind, you can reference the manufacturer’s warranty for specific care requirements.
2. Hardwood flooring: You should be blotting up spills and spots as soon as they happen with a damp cloth. If you have tough spots, caused by things such as oil, paint, markers, lipstick, ink, tar, or cigarette marks, you can use acetone/nail polish remover on a clean white cloth, then wipe with a damp cloth. You’ll want to sweep, dust or vacuum your floor regularly (with the hard floor attachment – not the beater bar). Also, on occasion, make sure to wipe the floor with a damp mop or cloth. You can periodically clean the floor with R2X Hard Surfaces Flooring Cleaner from Shaw’s line of floor covering care products as well. When cleaning your floor, make sure you avoid using oil-based, wax, polish or strong ammoniated or abrasive cleaners on it. You should also avoid steel wool or scouring powder. Don’t wash or wet-mop the floor with soap, water, oil-soap detergent or any other liquid cleaning material. And, don’t use a buffing machine on your hardwood flooring. If you have spots of candle wax or chewing gum, harden the spot with ice and then gently scrape it off with a plastic scraper (you can even try a credit card). Be careful not to scratch the flooring. Wipe the area clean with a damp cloth. If you have tough stains to remove, use Shaw’s R2X Hard Surfaces Flooring Cleaner. When you have your floor all cleaned up, it’s a good idea to add protective mats at the entryway, that way you can help catch some of the debris from ending up on your flooring. You can also use floor protectors on the leg bases/rollers of your furniture to help protect your flooring further. Also, rearrange your furniture and rugs periodically so the flooring can age more evenly.
3. Luxury Vinyl Planking (LVP): You probably sweep your floors regularly and wipe up spills as soon as possible. But, did you know, it’s also a good idea to clean your floors using Shaw R2X Hard Surfaces Flooring Cleaner? Simply spray the cleaner on the floor and use a dry mop. For spills, use Shaw R2X Hard Surfaces Flooring Cleaner and wipe clean with a dry white cloth. No rinsing necessary. Avoid using steam on LVP as well. And, if you vacuum, don’t use one with a beater bar or brush.
4. Tile: When cleaning your tile, make sure to check the tile floor warranty for specific care requirements. Beyond sweeping and wiping up spills, you’ll also want to use a damp mop with a recommended cleaner. Make sure the cleanser you use is a neutral pH compatible with grout cleaning. Never use detergent or soap, which can dull the surface or promote mildew growth. Cleaners should never contain acids, vinegar, chlorines, or ammonia. These chemicals can damage and discolor both the grout and the stone or tile. You can help protect your flooring by adding protective mats in entryways and putting pads under furniture legs.
You may have several cleaning projects on your list – the weekly to-dos and the occasional tasks. But, in the midst of everything you have to do, don’t miss the flooring. Regularly maintaining your carpets, tile and hardwood will extend its life and keep your home inviting and beautiful. If you have questions or need any additional help, you can reach out to our team at any time.