Different types of floors call for different cleaning methods. This article will detail how to clean hardwood, laminate, and luxury vinyl plank. Before we get into the cleaning let’s explain the flooring types and what they are exactly.
Hardwood floors have real wood surfaces and a wood base. Laminate floors have different layers laminated together with a picture on top to resemble wood. Luxury vinyl flooring has polyphenol chloride and it can be made to look like any finish. It’s waterproof but can scratch easily.
Do’s and Don’ts
-Always sweep or vacuum before you mop.
-Use a soft bristle brush when vacuuming your floors.
-If you don’t sweep or vacuum before mopping, it can scratch up your floors.
-Mop in the direction of the grain to avoid leaving streaks.
-Don’t use a steam mop.
-Use an appropriate type of mop like a flathead mop with as little moisture as possible.
-Clean up stains or spills immediately.
Luxury Vinyl
Don’t use detergent that has a high ph in it. No bleach or ammonia based products. No wood oil soap either. You don’t want to use anything that will leave a shine. Remember, less is more when mopping your floor. Be sure your floor cleaner is well diluted.
Here’s a recipe for cleaner:
2 cups warm water, ¼ cup white vinegar, ⅛ cup rubbing alcohol, ⅛ tsp dish soap, and 5-10 drops of an essential oil. Combine in a spray bottle and use on the floor to mop it up.
Hardwood Floors
First, find out if you have finished hardwood or unfinished hardwood. To find out, take a drop of water and put it on the floor. If it beads, your floor is finished. If it soaks in, it is unfinished. If you have unfinished floors you cannot use moisture on them.
The recipe for the cleaner is the same as luxury vinyl but without rubbing alcohol as it’s not good for floors.
Laminate
Like hardwood floors, laminate floors don’t like moisture. If you use the wrong product, the floor can get really streaky. You want to avoid any soapy detergent.
Here is the recipe for cleaner:
2 cups warm water, ½ cup white vinegar, ½ cup rubbing alcohol, and 5-10 drops of your favorite essential oil.
Make sure to follow this cleaning guide and clean your floors at least once or twice a month. Your clean house isn’t complete without clean floors. It may be tempting to want to use a uniform cleaning method across the board in all rooms, but it may ruin your floors. Ruining your floors with improper cleaning methods will only cost you in the end.
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