The Dos and Don'ts of Cleaning Different Floor Surface Types

Not everyone knows that cleaning solutions and techniques which work amazingly for one floor type can be disastrous for others! This is something you may need to be particularly aware of when cleaning a house for the first time, or after a renovation.

Read on to find out about how to give all your floor surfaces the perfect spa treatment, whether they crave acidic cleaners, soft brush heads, a thorough mopping every week or no water exposure at all. Different types of stone, plastic, and wood have such different requirements, it’s wise to revise before getting your mop out.

Hardwood flooring

Do- 

• Find out the finish of your floor (whether it’s unfinished, been waxed or oiled, or been treated with polyurethane) before your first clean
• Sweep your floor regularly to dispose of debris
• Vacuum the area with a soft brush head when needed
• Mop the surface using a damp (not wet) mop head and mild detergent after liquid or sticky spills
• Remember to re-treat oil finished wooden floors to replenish the seal

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Don’t-

• Allow pools of water to sit on wooden flooring during or after cleaning
• Steam clean hardwood floors
• Use abrasive cleaning products on the wood, especially if it has a lacquered finish
• Use hard vacuum heads that may scratch your floor

Laminate

Do-

• Regularly sweep or vacuum the surface
• Mop the surface at least every 2 months with a damp (not wet) mop head

Don’t-

• Let stains or water sit on the floor (they can cause damage such as bubbles or seam-splitting over time)
• Expose the laminate to harsh, scratchy treatment such as your pet’s claws or cleaning with steel wool
• Use wax, polish, or oil-based cleaners on laminate floors

Vinyl flooring

Do -

• Wet mop and rinse the floor if it becomes visibly dirty or sticky, using a mild detergent or diluted vinegar and replacing water whenever becomes cloudy. Dry thoroughly afterwards
• Brush with a soft broom or vacuum the floor at least twice a week

Don’t -

• Use wax paste polishes as these can leave a cloudy residue
• Use scratchy brushes and vacuum heads as vinyl scuffs easily

Porcelain or Ceramic Tiles

Do -

• Sweep to get rid of dry debris before scrubbing the floor with a rag and mild detergent, then rinsing the floor
• Use a baking soda or vinegar solution to scrub the grout between tiles with an old toothbrush
• Dry the floor with a clean cloth after a wet wash to prevent water spots

Don’t - 

• Use a sponge mop to clean, as these can push more dirt into the grout
• Use a steam cleaner on tiled floors with old or damaged grout

Concrete Floors

Do - 

• Deep clean unsealed concrete at least once per year
• Regularly clean interior concrete surfaces which have been polished, sealed, painted, or stained at least once per week

Don’t -

• Let rust or mould sit on the surface of the floor for any time as this can be particularly corrosive
• Use acidic cleaner on the sealed concrete surfaces as this can break down the sealant

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Lino (or linoleum)

Do - 

• Dust the flooring every day
• Wipe clean with lukewarm water and washing up liquid once per week
• Use liquid wax on linoleum floors to add extra shine (make sure to follow all product instructions carefully)

Don’t-

• Use ammonia-based or acidic cleaners, as they can damage this flooring material
• Use the soft brush vacuum head, the hard floor attachment will give you much better results on lino

Marble

Do - 

• Use a soft, dry mop to sweep marble floors rather than a broom
• Use PH-neutral detergent to avoid damage to the surface. Acidic cleaners such as vinegar can be particularly harmful to marble
• Test any new cleaning solutions in a small area before applying them to the whole floor

Don’t - 

• Allow marble floors to air dry after cleaning, as this can lead to staining. Instead, wipe them dry with a clean rag
• Use vacuums with rubber wheels on marble, as they can create scratches

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Conclusion

It’s vital to read up on how to clean different floor types before embarking on a clean. However, if you’re still not feeling confident on how to approach your new kitchen floor, or have a stubborn stain that just won’t shift, it might be time to call in the experts.

A Cleaning Surface have the equipment and expertise to tackle cleaning all hard floor types, from glamorous marble to practical lino. We’re a local, family operated business delighting domestic and commercial clients around Bristol, Cardiff and Bath. Get in contact with us today to find out what we can do for you.