The Best Way to Clean and Care for Hard Surface Floors

 
Hard surface floors are typical in every home. They include your hardwood floors, laminate floor, tile and grout. Most homeowners love to maintain the impeccable integrity of their floors, but this is hardly possible if you do not know how to manage them. Proper maintenance consists mainly of your cleaning methods and routine.

At Glimmr, where we offer professional cleaning services in London our team is equipped and experienced in cleaning hard surface floors. We will be sharing the best ways to clean and care for those beautiful hard surface floors.

As a general rule, all floors should be vacuumed and swept with a broom or dust mop. After this regular first step, you can proceed with further cleaning for specific floors.

 

1. Hardwood Floors

Hardwood floors are made from wood but what really differentiates them is the finishing. Wood finish comes in various forms, and this major factor influences your cleaning and care routine for the floors. After the regular vacuum and sweeping, you can deep clean your hardwood floors periodically.

To deep clean your hardwood floors you will need a wood floor mop and wood floor cleaner. Some people prefer to use a steam mop for its deep cleaning effect, but it is ideal to take a more gentle approach to avoid even the least damage to the floor.

Purchase a commercial wood floor cleaner that is non-toxic and eco-friendly. Dilute the cleaner with water according to the manufacturer’s instructions and dampen the mop with the water. Be sure to avoid standing water on the floor as you wring the mop and clean.

If you prefer the natural option of making your own hardwood cleaner then use a standard kitchen material: vinegar. Vinegar is especially suitable because it effectively cleans most stains and does not damage wood floors.

You will need:
• ½ cup of Vinegar
• 1 gallon of water (preferably warm)
• 2 drops of essential oils (optional)

Mix the materials above together in a bowl and use as your hardwood cleaner.

Care of Hardwood Floors:

• When cleaning hardwood floors mop up excess liquids immediately to prevent damage to the wood surface
• Use distilled water to rinse the floors and avoid streak and residue from hard water.
• Use rug or floor protector materials to prevent marks on hardwood floors from furniture.
• Always consider your wood floor’s finish before trying to remove marks or stains. Never use harsh chemicals or rough materials like sandpaper on a hardwood floor. 

2.Tile and Grout

Tile flooring is beautiful, durable and relatively easy to clean or maintain. However, the real task lies in keeping the grout between the tiles clean. Grout has the tendency to get dirty and stained frequently. It can also be particularly frustrating because they are etched between the tiles and present difficulty to deep clean.

The first step is to maintain a regular vacuum or sweeping regime to prevent dirt and grime from accumulating between tiles. The materials you would need to clean grout effectively are a toothbrush or grout brush and a suitable cleaner. Since grout houses tough stains you might need strong cleaners too. You can always purchase a commercial grout cleaner but most times various home recipe work just fine.

Home recipe for cleaning grout:

• Use baking soda or vinegar

Mix 3 part baking soda and 1 part water to form a paste you can apply on grout lines. Scrub the grout with the brush to remove stains and dirt.

Mix 1 part vinegar with 1 part warm water in a spray bottle. Spray along the grout lines as you scrub with the brush.

It is important to note that vinegar can react with certain natural stones like marble or limestone. Therefore, if your tile is such, using baking soda paste is preferable. Also as a precaution always wear gloves while working closely with any of these cleaners.

• Use baking soda and vinegar

For a much stronger grout cleaner use a mixture of baking soda and vinegar. Apply the baking soda paste to grout lines and spray the vinegar mixture on it. You would immediately notice bubbling which confirms that the cleaner is taking effect. Wait a few minutes for the solution to stop bubbling before scrubbing with the brush.

You can also use other materials like oxygenated or chlorinated bleach, hydrogen peroxide, or a combination of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide. After scrubbing the grout clean, you can then clean the entire tile floor with warm water, dish soap, and a mop or cloth. A steam cleaner is also suitable for cleaning a tile floor.

Care of Tile and Grout

• Avoid placing materials on the floor that can scratch or mark the surface.
• Tackle stains immediately to prevent them from setting.
• Sweep or vacuum frequently to reduce accumulation of dirt and grime

If your tile and grout are particularly messy or you are too busy to clean them effectively, you can book the cleaning service of the best professional cleaners in London at Glimmr. 

3. Laminate Floors

Laminate floors are naturally durable and easy to clean. They are unique in their similar appearance to hardwood floors. However, when it comes to laminate flooring, you have to choose your cleaners wisely as the floors can retain a sticky film that attracts dust and dirt quickly.

Homemade cleaners are the safest option to clean laminate floors. You will need equal parts of vinegar and warm water. Mix the solution with about 2 tablespoons of mild dish soap. Clean the floors using a suitable mop. Do not use an overly wet mop but wring and ensure it is adequately damp. Dry with a microfibre cloth to eliminate streaks.

Care of laminate floors

• Avoid using harsh materials to clean laminate floors
• Mop up stains as soon as they appear
• Ensure the room is well ventilated when you clean laminate floors
• Avoid any type of buffing or polishing machine on your laminate floors

A professional cleaning company will provide you with the best cleaning service in London to keep all hard surface floors beautiful and clean. Book our service today!