Cleaning and Caring for your Flooring

VINYL FLOORING

While one of the biggest selling points of vinyl floors is their durability, you can enhance their beauty and extend their lifespan with proper maintenance. To best care for your vinyl flooring, you need to keep it clean. Sweep regularly. Use low-impact cleaners such as warm water and a mop, only adding soap when necessary. In bathrooms where hairspray or other beauty products may soil the floors, try using shampoo to remove stains.

Another key to careful maintenance is to protect your floors from furniture. Use floor protectors on the feet of tables and heavy appliances and apply felt pads to the feet of chairs. When you must move furniture in a room, create paths of plywood or soft cloths that protect it from scuffing the floors.

HARDWOOD FLOORING

Because of the many finishes found on hardwood floors today, it’s important to follow the manufacturer’s recommended cleaning procedures. Regular vacuuming or sweeping to remove abrasive grit and attending to spills quickly are the best maintenance routine. Sweep or vacuum regularly, since grit can build up and damage wood’s finish and surfaces. Be certain the vacuum is clean and does not damage the finish. The vacuum head must be a brush or felt type — do not use a vacuum with a beater bar head. Remove spills promptly using a soft cloth and cleaning products recommended by the manufacturer.

Wood is a natural product that require a zone of 30% – 50% relative humidity, and between 20-22ºC (68-72ºF).

OILED HARDWOOD FLOORS

After the installation of an oiled floor it is recommended that you vacuum to remove any dust or other debris that can damage the floor.

Wash the floor with warm, clean water with a well wrung out damp mop. Note: It is essential to change the wash water during cleaning to ensure effective cleaning and avoid transferring dirt. Finish by applying Wood Soap with the damp mop and let dry before any traffic.

Regularly sweep with a broom or vacuum or a damp mop. Every wash with the Intemporal wood soap. Maximum of every 4th washes with the Spray Revitalizer. To keep these floors beautiful long term a regenerating oil should be used once a year.

LAMINATE FLOORING

Generally, all that is required for laminate floors is vacuuming, dust mopping and occasionally a damp towel. For general maintenance, clean and remove spills as soon as they happen, as excess water can damage the surface and seep into the seams of the flooring. Use a damp cloth to blot the spill, then dry the surface thoroughly. Sweep, dust and vacuum your laminate floors once or twice a week. Use a broom with soft bristles and/or a vacuum with the hard floor attachment only. By performing a regular cleaning routine, you remove dirt and grit that can cause scratches or stains. If you have a major event coming up, clean your laminate before and after using a broom, soft cloth or vacuum.

Remove tough, stubborn stains such as paint, adhesive, asphalt, oil, etc. with alcohol, acetone or nail polish remover. Your laminate flooring should be cleaned periodically with a professional laminate floor cleaning product recommended by laminate flooring professional. Some manufacturers offer special cleaning and touch-up solutions.

Preferable temperature should be approximately 17-23ºC (62-73ºF) with a relative humidity of 45-60%. Humidity should never be allowed to drop below 30% as this may cause gapping.

TILE FLOORING

Proper maintenance of your tile floor will help maintain its fresh appearance. Ceramic tile requires very little maintenance. The tile surface is non-porous, very durable and highly stain-resistant. Ceramic tiles require minimal maintenance. Sweep thoroughly and mop with a clean damp mop. If necessary, a mild household detergent can be used. Do not use abrasive cleaners or brushes with hard bristles.

If there is a spill, be sure to clean up immediately. Use detergent in strengths recommended by their manufacturer, allowing the detergent to remain on the surface of the tile as recommended and rinsing thoroughly with clean water to remove the detergent and the emulsified residue. It is strongly recommended that you test a small area prior to using cleaning and maintenance products to determine if the product selected will serve its intended purpose.

BAMBOO & CORK FLOORING

Proper maintenance of your cork or bamboo floor will extend its lifespan and keep its fresh appearance. Protect your investment by establishing a regular care schedule. Sweep or vacuum regularly, since built-up grit can damage the finish and surfaces. The vacuum head must be a brush or felt type. Be certain the vacuum is clean and does not damage the finish. Do not use a vacuum with a beater bar head.

Remove spills promptly using a soft cloth and cleaning products recommended by the manufacturer. Never mop or flood your floor with water or other products. This can severely damage the flooring. Do not use oil soaps, liquid or paste wax products or other household cleaners that contain lemon oil, Tung oil or ammonia.

Bamboo and cork is a natural product that require a zone of 30% – 50% relative humidity, and between 20-22ºC (68-72ºF).