How to Take Care of Your Flooring

By: Macy Hallmark
Tile Liquidators

Summertime is in full swing and with it comes warmer weather, busier schedules and the kids being out of school, which can make cleaning more challenging. One way to keep your home clean this summer is proper maintenance of your flooring.

At Tile Liquidators, we understand flooring is a big investment and we want your floor covering to last as long as possible. So, we wanted to share some tips on the best ways to clean your floors to ensure the longevity of the product. The floors cleaning advice shared below were sourced straight from the manufacturers’ websites and are yours for the picking!

One of the most common flooring choices is LVP or luxury vinyl plank. One of the misconceptions we see with cleaning this type of flooring is that you need to mop with boiling water or use a steam mop to really clean your floors, when in fact these hot temperatures are damaging your floors. You should also never saturate your flooring. Some of the popular cleaners we see for this flooring include dish soap and laundry detergent which will both leave a residue on your floor and over time the residue will build up and cause the floor to have a hazy appearance. Southwind Building Products recommends using a pH neutral vinyl floor cleaner that is wax and soap free. If you are unsure about a cleaner, you can check the cleaner by spraying it on a flat piece of clear glass and allow it to dry. If it dries clear it is wax and soap free and if it dries cloudy then it will leave residue on your flooring.

Some might think caring for hardwood floors is a difficult task when in fact hardwood surfaces prefer a simple cleaning routine. Start by sweeping your hardwood every day with either a broom, dust mop or vacuum (be sure to use the bare floor setting or disengage the beater bar on your vacuum). Always use a floor cleaner designed for hardwood as any other product may be too harsh and can scratch or strip the finish. Use a microfiber or terry cloth mop head. Bruce does not recommend mopping with water, but if you do, wipe up any standing water to prevent damage.

The last flooring type on our list and perhaps the easiest to clean of all is tile. The most important thing to remember when cleaning tile is to never use products that contain ammonia or bleach as these may modify grout color and product stability. You should always use a pH neutral cleaner and avoid using abrasive pads to scrub tough stains out as this may scratch the tile.

We hope these tips shared above give you the confidence to care for your floors for years to come! At Tile Liquidators, we strive to be your one stop surface shop for all your home improvement needs. We offer 12-month interest-free financing to our customers and provide fast and professional installation. We offer rugs, cabinets, countertops, and the largest in-stock selection of flooring in north Alabama. We are family owned and operated and conveniently located in Huntsville, Albertville and Gadsden.

Sources: Southwind, Bruce, and Emser.