Whether you have carpet, tile or hardwood, your home’s floors need care to keep them in great condition.
Carpeting
- To clean carpeting, vacuum once a week. This is especially important for heavier shear and shag patterns.
- Always attack stains immediately. To remove spots yourself, use the manufacturer’s recommended cleaning products, and follow the instructions for spot removal.
- You can have your home’s carpeting cleaned professionally once a year to remove deep stains.
- To preserve the carpeting, protect it from direct sunlight which can age it faster.
- If you see any loose threads, trim them so they don’t unravel.
* For more information about carpeting, visit the manufacturer’s website.
Ceramic Tile Floors
- Before cleaning tile, sweep or vacuum the tiled areas to remove debris.
- Wipe tile with a moist cloth, and wet mop it occasionally. Use a non-oil-based household cleaner that’s compatible with cement grouts.
- Clean the grout between tiles with a brush and a mild soap.
- Place down protective mats at entrances to tile floors from the outside.
- Use protective pads on your furniture legs to avoid scratches on the tile.
Note:
Never use a vacuum with a beater bar or power rotary brush head; these will damage the surface of the tile. Don’t use cleaners with acids or ammonia, which can damage or discolor the grout and tiles.
* Refer to the manufacturer’s recommendations for maintaining your tile.
Vinyl Flooring
- Vinyl floors recover quickly from most indentations and are flexible under the impact of normal household traffic (but high heels can damage vinyl).
- Remove spills as soon as they happen.
- Dust or vacuum your floors (but don’t use vacuums with beater bars as they can damage the flooring).
- Mop using a mild cleaning solution, such as liquid dish detergent, weekly (don’t use “mop and shine” products, heavy detergents or bleach as they can damage the flooring).
- Never use a vacuum with a beater bar as it can damage the vinyl.
- Equip all furniture with furniture caps (or slides) to protect the vinyl.
- Don’t drag heavy furniture as it can scratch or tear the vinyl.
Note:
Use the manufacturer’s recommended products, and follow the instructions to maintain the flooring.
* Refer to the manufacturer’s recommendations for maintaining your tile.
Wood Flooring
- Vacuum or sweep your wood floor once a week.
- Vacuum wood floors with a special bare-floor attachment; beater bars can damage the wood.
- Don’t wash or wet mop wood flooring; liquid can cause warping. If you must use water, use a damp cloth.
- Avoid using alkaline substances like ammonia as they may cause dark spots on the finish.
- Place rugs to protect your wood floors from dirt and sand, as they can scratch the wood finish.
- Never drag heavy furniture across the wood.
- Use pads under furniture legs, such as felt stick-on pads.
- Close curtains or blinds to protect wood from direct sunlight, which can change its color.
- Trim animal nails and avoid walking on wood floors with spike-heels.
- Don’t use wax-based products. See the manufacturer’s instructions for approved cleaners.
Note:
All wood flooring can expand and contract based on weather conditions. The durability of your wood flooring depends on the type of wood used. Use the manufacturer’s recommended products, and follow the instructions for care and maintenance.
* For more information about wood flooring, visit the manufacturer’s website.