As all things in your home, floors need regular cleaning to make them stand out
Hard Surface and Hardwood
Having a hard surface in the space means easier cleaning for most owners, but to some it may also translate for the need to clean more often (because dust and dirt are more readily seen on hard surface). Hard surface can serve those with significant sensitivity to allergens because the dust has no place to hide, but again, will likely require greater frequency in cleaning. So, what's the best product to use? You may be thinking it matters between having a real hardwood floor or an LVP floor, but actually, the industry recommends the same type of product: a hardwood-approved spray with dry microfiber mop. Bona and Pallman (big names in the hardwood world) both have a cleaning kit which will check the boxes, whether you have solid hardwood, engineered hardwood, LVP, Laminate, sheet vinyl, and potentially some other hard surfaces. If you have more specific questions about instructions for use or about these products, please reference their websites directly.
It should also be noted, for basically all types of residential flooring present day, the concept of using a "wet mop" with a significant amount of water and cleaner, to clean any floor is not recommended. Only in some commercial and industrial applications, should the wet mop be used, and those who clean commercial businesses or large buildings will know what to use and when. But for the average homeowner or small business owner, do not use wet mops and water. Because water can easily damage a real hardwood floor, and may likely damage an LVP or Laminate floor, depending on the product, and will do so, given enough surface time. (And if you're curious about the toothbrush photo, toothbrushes are not recommended to clean floors).
Still have questions about your specific floor for cleaning recommendations? Hardwood floors generally do not have a website with cleaning recommendations, but they might, if it's a prefinished hardwood. Though the Bona or Pallman should check the boxes for hardwood. But if you have an LVP or Laminate or Cork floor, check the website product page of the manufacturer for recommendations. There are new products to market constantly and they might have more tailored recommendations to better suit their flooring.
Carpet and Rugs
Most carpet manufacturers will recommend having your carpet professionally steam cleaned one time per year, and many will require this for Warranty purposes. Because carpet also has pockets or gaps between fibers, it has more space for dust and dirt to hide, therefore, while it may not be seen as much as on hard surfaces, carpet really needs to be vacuumed as often as you would clean a hard surface floor. How often is recommended for vacuuming? Some people vacuum daily, others wait weeks or longer, but a prudent step would be to vacuum once a week or less. Even if you do not wear shoes in the space, dust is the invisible inevitability, and factors into why carpets need regular maintenance (vacuuming and spot cleaning) just like many other things in the home. Plus, the annual professional steam cleaning.
But why the word professional? Some homeowners will opt to clean their carpets themselves, but when it comes to a proper steam cleaning, it is recommended to go with the professional. Why? Gone are the days of having your carpets cleaned and coming home to a wet carpet, still needing 24 hours or so to more fully dry. What an inconvenience and spelled trouble for your carpet and pad. But that's how many cleanings were done 20 years ago. The trusted and reliable professional steam cleaners today use very little water in their process, and truly, the less water the better, because as hardwood and water do not mix, you really would not want much water on your carpet for very long to keep a good carpet. So, finding a trusted professional today is well worth their wisdom and experience in cleaning your carpet.
The payoff
Cleaning your hard surface floors with a trusted spray and dry microfiber mop, or having your carpets professionally steam cleaned, not only make them look better, but truly, they are CLEANER and that makes for a better environment in your home or work. This means cleaner for your feet, for your family, for your lungs, for your eyes, for your skin, and also helps extend the longevity of your investment in your floors. This is a really good payoff.
Comments