Keeping your floors clean and in great condition is essential for a welcoming and healthy living space. In this article, we will look at the top tricks for cleaning your floors (some may surprise you) be it vinyl plank flooring, carpet or hybrid floors. These amazing tips and tricks will not only help you achieve cleaner floors but will also create a fresh and beautiful home environment.
Essential tools for spotless floors
Remember the traditional wet mops and hours spent cleaning them (and trying to wring out all the water)? These days, it’s all about using a much more effective microfibre mop. Not only do they trap dirt and dust, but they also require less water, which makes them ideal for a streak-free finish on various floor surfaces.
A good vacuum is also an essential tool to retain spotless floors – it doesn’t need to be a $6,000 investment, as long as it is relatively good quality, any vacuum will suffice and will do the job of keeping your carpets or hard floors dust free.
Eco-friendly cleaners
To achieve sparkling clean flooring, you really don’t need to use harsh chemical cleaners – believe it or not, some of the most effective stain removers and cleaning products are probably in your pantry!
For example, vinegar is a very useful and affordable cleaning product that is commonly available. Simply mix an equal amount of white vinegar and water, to create a strong and natural floor cleaner, which is safe and suitable to use on different types of floors, such as hardwood, luxury plank flooring and tiles.
Lemon is also an eco-friendly cleaning agent that leaves a refreshing scent. Combine lemon juice with water to make a floor cleaner that not only eliminates stains, but also leaves a pleasant scent in your home.
DIY vs. professional cleaning: knowing when to seek expert help
Maintaining clean flooring requires balancing DIY efforts with professional help. While cleaning on your own can save money and offer flexibility, hiring experts provides efficient, high-quality results.
Choosing between DIY and professional cleaning isn’t an all-or-nothing decision. Consider factors such as the size of your space, your availability, budget constraints, and the complexity of the cleaning tasks. By evaluating these factors, you can effectively decide whether to handle tasks yourself, hire professionals, or use a combination of both to maintain a clean, healthy, and pleasant living environment.
Conquering stains
The biggest tip for conquering stains is to treat them as soon as possible – the longer you leave it, the harder they will be to remove. Baking soda, is another simple, yet effective, ingredient that works well for cleaning floors. For a gentle abrasive cleaner, simply sprinkle baking soda on your floor and use a damp cloth or sponge to scrub away dirt and stains.
Coarse salt liberally sprinkled on liquid stains, such as red wine, and left to soak overnight is also, surprisingly, an effective way of removing stubborn stains, saving you the need for an entire carpet replacement and giving you an excuse to finish off the open bottle later.
Daily maintenance tips
Removing your shoes every time you enter the house, as well as the use of large ornamental rugs or carpeted mats are a great way to preserve the life of your floors. Take the time to identify the most troublesome areas in your home, such as the kitchen or carpeted area near the couch, then set aside a few minutes each day to clean them – trust us, this will be time and effort well spent. For a custom-made rug designed specifically for your space, get in touch with us!
Dry mopping and vacuuming on a daily basis, as well as spot mopping when necessary, will also ensure your floors retain their original shine and quality over time.
Floor-specific cleaning hacks
Here are some of our top cleaning hacks:
- Use a dry, reusable, microfibre cloth for a quick-dry mopping of the kitchen and bathroom tiles. When the cloth becomes dirty, simply pop it in the washing machine for re-use.
- Put furniture pads on your furniture to prevent scratching of your hard flooring.
- To help stem the amount of pet hair that can end up on the carpet, simply drag a standard squeegee over an area of the carpet and watch the dog hair come to the surface and roll into clumps. Genius!
- Olive oil can also offer your hardwood floors a new and shiny finish. Simply mix one part vinegar with just a few drops of your favourite essential oil, and spray lightly over your wood floor in small sections. Then, buff with a microfibre cloth until sparkling. You’re welcome
Want to know more?
If you’re looking to transform your floors with ease, our carpet store team has more tips and tricks to restore your floors. If you think you are in need of carpet replacement or new flooring in and around your home, reach out to Carpets on the Move today.
