How To Clean Floors Without Damaging Them
Cleaning floors requires different methods for floor types and it helps to know what is the best solution for your floors.
30/01/2024
Cleaning floors used to be all about plugging in the vacuum cleaner for carpets and rugs and hauling out the mop and bucket for linoleum or tiles but nowadays with all the different types of flooring out there, you need to find the perfect solution for cleaning your floor type. By following our easy guide below, you will know what cleaning solutions you will need to keep floors looking good and prevent any damage by using the wrong cleaning tool or cleaning product.
Clean carpets and rugs
- To clean carpets and rugs you will need a vacuum cleaner with attachments, preferably one with a HEPA filter if you have young children or pets in the home.
- Empty and clean the vacuum cleaner beforehand. An empty vacuum will offer maximum suction and cleaning brushes or nozzles will prevent blockages.
- Move any furniture that might hamper moving the vacuum cleaner around the room. This gives you an opportunity to deal with flattened areas under the legs of heavy pieces and you can use a block of ice to lift the carpet pile.
- To freshen and deodorise carpets and rugs sprinkle them with Bicarbonate of Soda 30 minutes beforehand.
- Working from one spot, push the vacuum cleaner backwards and forwards and in diagonal movements to the left and right. This will agitate the carpet pile and allow for more dust to be collected with each swipe.
- Make use of attachments for cleaning around the edge of carpets or for hard-to-reach areas.
How to clean ceramic tile floor
- Sweep or vacuum a tiled floor beforehand to remove loose dust and dirt. Use a vacuum with attachment around the skirting boards, fixtures or fittings.
- The best way to clean tiles is with a squeegee mop. Soak the sponge beforehand so that it is ready for use and squeeze out excess water.
- Clean any spills or sticky areas first and refresh the water before you continue.
- Remove any objects that will get in the way of the cleaning process.
- Have a bucket of warm water with added performance tile cleaner. Follow the manufacturer's guidelines for dilution to avoid sticky floors.
- Empty and refill the bucket when the water becomes dirty.
How to clean porcelain tile floor
- To clean porcelain tiles it is important to use the correct cleaning products to prevent damage to the tiles. Avoid cleaning products that contain bleach, ammonia or any acid-based cleaning products. Use a squeegee mop to clean and do not use abrasive cleaning tools such as steel wool or bristles.
- A weak solution of warm water and white spirit vinegar can be used to deodorise and effectively clean porcelain tiles.
- Sweep or vacuum a tiled floor beforehand to remove loose dust and dirt and vacuum around any skirting boards, fixtures or fittings.
- The best way to clean tiles is with a squeegee mop with a sponge. Soak the sponge beforehand so that it is ready for use.
- Clean any spills or sticky areas first and refresh the water before you continue.
- Remove any objects that will get in the way of the cleaning process.
- Have a bucket of warm water with added tile cleaner suitable for porcelain tiles and dilute as recommended.
- Empty and refill the bucket when the water becomes dirty.
How to clean natural stone floor
Before you clean natural stone tiles, consider the type of stone involved as there are different cleaning products and methods for different stone types.
How to clean luxury vinyl floor
For the majority of luxury vinyl or vinyl flooring options, these can be cleaned as you would tiled floors.
- Sweep or vacuum beforehand to remove loose dust and dirt and prevent scratching - vacuum around the skirting boards, fixtures or fittings.
- The best way to clean is with a squeegee mop. Soak the sponge beforehand so that it is ready for use and squeeze out excess water.
- Clean any spills or sticky areas first and refresh the water before you continue.
- Remove any objects that will get in the way of the cleaning process.
- Have a bucket of warm water with added performance floor cleaner.
- Empty and refill the bucket when the water becomes dirty.
How to clean laminate floor
- Use a soft sweeping brush or swifta and sweep regularly to remove loose dust and debris to prevent scratches.
- A laminate floor cleaner can be used or a cup of white spirit vinegar and a couple of drops of dishwashing liquid in a litre of water.
- When cleaning laminate floors, there should be as little moisture as possible, so ensure the mop or sponge is almost dry.
- If furniture needs to be moved around, place felt or silicone bumpers on the legs to prevent damage to the floor.
- Only use clean water and a slightly damp mop or floor cleaner.
How to clean hardwood floor
While you can mop a hardwood floor, follow the instructions above for laminate floors.
For deep cleaning, you can wipe with a mixture of half a cup of white spirit vinegar and clean water but do remember to squeeze excess moisture out of the mop or swifta. There should be no excess water left on the floor after cleaning.
Find more information on cleaning hardwood floors here.