Flooring Care & Maintenance
Daily Care Is Important
Learn to clean your floors the right way. Proper care is key to keeping them looking newer, longer. Below are some tips from the flooring experts here at Color Interiors Design Center.
Carpet Maintenance
- Place walk-off mats or rugs at each entrance. Investing in mats or rugs can prevent dirt and grime from being tracked across or ground into new carpet.
- Buy a quality vacuum and use it regularly to remove loose dirt and dust particles from the carpet fibers. Over time these particles dull your carpet’s appearance. Frequent vacuuming will maintain the beauty of carpet and extends its life.
- High traffic areas may need to be vacuumed more often. Use a vacuum with a good beater bar and maximum suction. Use the vacuum cleaners’ attachments to clean tight spots-along walls and up and down the stairs. If the vacuum uses bags, change them frequently for maximum cleaning efficiency. Some Vacuums without bags need to be emptied frequently for maximum cleaning efficiency. Various manufacturers have recommendations on the type of vacuum preferred.
- The carpet cushion plays an important role in preserving the look and feel of your carpet and prevents your carpet from matting and crushing underfoot. The carpet cushion offers its own level of soil and stain protection. It also provides ventilation between the carpet and the floor, making vacuuming easier, and more efficient.
- Looped carpets can snag, especially at a seam or a carpet transition. Do not vacuum over loose yarn or try to pull out the snag. Carefully snip the yarn flush with the carpet without catching any surrounding loops to prevent additional damage.
- Another important and often overlooked way to keep your carpet in top condition is in the placement of heavy furniture. Heavy furniture can compress or crush the carpet pile and leave noticeable indentations. Rearrange furniture periodically to prevent indentations in the carpet. Carpet near windows and patio doors can be subjected to harmful ultraviolet rays. These rays can deteriorate the carpet’s appearance, and ability to withstand wear. If possible, use window treatments that offer some protection against sunlight.
- Treat spills quickly to prevent the stain from soaking into the fibers. Immediately blot up the liquid or debris with a dry cloth or paper towel. Do not rub or scrub the area with a rag, to avoid damaging the fibers.
- Use warm, not hot, water to rinse the stained area completely. Hot water can cause the stain to set and make it difficult to remove. Press clean cloths deeply into the carpet to soak up moisture until the stain no longer appears on the cloth. If a stain remover is needed, blot up excess moisture before applying, work gently and do not over apply the stain remover.
- Next, thoroughly rinse the area with warm water, and absorb excess dampness with a clean cloth. After the carpet has dried, vacuum to restore its texture and appearance.
- Unfortunately, time and traffic will take its toll on carpet. To protect this investment, cleaning by a reputable, professional cleaner is required once a year to maintain the manufacture warranty. Professional cleaners have the knowledge, equipment and experience to thoroughly remove stubborn stains, and embedded soil.
- Keep in mind that carpet should be treated like a textile product. Read the care and maintenance literature provided by the manufacturer, since different fibers, styles and finishes can each have their own unique guidelines.
Hardwood Maintenance
- Place walk off mats or area rugs at each entry to collect particles of dirt and debris. These tiny particles act like sandpaper and will scratch hardwood floors. Avoid using rubber- backed or non-ventilated mats or rugs to prevent damage to flooring. Instead, use mats or rugs made for hardwood floors, and remember to shake out or vacuum mats or rugs regularly. In addition to entryways, place mats in areas where water may be splashed.
- Buy a good quality broom and sweep the new floor regularly to pick up grains of dirt, dust and other particles. A vacuum cleaner, without a beater bar, can be helpful in between planks and other hard to reach areas. Once dirt and grease are gone, buffing can help restore the luster of your hardwood floor.
- Cleaning techniques depend on the installation and finish of the hardwood floor. Color Interiors sells the necessary cleaning products to help maintain hardwood floors.
- Color Interiors recommends using a BONA terrycloth mop with a rotating head that makes cleaning corners, under cabinets and along base boards an easy task. Spray a professional wood floor cleaning product recommended by Color Interiors to safely remove tough stains and spills without dulling the finish of the hardwood flooring.
- Manufacturers of “Pre-finished” hardwood floors recommend their own specific products designed for their floor’s routine maintenance. Check with us, as well, about these cleaners.
- All floors with a urethane finish should never be waxed and require cleaners that won’t leave a film or residue. A hardwood floor cleaner is useful in removing occasional scuffs or heel marks. Merely spray some cleaner on the cloth and lightly rub the stained area.
- Sticky spots can be cleaned with a damp towel or sponge. Do not use ammonia cleaners or oil soaps on a wood floor, they will dull the finish and performance of the floor. These products will affect the ability to recoat flooring later. Since wood naturally expands when it is wet, never use a wet mop or excessive water to clean the floor. Large amounts of water can cause the wood to swell and may cause your floor to crack or splinter. Being a natural product, hardwood will expand and contract due to moisture level changes.
- Minimize water exposure to hardwood floors and clean up spills as soon as they happen.
- Color Interiors provides professional Deep Cleaning service when floors need additional cleaning after years of heavy usage. If flooring shows excessive wear beyond normal cleaning, consider screening and recoating. Screening is the process used to abrade the polyurethane finish that is currently on the floor. Then, fresh coats of urethane are applied. Screening and recoating will rejuvenate and prolong the life of hardwood floor.
- If the damage to the floor is severe and has gone through the stain of the boards down to the raw wood, you can sand and refinish. Sanding and refinishing should only be done if screening and recoating does not solve the problem. This is an extensive process where the floor is sanded down to bare wood, re-stained and then refinished. If the damage is to a small area purchasing replacement boards, if available, can alleviate having to refinish an entire area.
- All hardwood floors will fade, darken or change shades over time. Exposure to sunlight will accelerate this change. Window treatments are recommended, as well as rotating area rugs and furniture regularly to allow floors to age evenly from UV exposure. Install felt pads under furniture. chairs and table legs to guard your floor against damage.
- Carefully move heavy objects to avoid scuffing or scratching the floor. Stiletto heels can cause dents and scratches not covered by the warranty. Regularly trim pets’ nails or claws to avoid scratches on the hardwood floor.
Laminate Maintenance
- Place walk off mats or area rugs at each entry to collect particles of dirt and debris. These tiny particles act like sandpaper and will scratch hardwood floors. Avoid using rubber- backed or non-ventilated mats or rugs to prevent damage to flooring. Instead use mats or rugs made for laminate floors and remember to shake out or vacuum mats or rugs regularly. In addition to entryways, place mats in areas where water may be splashed.
- Laminate floors are beautiful and durable, but not indestructible. Regular sweeping, dust mopping or vacuuming to remove loose dirt and grit will protect flooring from becoming dull. Spot cleaning and occasional complete cleaning of laminate floor can be done using the manufacturer’s recommended products. Never use abrasive cleaners, steel wool or scouring powder. Do not use soap-based detergents or “mop-and-shine” products.
- Occasional light damp mopping using laminate cleaner.
- A laminate floor cleaner is suggested. Laminate flooring can expand if excessive water is used while cleaning. Mops should be damp, not wet, and a clean dry cloth should be used to wipe floors thoroughly after mopping. Do not wax or polish laminate floor.
- Glides or floor protectors on the bottom of furniture will prevent possible scratching or abrasion. Lift heavy furniture instead of dragging or pulling and use pieces of carpet face down under heavy objects when lifting is not possible.
- Never try to refinish or sand laminate floors. Laminate floors can be damaged by heavy or sharp objects. The finish on laminate flooring can help protect against sunlight and typical fading found with aging hardwood floors. If a repair is necessary, the replacement product may be a slightly different dye lot and/or texture than the initial installation. For additional care procedures, refer to the manufacturer’s care and maintenance instruction and recommendations.
Natural Stone Maintenance
- Walk-off mats or rugs on either side of exterior entrances will collect loose dirt before it reaches your stone floor.
- Sand, dirt and grit damage natural stone surfaces due to their abrasiveness. Floors should be dust mopped frequently using a clean, non-treated dry dust mop or broom. A vacuum cleaner can be very helpful, on textured floors, but it needs to be in good condition and have no beater bar.
- Damp mopping the natural stone floor will keep it looking beautiful for life. Use suggested specialty products designed for use on natural stone floor. Blot spills immediately. A neutral pH detergent or pure soap, such as Liquid Ivory and warm water, can be used for spills or periodic complete cleaning. Rinse the floor thoroughly and dry the surface with a soft, clean cloth. Excessive amounts of cleaner or soap may leave a film and cause streaks. Change rinse water frequently. Do not use products that contain lemon juice, vinegar or other acids on marble, limestone or travertine as it will etch away the polish, degrade the sealer, discolor the surface, or even scratch the stone. Avoid using products containing abrasive cleaners, cleansers (dry or soft) or any ammonia-based cleaners on any stone. These products will dull its luster.
- Do not use grout cleaners, scouring natural stone. To remove algae or moss from natural stone in outdoor pool, patio or hot tub areas, flush with clear water and use a mild bleach solution. Do not mix bleach and ammonia; this combination creates a toxic and lethal gas.
- Once natural stone is installed properly maintain caulking in heavy water-use areas to prevent damage. When moving heavy objects, lift to avoid scratching or chipping. Cover furniture and table legs with protectors to guard against floor damage.
- Each stone has its own level of porosity which makes some stones more susceptible to staining than others. Based upon the type of stone, sealing natural stone should be considered.
Tile Maintenance
- Walk-off mats (doormats) or rugs on either side of exterior entrances will help collect loose dirt before it reaches your ceramic tile floor.
- Sweep or vacuum ceramic tile floors regularly, to loosen and remove dirt. Use a vacuum cleaner without a beater bar to avoid dulling and scratching the tiles.
- Damp-mop regularly, using the manufacturer’s recommended grout and tile cleaners. For heavier soil, spot clean the floor with a sponge or clean cloth using the recommended cleaners. Rinse well and wipe dry for more shine. Textured tiles may require mild scrubbing with a soft brush or electric polisher/scrubber. After cleaning with a mild detergent rinse thoroughly with clean, warm water to prevent any leftover residue. If needed, wipe dry with a clean towel to remove any film. For soft water situations use an all-purpose cleaner. Apply to the floor, let stand for 3-5 minutes, lightly scrub with a sponge and rinse well. For heavier cleaning tasks there are cleaning products available that can be used to remove soap scum, hard water deposits, and mildew stains. Consult the cleaning product’s instructions to make sure the product is compatible with tile type. After cleaning, rinse well and wipe dry for optimum shine.
- To prevent scratching the finish of the tile, avoid using steel wool, scouring powders, or other abrasives. Bleach or ammonia-based cleaners can discolor grout if used too often. Do not clean glazed tile with oil-based cleaners. Clean up spills as quickly. Ceramic tiles may crack or chip under extreme force, so take the proper precautions when moving heavy objects across tile floors.
- Once the tile has been laid and grouted, maintain areas exposed to water. Caulking will prevent expensive subsurface damage, as well as keep the tiled areas looking great. After the installation process is complete, and the grout has had ample time to cure, sealing the grout and tile can provide protection from dirt and spills by slowing down the staining process.
- For more maintenance information specific to your ceramic tile flooring, remember to consult the manufacturers’ recommendations.
Vinyl Maintenance
- Place non-staining, walk-off mats or rugs at every outside entry to keep sand and grit from being tracked on to vinyl flooring. Rubber–backed mats or rugs can be damaging and potentially discolor vinyl flooring. Instead use mats or rugs made especially for vinyl floors.
- The first 24 hours after the new vinyl floor is installed, protect all the seamed areas and don’t walk on the seam sealer. Keep the room at 68 degrees Fahrenheit or greater for at least 2 days after installation to allow the adhesives to setup properly. Do not roll heavy objects directly on to a newly installed vinyl floor for at least 5 days. This can cause the vinyl and adhesive to become compressed, and once the adhesive sets up any compressed marks will become permanent. Allow 5 days before thoroughly washing floor to give time for the adhesive to cure.
- Before moving heavy objects across your floor, lay plywood or underlayment sheets down to disperse the weight. Before placing chairs or furniture on the new vinyl floor check the condition of all the casters or rollers before setting them on the floor. Replace any worn casters or rollers. Protect vinyl flooring by covering the legs of furniture with felt protectors.
- Remove dust, sand and grit particles frequently by sweeping or vacuuming vinyl floors. Do not use a vacuum with a beater bar as it may scratch vinyl flooring. When sweeping or vacuuming does not remove the dirt, mop the floor with clean warm water, and rinse the floor thoroughly with fresh water. If water alone does not clean the surface, use cleaning products recommended by the manufacturer. If you are unable to determine the manufacturer’s recommendations, use one tablespoon of liquid dish washing detergent to one quart of lukewarm water. Or use one tablespoon of clear ammonia to one quart of lukewarm water. Make sure to rinse the surface to avoid leaving behind a film.
- For spots or spills, wipe them up immediately and use a clean cloth to wipe the cleaner onto the floor. Use a manufacturer recommended cleaner, and the product label should indicate “self-cleaning,” to prevent an accumulation of wax on the flooring. Avoid using abrasive scrubbing tools as they will leave scratches, and never use abrasive cleaners, soaps, paste waxes, or solvents.
- If flooring becomes dull looking, first, try cleaning it with lukewarm water and clear ammonia to see if there’s a film causing the dullness. (Exact proportions of water to ammonia are stated above.) If that doesn’t work, use the manufacture’s recommended floor polish to restore vinyl flooring to its original gloss level.
- If a seam opens, cover it immediately, do not wash that area, and contact us for a vinyl floor covering professional to repair the seam. If vinyl gets a cut or gouge in it, cover the area immediately and call us. A professional installer can repair the area, but if the cut is filled with dirt it may be difficult to repair correctly.
Countertop Maintenance
- All natural stones are porous to some degree. If not properly sealed with a protective sealer, stains such as water, oils and other liquids can easily penetrate the stone, leaving unsightly stains that damage the stone. The good news is that once treated with a protective sealer, natural stone, tile, masonry and grout are ready for carefree, everyday use.
- When cleaning natural stone, it is important to use cleaners specially formulated for those surfaces. Many general-purpose cleaners contain acidic and alkaline ingredients, abrasive, or ammonia, and can break down sealers and damage stone surfaces.
- Once your stone is sealed cleanup is a snap. But what should you use for everyday cleaning? Natural stone needs cleaning products that are specifically made for its unique mineral composition for everyday cleaning. Color Interiors recommends STONETECH Revitalizer® Cleaner and Protector. It cleans with a gentle formula that removes soiling while reinforcing the original protective seal to help prevent future staining.
- NEVER use Clorox wipes or harsh ammonia cleaner on countertops. This can cause staining, discoloration and breakdown of the stone.
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