In the UK, the cost of hardwood floor installation stands at about £1,080 per room. If your floors are unkempt and poorly maintained, think of how costly it is to replace the flooring around the house. Cleaning your floors on a regular basis ensures that they are well-maintained and long-lasting. The good news is that there are effective techniques and cleaning solutions to save you significant replacement and repair costs and ensure that your floors are clean and presentable.

Cleaning Methods by Type

• Cleaning of Hardwood Floors

To clean hardwood floors, you will need a dustpan and broom, microfiber mop, vacuum cleaner, and cleaning solution. The first thing to do is to dust mop or vacuum the floor to remove accumulated dirt, dust, and debris. Your risk damaging the surface if you rub dirt and debris into the flooring. To clean the floors, one option is to use vinegar which is inexpensive, readily available, safe, and natural. More about how to use the benefits of vinegar you can find here. There are many benefits to using vinegar instead of chemical formulas, one being that it is safe for pets and children and adults with allergies. Another benefit to using apple cider vinegar on hardwood flooring is that rinsing is not required. Vinegar also doesn’t leave film on hardwood surfaces unlike chemical-based detergents.

Apple cider vinegar is ideal for hardwood flooring but you can also use white vinegar instead. Pour 1 cup of vinegar into a bucket full of water (about 1 gallon). Damp dry the mop before cleaning and mop the floor with a clean towel or mop to dry. It is important to dry the floor completely because water can cause wrapping, damage, and deterioration. You also risk removing the finish if you use too much water.

Alternatively, you can use a multi-purpose solution or a dish detergent and vinegar to clean floors. Different types of products are available on the market, including solutions that contain oxidisers, citric acid, chelators, surfactants, and solvents. Solutions that contain solvents, for example, reduce filmy buildup and streaking, minimise exposure to moisture, and shorten drying times. Oxidising agents and citric acid are effective in cleaning built-up dirt while chelators help eliminate water spotting. If you are unsure what cleaning solution to use on your hardwood flooring, however, consider contacting professional tenancy cleaning company to get the job done.

And if you hardly have any time for cleaning, you may think of investing into a robot vacuum. It is easy to use and is ideal for laminate flooring. The best part is that robot vacuums mop and vacuum to remove dirt, debris, and dust.
Obviously, the most important thing to do is to prevent mess which you can do by ensuring that your home is a shoe-free area. If you have a dog, you can buy some paw wipes or a paw-cleaning device.

• Cleaning of Ceramic Tile Floors

Ceramic tile floors require frequent mopping to keep them clean and stain-free. One option is to use a mild floor cleaning solution to wet mop the tiles. Another idea is to add some mild dish soap to a bucket full of warm water and use a damp mop to clean the floor. To eliminate streaks and water spots, you can dry the tiles with a clean microfiber cloth or towel. If you notice any tough stains, you can use water and baking soda to eliminate them. Make a paste by mixing baking soda and water and apply to stains. Let it sit for a couple of minutes and then gently scrub the stains. Generously rinse with water and dry with a clean cloth. To mop ceramic floors, you can use a towel or a rubber or sponge mop. For heavily stained flooring, you can try an oxidant solution such as bleach which is used to treat stubborn stains. Bleach, however, may not be effective in cleaning saturated watermarks and stains. You can either try to treat with hydrogen peroxide or call local cleaners to help you eliminate tough stains.

• Cleaning of Vinyl floors

Moisture is the main culprit for damaged vinyl, and you should never leave spills on flooring. Use a dry, non-abrasive towel to wipe off spills and avoid damage. To clean vinyl floors, you can use a mild detergent or shampoo, which are both safe for cleaning vinyl. Another idea is to pour 1 cup of vinegar into a bucket with warm water /about ¾ full/ and mop to remove grime. If you choose to use a liquid dish detergent to remove grime and grease, rinse with water thoroughly and then dry with a towel. If you notice any wine, juice, or tomato sauce stains, you can make a water and baking soda paste and apply on stains. Use warm water to remove the paste.

• Cleaning of Marble Floors

Marble is a porous material that tends to deteriorate with high moisture. You may want to seal the pores by using a marble sealer, which also helps to remove dirt and dust. For regular cleaning maintenance, you can use a pH-neutral detergent and hot water as to protect the sealer and avoid discoloration. Never use hydrogen peroxide, ammonia, bleach, and other harsh chemicals that can damage marble. Harsh chemicals such as these etch limestone, travertine, and marble, and spray marks, rings, and dull spots may appear. You should also avoid citrus and acidic cleaners such as citrus and hydrogen peroxide because they etch marble.

Regular damp mopping and dusting help remove dust and keep marble flooring clean. If you are unsure which products to use for deep cleaning, however, use professional cleaning services to keep your flooring well-maintained.

Whether you have hardwood, laminate, marble, or vinyl flooring, regular maintenance is the key to keeping floors in good condition and avoiding costly repairs. Given the wide array of cleaning solutions available, however, it is good to learn more about different cleaning formulas and their use. Whether it is for home or office cleaning, read the label carefully and ask the store employees for advice. Corporate spaces and office buildings are high traffic areas that often require commercial-grade machines and solutions and professional care.