Most homes and commercial establishments in Baton Rouge use carpet, tile, and hardwood flooring. Knowing how to best take care of each type of surface is key to increasing the floor’s longevity as well as keeping them clean and shiny. Here are a few maintenance tips for all of the different flooring types in your home:
Carpet Flooring Maintenance
Vacuum at least once a week (more, if the carpet is in high-traffic areas) to reduce the buildup inside it. Invest in a good quality vacuum that’s especially designed for your type of carpet. Change the bag or empty the canister regularly for maximum suction power.
Address stains without any delay, if possible. Try using only water first, by continuously blotting and dampening the carpet with a clean terrycloth towel. If the stain is more stubborn, contact a carpet cleaning company to get rid of it.
Get your carpet deep-cleaned at least once a year by professionals. Alternatively, you can rent a steam cleaner from your local home center or grocery store to clean it yourself.
Tile Flooring Maintenance
Sweep or vacuum dry dirt every week, then use a microfiber or wet mop with a tile-and-grout friendly cleaning solution.
Make sure the solution is diluted correctly and the mop is clean or it will leave a residue on the floor. You can try making a second pass with water only, if necessary.
To get rid of stains from the grout, use a scrub brush or a toothbrush to clean with either a grout cleaner from the market, or a mixture of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide. If this doesn’t work, you may need to call a professional tile cleaning company.
Hardwood Flooring Maintenance
Clean the floor every day by sweeping or vacuuming the dry dust and dirt first. You can follow this step by a microfiber cloth or wet mop using a plant-based hardwood cleaner. It’s best not to use any harsh chemicals as it wear away the floor’s finish over time.
You can make an effective hardwood cleaner at home by mixing 1 gallon water with ½ cup vinegar.
If you are starting to see gaps between your wood flooring boards, have those gaps/holes plugged with wood filler before you sand and refinish them. This will repair the flooring and maintain its durability.
Whether you have a tile, carpet, wood, or any other type of floor, always use cleaners specifically made for that floor. As you transition from one flooring type to another, don’t forget to rinse out your mop or change to a different cleaning cloth. With a little bit of diligence and regular cleaning, your floors can last a very long time.