There is one area of your house that you can never find a hundred percent “clean” and that area is our floor, because obviously, it is always stepped on. But, nevertheless it has to be kept clean, to look bright and well maintained of course.
There are plenty of floor cleaners available in the shops, to clean your floor and give it the perfect sparkle. But did you know that not all types of cleansers suit all types of flooring! In this article, we will talk about natural cleaning agents you can make at home and how they can be used to clean different types of flooring.
How to clean different types of flooring:
1. Vinyl flooring
Laminated flooring can tend to get dirty easily and therefore, daily dusting and sweeping will help reduce the accumulation of dirt and dust. Never use soap, wax or oil-based detergents, which can dull the finish and leave a greasy film.
For stubborn scuffs, try putting some jojoba oil on a towel and rub the area until the scuffs disappear. Clean thoroughly with the vinegar and water solution to remove any traces of lubrication. A deep clean once in 20 days is required and for that, you can use a simple homemade apple cider vinegar solution by mixing 1 cup of apple cider vinegar in 1 gallon of water and use this solution to mop your floor as usual. To add shine to your vinyl floor, add a few drops of oil to the vinegar and water solution.
A soft, nylon-bristle brush can help remove many types of stains, along with baking soda and water or rubbing alcohol.
2. Carpeted flooring
Carpeted flooring may look “clean”, but it is in fact unimaginable how much dirt, dust and grime gets lodged in the carpet.
Therefore, apart from vacuuming every day or once in a couple of days, you will need to deep clean it once in 15 to 20 days at least. So, to deep clean your carpet, you can sprinkle some baking soda mixed with few drops of essential oil all over your carpet and let it sit for half an hour.
Later, vacuum clean your carpet to get rid of the baking soda and then deep clean it with your regular carpet cleaning detergent (which has been patch-tested in advance at one corner of the carpet to make sure no color runs). READ MORE – SIMPLE AND EASY WAYS TO REMOVE CARPET STAINS
3. Tiled flooring
A steam mop is also a good choice because it cleans and sanitizes tile simultaneously without leaving behind streaks. And because steam cleaners use only water, they won’t damage the grout. For stains, use vinegar mixed with water.
DIY Ceramic and porceline Tile floor cleaner – Fill a bucket with warm water approximately one gallon. Because the warm water can soften stubborn grime or stains on tile floors. Add 1 tsp of mild detergent to warm water. Then gently shake the bucket to thoroughly mix them, and your cleanser is ready. Now, mop your tile floors.
4. Laminated flooring
Cleaning your laminated flooring with warm or hot water at least once every week is oen of the best ways to keep it clean, apart from mopping it every day with plain water of course.
Apart from that, a deep clean is required from time to time (once every 15 to 20 days) and for that you can use a 1 tsp of mild unscented soap mixed with a gallon of warm water. Spray it all over the floor and wipe off with a clean and dry cloth or a mop.
For stubborn stains like oil, paint or markers; use a white cloth with a small dab of acetone nail polish remover or rubbing alcohol.
5. Marble Flooring
Marble is a porous stone, so it is essential to choose the right cleaner. Avoid products containing vinegar, ammonia or citrus, which can cause etching. Don’t use anything abrasive on marble like scrubbing brushes or scouring pads.
In a bucket or sink, mix a solution of warm water and mild, neutral pH soap. There are specialty soaps formulated for marble or you can use a very dilute solution of just a few drops of dishwashing soap per gallon of water. For Scuffs: Gently rub the scuff with a dry tennis ball. For ink stains: Use rubbing alcohol.
6. Hardwood flooring
Keep debris off by sweeping or vacuuming at least once a week. To make a natural hardwood floor cleaner, Bring 8 cups of water to boil in a large pot on the stovetop. Steep 4-6 bags of black tea for 10-15 minutes. Press out any remaining liquid from the bags into the pot before discarding. Add 8 more cups of cold water to the bag of tea mixture. Once the mixture has cooled down, mop with a damp microfiber mop.
** Be careful about how much water you use when mopping. Patch test the black tea – Dip a rag into the solution and ring it out, use this to test a small, inconspicuous area on your wood floors.
7. Bamboo flooring
Bamboo floors are more prone to nicks and scratches than hardwood floors. Dust or vacuum at least once a week to avoid scratches and damage from dirt and debris buildup.
Mix ¼ cup of mild or pH-neutral soap in one bucket of water. Swipe across the floor using a barely damp mop, wiping up excess moisture with a dry microfiber cloth.
8. Linoleum Floor
Linoleum flooring is made of wood pulp and cork, so it’s important not to use hot water. You can use a linoleum floor cleaner or a mixture of 1 gallon of water, one cup of vinegar and a couple drops of mild dish soap.
For seasonal maintenance and removal of the inevitable heel marks and the occasional skids, use a linoleum-friendly floor wax. Polish off with a very slightly damp cloth for a perfect sheen every time.
9. Concrete Floors
Because of their high durability and low maintenance requirements, concrete floors are the popular option for commercial spaces.
Vacuum, sweep, or dust mop the floor to remove dirt and grit. Damp mop with a pH-neutral cleaner and clean water. Reapply sealer or floor wax as needed for a protective coating.