Jul
29
2019
6 Essential Floor Cleaning Tips Everyone Should Know
Keeping floors clean is essential to a neat, tidy, and odour-free household. Because of the constant foot traffic, the floor is one area in a house that always collects the most dirt. The distribution of dirt and mess is made even worse if you have pets or children, since they often spend more time outside and bring more toxins home. Whether you have hard surfaces or carpeted areas, following these essential floor cleaning tips that will help keep your floors looking and smelling brand new.
1. Mop away spills and stains
The best way to get rid of dirt stains or spills on hard surfaces is by doing some old-fashioned mopping. When it comes to choosing the right mop for the job, it is entirely a matter of personal preference. Generally, the sturdier the mop the better. But there are different types which can perform better depending on the toughness of the stain or spill. The string mop is always a good go-to for dirt stains and large spills, absorbing liquid immediately and covering large areas at once. For more resistant stains, simply buff away by stepping over the mop strings and scuffing at the stain until it comes off.
2. Lay out the welcome mat
Children (and dogs) tend to bring half the outdoors in with them after they’ve been out playing. One way to form a barrier against all this outside dirt and mud is by laying a floor mat or runner at the front and back doors. While it may seem old-fashioned, the trusty doormat does a great job at removing excess dirt from shoes (and pet paws!) before the culprits enter the house. Teach your kids to scrub their feet on the mat before entering your home to help reduce dirt and mud even more. For pets, it’s also helpful to keep an old towel at the back door so that you can quickly rub their paws before they come inside.
3. Vacuum regularly
Vacuum cleaners are one of the most essential tools in your floor cleaning kit. Quick and effective, vacuuming regularly cleans dirt, dust, pet hair and common allergens such as pollen and mould spores, leaving your home spotless and bacteria-free. In most homes, vacuuming once or twice a week is sufficient, but in high-traffic areas such as the kitchen and lounge areas, you may need to vacuum more often. Aim to vacuum the entire house once a week with a detailed clean; targeting carpet, skirting boards, couches, and bedding. In-between deep vacuums, having a portable vacuum cleaner handy is a good way to touch up areas and to quickly suck up common floor messes such as food crumbs or pet hair.
4. Use caution treating stone floors
Natural stone floors are susceptible to discolouration and damage with certain floor cleaning products. While natural homemade cleaning solutions are great for most surfaces, you may want to steer clear of using vinegar solutions on stone floors. Even a small amount of acidic liquid such as vinegar, bleach, or ammonia can damage these surfaces. Instead, use a PH-neutral floor cleaner to avoid the minerals in your natural stone tiles reacting adversely. If your stone tiles are unsealed, simply mop over them with a microfiber mop and hot water.
5. Dry mop laminate floors
Laminate floors need to be cleaned and treated differently to other floor surfaces. You should never put liquid or floor polish on laminated surfaces since the moisture will seep under the boards and ruin the laminate. Instead, it’s easy to clean your laminate floors using a dry mop and by vacuuming regularly. For stains or dirt marks, only use a damp cloth and carefully buff the grime away.
6. Use a natural vinegar solution to deodorize mats
Using a natural vinegar solution is a great way to get rid of odours on mats. Simply fill an empty spray bottle with white vinegar and spray over stains or smelly surfaces. This solution is also helpful to use as the final step after cleaning up pet accidents since it completely rids the area of lingering odours. Spray the solution evenly over the stain, then let the area dry. You can also use baking powder to deodorize the carpet. Fill an empty shaker jar with baking powder (you can also add essential oils for a nice smelling solution) and then simply sprinkle evenly over your mats. Leave the powder to sit as it absorbs smells and dirt, then vacuum.
Effectively clean all types of floor surfaces
Using a natural, PH-balanced cleaner like the Bio-home Floor Cleaner on your home’s surfaces makes cleaning floors easy. The rinse-free formula allows you to quickly clean dirt and dust from all floor surfaces – including wood, marble, and veneer – without leaving any toxic residue or damaging your tiles. And your home will have a pleasant aromatic scent! Check out the full range of Bio-Home products today.
