Flooring can be one of the biggest investments a homeowner can make. One of the best ways of taking care of this investment is to ensure that you do all that you can to take good care of your flooring, regardless of whether your home is paved with tiles, floorboards or carpet. You’ll find many articles that school you through the process of caring for either or, but today we present to you a full guide on how to extend the life of your floors, tiles and carpets, so read on to find out more!
Floor Care 101
Be it hardwood, vinyl, ceramic, or laminate, treating your flooring with some TLC on a regular basis is a fantastic way to not just keep them looking brand new, but also ensure that they remain in immaculate condition for decades to come.
- Regular Cleaning
One of the best ways to maintain your flooring is to ensure that you come up with a regular cleaning schedule that you can stick to. We recommend vacuuming or sweeping your floors at least once a week to remove any build-up of dirt or debris. Next up is using a mop of choice, paired with a quality hard floor cleaning solution to ensure that every last bit of dirt is removed. Do keep note that you will need to use an appropriate cleaning solution for the type of flooring you have, and be sure to remain gentle with your vacuuming, changing heads as necessary to prevent any scratches from forming on your flooring.
- Avoid Excess Sun Exposure
Natural light is a wonderful thing that most of us try to maximize throughout the day. Natural light offers a wide array of benefits including improved mood, better sleep, and a strengthened immune system, but there can be a slight downside to excess amounts of sunlight streaming into your home. Overexposure to the sun can end up fading your floors and stealing away its color and luster, which is why investing in high-quality window treatments that block out UV rays is always recommended.
- Add Rugs To High Traffic Areas
There are some areas of the home that just get a bit more of a beating, some of which include entryways, hallways, kitchen areas, and the lounge room. So, what can you do to combat the effect of high traffic in these areas? It’s simple – add a rug or two to your space in order to extend the longevity of your flooring. A rug or mat will be able to catch any dirt or debris that the kids or pets bring it, thus reducing the overall wear and tear to your flooring.
Carpet Care 101
A dirty carpet is never pleasant to look at and can have a great impact on the overall look and feel of your home if they are not well maintained. In order to ensure that your carpets remain pristine for years to come, there are a few things you can do to preserve their integrity:
- Regular Vacuuming and Steaming/Shampooing
Similar to your hard floors, regular vacuuming to trap dirt and debris that accumulates on carpets is key in keeping your rugs and mats in tip-top condition. When it comes to giving your carpets a deep clean, we highly recommend using a steam cleaner or a dedicated carpet shampooer that will be able to effectively clean your carpets and leave them looking and smelling fresh for weeks. Alternatively, if you’d rather leave the job to someone else, you can always have your carpets professionally cleaned at least once a year.
- Clean Stains Up Immediately
Accidents happen and are impossible to completely avoid, but the next best thing you can do when they do happen is to clean them up immediately. The longer you let that red wine or juice soak into your carpet, the harder it will be to remove stains in the future.
- Make It A No-Shoe-Zone
Removing your shoes before entering your home or stepping on any carpeted area is key in keeping your carpets beautiful. Many of us are guilty of using footwear in the home, and considering all the places our feet have been, it’s a wonder why more of us don’t adopt a “no shoes inside” policy. A majority of the dirt that enters the home comes courtesy of our shoes, so ensuring that shoes are kept outside is a great way to make your carpet maintenance just that bit easier.
Tile Care 101
Last but not least, it’s time to tackle the tiles. Although tiles are an extremely hard-wearing floor material, they can still become quickly worn down if not cared for properly. Here are some handy tips that will keep your tiles looking untarnished for years to come:
- Waterproofing and Sealing
Considering tiles are used the most in areas such as the kitchen, laundry, or bathroom it is important to ensure that you have done all that you can to seal your tiles in order to prevent potential water damage. Do note that many states will require you to enlist the help of a licensed waterproofer for the job, but you can always consider a little DIY project with some tile and grout sealant if you don’t want to splash out the big bucks.
- Proper Cleaning
Yup — you guessed it. Cleaning is on the list once again! Cleaning your tiles at least once a month is a fantastic way to get rid of build-up soap scum and other nasties especially in rooms such as the bathroom or laundry. As a general rule, most varieties of tiles only require cleaning with a mild detergent mixed with hot water or to be safe it’s so much better to use eco friendly detergent instead of using harmful and strong detergent that might cause problems with your kids (oh, and don’t forget to scrub the dirt out of your grout as well!).
- Repair Damage ASAP
Tiles are pretty hardy, but once in a while, you might find that a tile has started to chip or even worse, break. It is important that you fix these little mishaps as soon as you notice them in order to prevent the damage from spreading. What starts off as a tiny bit of damage can quickly turn into an incredibly costly expense, so be sure to keep a few extra tiles at hand to use as replacements.
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And there you have it — everything you need to know about keeping your floors, tiles, and carpets in tip-top condition. With a little effort and TLC, you’ll be able to extend the life of your flooring for years to come. All the best!
