6 Types of Floors and How to Clean Them
Whether you’re refreshing a part of your home or renovating the whole house, picking the right type of floor is important. Considering the multiple kinds of flooring available, selecting the best can be challenging because each has its pros and cons. While there are many factors to look at when choosing flooring, care and maintenance are among the most vital. Discussed below are six types of floors and how to clean them.
Tile floors
While tile floors are common in kitchens and bathrooms, one can use them on the entire house. These floors are often grouped into porcelain and ceramic (non-porcelain). Porcelain tiles are denser and more durable than ceramic tiles. There are several varieties of ceramic tiles based on the production process. There are also natural stone tiles, another well-known tile flooring. Different types of tile floors are cleaned in various ways, including:
- Porcelain and Ceramic Tiles: Keeping porcelain and ceramic tile floors clean isn’t difficult. Regular vacuuming or sweeping can ensure they don’t get dull. You can combine clean water with a mild detergent, then use a mop or rag to clean the tiles. Avoid sponge mops because they can drive dirty water into your grouts, making them difficult to clean. Be on the lookout for stains and discoloration, and use the appropriate stain cleaner for effective cleaning. You can also power wash your tiles using a tile cleaning wand for fast and effective cleaning while ensuring effortless removal of dirt, stains, grime, grease, soap residue, mold, and mildew.
- Natural Stone Tile Floors: Traditional cleaners have harsh chemicals that can damage natural stone tiles such as marble, granite, and slate. As such, you should use cleaners specially made for these surfaces. Marble, granite, and slate tiles are high maintenance and shouldn’t be cleaned with any detergent whose PH level is acidic. Cleaners containing vinegar or lemon should be avoided because they can etch the tiles’ surfaces. Opt for mild detergents with a neutral PH level. Harsh cleaners can leave discoloration or streaks on the tiles.
Concrete Floors
Besides being highly resilient, concrete floors are extremely durable. They’re among the most eco-friendly and economical flooring options. Concrete floors can last for many years when properly maintained and cared for. Modern concrete finishing techniques have made concrete flooring quite luxurious.
Concrete flooring is easy to clean and maintain. When cleaning indoor concrete floors, use neutral cleaning agents and avoid cleaners with harsh chemicals like ammonia or bleach because they can strip your floors of their protective coating, which leaves them with a dull appearance.
Be extra careful when cleaning painted, stenciled, or stained indoor concrete floors, and opt for gentle cleaning methods and products. Unlike polished or sealed concrete, these floors are more susceptible to damage like etching, scratching, or fading.
Don’t use harsh cleaning products and abrasive tools on your indoor concrete flooring. Don’t clean your concrete floors using excessive steam or liquid mops, as they can cause expensive, irreversible damage because of the concentrated moisture and high heat combination.
Hardwood Floors
Hardwood flooring provides an elegant, timeless look for any home style. They’re a functional, sustainable, and durable flooring alternative that can raise your home’s value. Wood’s versatility in design adds warmth and character to your living areas. Hardwood floors offer a natural design factor with distinct features like grading, grain, and coloring. They’re also customizable in how they’re installed in your home. Wood floors provide extra convenience and comfort.
An underlayment can be added to minimize noise, and insulation techniques can increase your home’s warmth. To keep your hardwood flooring clean and thriving, vacuum and sweep debris and dirt regularly. Set the vacuum cleaner to hardwood mode to prevent scratches. Cleans spills immediately after they occur to avoid water damage and keeps off abrasive cleaners and harsh chemicals, as they can strip your floors.
Vinyl Floors
Vinyl floors are made from polyvinyl chloride or PVC, a kind of plastic in various patterns and styles. You can texture them to look like stone, wood, or other types of flooring. Vinyl floors are a popular option for most homeowners because they’re durable and affordable. Besides being water resistant, this flooring option is comfortable and soft to walk on. Vinyl flooring is hypoallergenic, which makes it an excellent choice for those with allergies.
Vacuum or sweep these floors regularly to remove debris and dirt. Wipe any spills immediately, and only use cleaners specifically made for vinyl floors. Don’t use harsh chemicals, as they can damage your floor’s finish. Mop vinyl floors regularly using a damp mop, and don’t use excess water, as it can lead to warping.
Brick Floors
Brick is an endearing indoor floor option that’s highly resistant to wear and tear and fire. With brick floors, you have multiple design options. You can play around with brick arrangements, sizes, and colors. The patterns available for brick flooring are broad and varied.
This flooring option can be used outdoors and indoors as well. Unlike stone floors, which become hard to walk on in winter, brick floors tend to retain warm temperatures even in the cold season. When properly maintained, they’re easy to install and serve you for many years.
When cleaning your brick floors, start by sweeping or vacuuming to remove dust, debris, and dirt. You can prepare a mild cleaning detergent at home or buy a cleaner with a neutral PH and mix it with warm water.
Keep off harsh chemicals because they can damage your bricks. When working on heavily soiled or stained parts, clean them gently using a scrub brush. Once you’re done scrubbing, mop the floor and rinse it with clean water to get rid of any traces of detergent. Dry the surface with clean towels or a mop.
Carpet Floors
Well-designed carpet floors help create a perfect blend of comfort and luxury thanks to their timeless, contemporary, trendy, and classy designs. Carpet flooring comes in various color styles, combinations, and materials. It provides a warm ambiance while reducing the risk of slip and fall-related injuries.
Carpet floors provide thermal resistance and can serve as passive air filters. Vacuuming and stain treatment can help keep your carpet clean. You can also use a carpet cleaning machine if cleaning using the water extraction method. Alternatively, hire a professional carpet cleaning service.
Endnote
There are various flooring types, each with unique care needs. Familiarize yourself with the different types of floors and how to clean them.
