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Cleaning your floors may seem like a simple task, but it's surprisingly easy to make mistakes that can lead to less-than-perfect results or even damage. Whether you're dealing with hardwood, tile, laminate, or carpet, each type of flooring requires specific care to keep it looking its best.
Let’s explore 13 of the most common mistakes you might be making when cleaning your floors and extend their lifespan. And learn how to clean your floors more effectively and maintain them for years to come.
Knowing what your floors are made from is crucial when it comes to cleaning them properly. Different flooring materials have unique properties and care requirements, and using the wrong cleaning methods or products can cause damage, reduce longevity, or simply result in ineffective cleaning.
Once you’ve identified the type of flooring you’ve got, you’re then able to properly and thoroughly clean them and get the best results.
So what are all the most common mistakes people make when cleaning their floors? We’ve previously discussed how to prevent streaky, sticky floors after mopping, but let’s go through some other mistakes you could be making.
Different floor types (hardwood, tile, laminate, carpet) require different cleaning solutions. Using the wrong one can damage the floor. For example, using too much liquid with water-based cleaners on hardwood can cause warping.
To prevent this, always use the correct cleaning solution for your floor type.
Mopping Tip 1: If you’ve got different floor types throughout the home, opt for an all-purpose cleaner that can be used on all floor types. This way you don’t have to invest in several different products and you won’t use the wrong cleaner by accident.
Another mistake made is using excessive water to mop. This can damage wood and laminate floors by seeping into seams and causing swelling or warping. Even tile floors can suffer if water seeps into grout lines, leading to mold growth.
Avoid using mops that are difficult to wring out, such as traditional cotton string mops.
Mopping Tip 2: For hardwood and vinyl plank flooring, damp mopping is best. Opt for a microfiber flat mop and get the pad lightly damp instead of saturated.
The third mistake often made is not sweeping or vacuuming the floors before mopping. Mopping or scrubbing a dirty floor can push dirt and debris around, scratching the surface and making it harder to clean.
Always sweep, dust mop, or vacuum first to remove loose debris and make your life a lot easier.
Mopping Tip 3: A microfiber dust mop is one of the most effective ways to remove loose debris, dirt, and dust from floors before wet mopping. Compared to a broom or vacuum that flicks or blows dust around, a dust mop traps debris in its fibers giving you a more thorough clean.
The next mistake commonly made is not using clean tools on your floors. Reusing dirty mops, cloths, or water can spread dirt rather than remove it.
Ensure cleaning tools are clean before using them, and swap out dirty mop water as you go to prevent cross contamination.
Mopping Tip 4: Use the two-bucket method when mopping; have one bucket for clean water with your floor cleaner and one bucket for rinsing the dirty mop. That way you’ll always have clean water to mop with.
Most floor manufacturers will provide specific cleaning instructions for your flooring. Ignoring these can void warranties and cause damage.
Always, always, always read any labels or instructions. If you can’t find them on the product itself, check online.
Many floor cleaners don’t require rinsing after use, but some do. So read the instructions to be sure, as leaving cleaning solution residue can attract more dirt and create a sticky surface.
Make sure to rinse thoroughly with clean water if needed.
Some floor materials are less durable than others. Tools like scrub brushes or pads can be too abrasive and can scratch and damage a floor's finish, especially on wood and laminate floors.
Avoid using anything that could be abrasive or scratch the surface of your flooring.
Mopping Tip 5: To remove sticky or stuck-on spots on your flooring, apply some citrus-based goo remover to break down soils, and then buff off with a soft microfiber towel. Then mop as normal.
Another common mistake is moving furniture without proper protection, like furniture pads or felt protectors. Without proper diligence, furniture can easily scratch and damage floors.
Always lift rather than drag furniture where possible, or invest in a furniture jack that makes moving furniture around safe and easy for one person.
Mopping Tip 6: A microfiber flat mop with a telescoping handle and swivel head can maneuver around and underneath furniture easily without struggling.
Steam cleaners are all the rave right now for chemical-free cleaning. The problem is, steam can cause moisture damage to wood and laminate floors.
You can use steam cleaners if the manufacturer says you can, otherwise, avoid completely.
Mopping floors can be a tedious task, so it’s tempting to cut corners to get it done faster. But these areas tend to accumulate dirt and grime the most if not cleaned regularly. This leads to buildup that's harder to remove later.
To prevent buildup, always mop floors thoroughly, including the edges and corners.
Mopping Tip 7: A high-quality microfiber flat mop is one of the most effective ways to clean into corners. The pads are constructed with wrap-around microfiber, so getting into tricky spots is easy.
Not all flooring types need waxing or polishing. If you do use wax or polish on floors that are not meant to be waxed, such as some laminate or prefinished wood floors, it can cause buildup and can also damage them.
Read the flooring manufacturers' care instructions, and always use good quality wax and polish products and tools to apply product.
Cleaning routines should be done regularly, and include floors. Regularly sweeping, dust mopping, or vacuuming, spot cleaning, and mopping are all essential to maintain floors and prevent the need for deep cleaning as often.
Create a schedule for cleaning your floors based on foot traffic and whether you’ve got pets to ensure your floors stay well-maintained.
Having a freshly mopped, wet floor can be a real inconvenience when you’ve got kids, pets, or things to do around the house. But walking on wet floors can leave footprints and spread dirt.
Always allow floors to dry completely before using the area again.
Mopping Tip 8: A great way to clean floors so they dry fast is to use the spray bottle method with a microfiber flat mop. Lightly spritz your floor with your cleaner and mop using a figure-8 motion. This cleans effectively and dries almost instantly.
Maintaining clean and beautiful floors is an essential part of home care, but it's easy to make mistakes that can lead to less-than-ideal results or even damage. By being aware of the 13 common floor cleaning mistakes we've discussed, you can ensure your cleaning routine is more effective and your floors remain in top condition.
From using the right cleaning products and tools to understanding the specific needs of your flooring material, these common mistakes and adopting the correct cleaning techniques will not only save time and effort but also protect your investment.
Here's to cleaner, more beautiful floors that stand the test of time!
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