By Annamarie Amore
Just Floored
Annamarie Mastrangelo
Taking care of your floors is an important task. We spend a lot of money on carpet, hardwood or luxury vinyl tile, and we want it to look its best all the time.
So what do we do if we spill? What happens if we drop food or the kids come in with muddy shoes?
Let’s start with carpet. Red wine, grass, mud: so many stains can happen. There are some great products like Stainmaster carpet stain remover. It penetrates deep to lift out tough, set-in stains and repels dirt by creating a protective shield. Obviously you want to make sure that you check with the manufacturer of your carpet to make sure there aren’t specific cleaning instructions. Sometimes you are going to want to have it professionally cleaned if it’s a wool or organic fiber. Nevertheless, here are some steps to making sure you can get almost any stain out.
- Before you use any kind of cleaner, remove soil and blot any excess liquid.
- Wet the stain with warm water and blot again.
- Spray the product you are using liberally on the affected area.
- Wait three to five minutes to allow the solution to penetrate the stain (through the padding to avoid reappearing stains).
- Dampen the spot with water and blot it with a clean, colorfast paper towel or cloth.
- Repeat as necessary to remove the stain
Treat stains immediately. Set-in stains can be more difficult to remove.
Dish detergents like Dawn and vinegar can also be used to remove stains. Always make sure you test the carpet in an inconspicuous spot before using it on the stain. Use a clean white rag to blot the liquid to remove the stain. Continue until the stain is removed.
Even fast and diligent cleaning might not be enough. So you need to know when it is best to call in the professionals, especially if it is a higher-end carpet.
Most of our homes have hardwood floors. We love them, but they take a beating. The fail-safe product for these floors is soap and water.
- Make sure that we sweep or vacuum daily if possible and mop once or twice a week. You can mop once or twice a month in a less-trafficked area.
- Water is wood’s worst enemy. Use a damp mop rather than a soaking wet mop. You also don’t want the water to sit on your hardwood floors, so work in small areas at a time. After you mop or scrub the section, dry it with a clean mop or cloth.
- Do not use oils, waxes or furniture sprays. Oil will leave a residue, and furniture spray will make it like an ice-skating rink.
Daily maintenance will also help with LVT or any other kind of tile. You want to be sure you’re sweeping or vacuuming and mopping when needed. Mild shampoo is also another great tool for keeping your floors looking their best. Mixing a squirt of shampoo with a gallon of warm water will help remove any hairspray buildup that you might have on your floors.
If you are going to try any kind of cleansers, you want to try them in an inconspicuous space and make sure they don’t damage the floors first. No matter what you have for flooring in your home, daily maintenance will help keep it looking its best. Sweeping, mopping and vacuuming are the best options before any harsh cleansers. If a stain is really bad, don’t hesitate to call in the professionals.