6 Tips for Cleaning Your Floors and Carpets

Posted on January 28, 2021

When it comes to keeping our homes nice and clean, a very important part of the process is taking care of the floors and carpets, as they are some of the most frequently “used and abused” components of the domestic habitat. Whether you prefer to keep the floor uncovered or you opted for a carpet, here are 6 tips for keeping them clean and spotless.

1. Prevention Can Go A Long Way

There are a few rules that help keep a carpet looking clean and new. Firstly, keep liquids and food away from your carpet, especially the kind that can leave permanent (or difficult to clean) stains, such as red wine, coffee, oil, etc.

Secondly, and perhaps a little obviously, take off your shoes. In the long term, these habits are bound to pay off. If, however, this does not work for you (maybe you have frequent guests or kids) then we suggest using area rugs. These are less expensive and easier to clean (some can even be cleaned in the washing machine).

2. Vacuuming, Done Right

Regular vacuum cleaning should prolong the life and overall presentation of your carpets. Vacuuming twice a week and making sure you move the furniture that covers the carpets is just the first step. Next, remember to vacuum thoroughly, going up and down, as well as across. This technique will ensure that any dust hiding under the fibers will be removed.

Make sure your vacuum has been emptied before use and that it is fully charged, if you happen to be using a cordless variety. The suction power will be visibly increased, saving you a lot of time and effort.

3. Calling the Professionals

Regardless of the state your carpets are in, the best way to maintain them clean, disinfected and long-lasting is to employ a professional cleaning service. Once every 12 to 18 months your carpets need to be steam cleaned. This is a procedure that helps take out any stubborn residue trapped between the fibers.

The professional steam work is followed by high power vacuuming, which ensures even the most stubborn dust particles will be removed, leaving your carpets clean and disinfected.

4. Winning the Fight Against Stains

When it comes to stains, the most annoying part is how specific they are. Unfortunately, no one solution exists that can deal with the variety of possible mishaps that can result in stained carpets or furniture. However, we can keep a few things handy to help alleviate the issue: a clean white towel, laundry detergent, or white vinegar can do wonders. But there’s more.

Ketchup or soy sauce stains can be easily removed by rubbing the carpet with a paper towel damped in ammonia solution. Lipstick can be removed by rubbing alcohol, and so on. The good news is stain remover solutions are usually cheap and there’s also a variety of DIY solutions for those willing to get their hands a little dirty.

5. The ABC Of Squeaky Clean Hardwood Floors

Hardwood is one of the most common types of floor materials. It can look sharp, elegant and exquisite and it feels nice when stepped on. And because it is always better to prevent, we encourage you to maintain a weekly routine. For example, vacuuming the dust and dry debris, and then going for wet mopping. Of course, if you have pets, more frequent cleaning sessions may be indicated. But otherwise, hardwood flooring is a very forgiving material to maintain.

After regular cleaning, once every 3 to 4 weeks, you should apply a thorough deep clean. For this, you will need a special solution in accordance with your floor finish. This can be a surface finish or a penetrating finish. To check how to determine what type of finish your hardwood has, you can use a few drops of water on it. If the water sticks to the surface you have a surface finish. If it disappears into the wood, then it is a penetrating finish.

6. Keeping the Tiles Shining

Tiled floors are an excellent choice if you have pets, but also if you prefer a colorful and distinct environment. The good news is that tiles are also very easy to keep clean and shiny, especially if you follow the simplest routine.

For the living area, you can vacuum and then mop the tiled floor once a week, while the bathroom area may require twice-a-week attention, since it generates more traffic. Also, an in depth clean should be done once every 3 months, when we recommend using a special solution to take care of the stains and the grout. For the latter, when it comes to in-depth cleaning, a toothbrush will most definitely be your best friend.

By applying any of these cleaning routines, your future self will thank you 5, 10, or even 15 years later. Remember that prevention is easier than fixing, but every accident has its solution. Find out what works best for your home. Keep it cozy, keep it clean, and stay healthy!