Look After Laminate

Luckily, Laminate floors are created to maintain their looks for many years with minimum maintenance. Most come with a 10 to 20 year warranty against fading, wearing and staining. For more difficult stains or marks use a dry mop or damp towel for easy cleaning. Remember, when cleaning Vinyl and Laminate floors try to minimise the amount of water used on the surface to stop premature fading. A 'dry mop' where the water is wrung out after each use is ideal in these situations.

Protect My Timber Floor

Dirt and Grit is the number one enemy of polished timber floors. Too much rubbed into the surface can have a sanding effect and will wear down your finish. Doormats should be placed at every entrance to catch dirt and grit before it can enter the house, while hall mats and runners will further reduce the amount brought into the house. If you have brand new timber floors, wait a week for the finish to 'cure' or settle before using cleaning products. Cure takes about a week. Clean up bad spills immediately (including water) and do not use abrasive chemicals. Implements like steel wool and scrubbing brushes can damage your finish so steer clear of these too. When you do mop the floor do not use much water as timber is susceptible to moisture. If using a cleaning product read the label first to ensure it can be used on natural wood surfaces - some detergents are harsh.

Clean Tiles Properly

Tiles require little maintenance as they do not show up dirt and grit easily. Unfortunately this doesn't mean it isn't there. Try to regularly sweep or vacuum your tiles even if they are still looking clean. Mopping can be done as little as weekly as long as you sweep the area first - we all know what dirt becomes when water is added - mud! The grout, or space in between your tiles, will be more likely to catch dirt and grit than the tiles themselves. For this reason invest in a microfiber mop instead of a sponge - microfibers will pick up the dirt while a sponge mop will drag it across.