Directory Image
This website uses cookies to improve user experience. By using our website you consent to all cookies in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

How Do I Clean My Floor? Some Solutions.

Author: Carol Evenson
by Carol Evenson
Posted: Dec 27, 2017

As there are different types of flooring, there are different ways to clean them. A sopping wet mop that is fine for one floor is catastrophic for another. Here are different floors and the best ways to clean them.

Wood

How a wood floor is cleaned depends on whether it is sealed with polyurethane or finished with wax. Most modern floors are sealed with polyurethane. A polyurethane sealed floor only needs regular vacuuming. If it needs to be mopped, the mop needs to be wrung out until it’s nearly dry after being dipped in a solution of 1/4 cup of vinegar to a quart of warm water or a solution made for polyurethane floors. A bamboo floor, which is actually a grass that is treated like hardwood, should be cleaned the same way.

If the wood floor is covered with wax, spills should be wiped up right away, as wax is not as water resistant as polyurethane. Other than that, the floor should be vacuumed or gently mopped with plain, lukewarm water after the mop is wrung until it is nearly dry.

Brick

Brick tends to be very porous, so if the floor is indoors, it needs to be sealed with a sealer made specifically for masonry. A coat of paste wax gives additional protection. Brick floors should be mopped with a solution of pH neutral cleaner in warm water.

Cork

Cork is harvested from a special kind of oak tree and is sustainable because the oak does not have to be killed for it to be harvested. Cork is usually sealed with a plastic-like finish even before it leaves the factory and like other types of wood should never be cleaned with a sopping wet mop. If it is waxed, it should be cleaned like a waxed wooden floor. If not, it should be damp mopped with a solution of pH neutral cleanser and warm water.

Glazed Tile

Tile and grout cleaning is a special challenge. Glazed tile is waterproof and easy to clean but grout is porous and picks up dirt, grime, stains and even pathogens easily. The solution is to treat grout with a sealant a few times a year and make sure that all cleanser is washed off of the tile after every cleaning, since cleansers in the grout can attract dirt. To clean glazed tile, use an all purpose cleaner and warm water. Avoid cleansers that are acidic and oil-based. Acid etches the ceramic and eats away at the grout. Avoid ammonia, because it causes the grout to discolor.

Unglazed Tile

Unglazed tile needs to be sealed, because it is at least as porous as brick. Even water can stain a floor made of a clay tile such as saltillo. An unglazed tile floor should ideally be sealed at the factory then covered with paste wax. The grout between the tiles must also be sealed to avoid it becoming stained and dirty. Other than this, unglazed tile that has been sealed should be cleaned the same as glazed tile. If it has a wax layer, it should be cleaned like a waxed wood floor.

Vinyl

As long as its coating is intact, vinyl doesn’t need much more than damp mopping and dusting. If the vinyl doesn’t have a wear layer or if the wear layer has been stripped off over the years, the floor should be protected with a wax made for vinyl floors. If the floor is unwaxed, use pH neutral cleanser and warm water. If the floor is waxed, use plain water. If the floor is truly grimy, use a vinyl cleanser. The mop should be wrung out so that water doesn't get into the seams between the tiles.

As can be seen, cleaning any sort of floor does not require expensive or exotic cleansers. Some knowledge of cleansers to avoid, and a regular cleaning schedule should keep every floor in good shape for years.

About the Author

Carol also is passionate about health and fitness and stays active on her free time. She enjoys hikes and participates in multiple marathons. She loves learning to new tips on health and enjoys sharing her knowledge with her readers

Rate this Article
Leave a Comment
Author Thumbnail
I Agree:
Comment 
Pictures
Author: Carol Evenson

Carol Evenson

Member since: Nov 24, 2017
Published articles: 35

Related Articles