From laminate to natural stone, here's how to get every floor in your home sparkling clean.
Melanie Mannarino is a freelance writer and editor specializing in lifestyle and wellness. Her work has appeared in Real Simple, Cosmopolitan, Marie Claire, and other national brands, and she's the author of four books, including "The (Almost) Zero-Waste Guide." Bamboo Floor Tiles
When the foundation of every room is sparkling, your entire home looks incredibly clean. But don't break out the knee pads and scrub brushes just yet. Whether you have tile, hardwood, or vinyl floors each type of flooring has particular cleaning requirements. Follow these guidelines for the right cleanser, the best tools, and the ideal technique for your specific type of flooring.
"Hardwood floors typically have one of two finishes: polyurethane or wax. Not sure what you're standing on? Rub your finger across the surface," said Meg Roberts, president of Molly Maid. "If a smudge appears, the floor is likely waxed."
Here is how to clean your polyurethane-finished hardwood floors:
Microfiber mops like the Libman Wonder Mop are easy to wring out, making them ideal for hardwood floors that work best with a barely damp (not soaking) mop. Plus, this will help your floor dry faster, so you won't have to wait as long to get back into the kitchen or living room.
Clean high-traffic areas like the kitchen once a week; for less-trafficked areas, mop once a month using a mop recommended for hardwood floors.
If you have waxed wood floors, you're off the hook—sort of. Since this type of flooring can be damaged by even small amounts of water, keep damp mops away from this surface, and instead sweep, dust mop, or vacuum regularly.
Your laminate may resemble hardwood planks or natural stone tile, but you still need to care for it as a laminate. "The good news: Very few things will harm a laminate floor," said Bill Dearing, president of the North American Laminate Flooring Association. After all, the planks are constructed in sun- and light-resistant layers to maintain a like-new appearance for years.
That said, it's important to keep water from getting underneath the planks. Dearing recommends dry mopping or vacuuming the floor, ensuring the machine is on tile mode (as opposed to carpet) so the beater bar is raised. Spot-clean with a slightly damp mop when necessary.
Dearing's last bit of advice: Never polish a laminate floor. If the finish of a plank looks damaged, it's best to replace it.
The same quality that makes this natural material so beautiful—its porosity—makes it very susceptible to water damage. Because it's so absorbent, most cork flooring is sealed, but you still need to proceed with caution.
"Vacuum often to prevent scratching, wipe up spills immediately, and wash cork floors once a week," said Leslie Reichert, the Green Cleaning Coach.
Reichert suggests skipping commercial cleaning products in favor of a vinegar-and-soapy-water solution. Naturally acidic vinegar works with the soap to break down dirt, cut through the build-up, and disinfect. Here's how to clean cork floor:
Bamboo is sustainable, beautiful—and in some cases, softer and more prone to nicks and scratches than hardwood floors. Unless you have strand bamboo flooring—the hardest, most durable type available—be extra vigilant about regularly sweeping up dirt and debris. "Especially with the expense of bamboo, extra care should be used," said Roberts, who uses a tennis ball to gently buff out marks.
She uses the same cleaning solution on bamboo as on hardwood:
We're not talking about nearly indestructible vinyl flooring (see the next section for tips on cleaning that surface). True linoleum is made from linseed oil, resin, limestone, wood fiber, and cork dust, and colored with mineral pigments.
"Treat this resilient, natural flooring as you would cork," said Reichert.
The floor should air-dry almost immediately, but if it feels slightly sticky to the touch just swipe it with another clean, damp microfiber mop or cloth.
Vinyl flooring is a low-maintenance option when it comes to your cleaning routine. For daily cleaning, simply use a vacuum on your vinyl flooring. Additionally, sweeping can help remove built-up dust and debris. However, if your vinyl floor is looking a little dirtier than usual and needs a deeper cleanse, use a dampened mop with a neutral detergent to clean your floors.
Place doormats wherever you walk in and out of your home to prevent extra dust and debris from getting inside.
"Whatever you do, leave the vinegar in the pantry," said Kris Koenig, CEO of eco-friendly cleaning company Natura Clean, in Middleton, Wisconsin. Even a small amount of the acidic liquid could damage stone floors, as could bleach and ammonia. Instead, mop sealed-stone floors with a pH-neutral, non-chelating cleaner that won't react adversely to the minerals in natural surfaces.
"If your stone tiles are unsealed, simply mop with a microfiber mop and hot water; chemicals would penetrate the stone. For stubborn dirt, use a steam cleaner," said Reichert.
For weekly cleaning, use Reichert's spritz-and-dry mop technique to keep tile floors looking fresh:
For periodic deep cleans, she likes to use a steam cleaner to clean both tile and grout—the steam does the work of removing stains (and bacteria!), so you don't feel like you're getting an extra workout right there in your kitchen.
For routine carpet cleaning, use a vacuum cleaner. Vacuum cleaners work by sucking up any dirt and debris on top and hidden inside of the carpet. When vacuuming, make sure to move furniture and objects out of the way so you can get every spot on your floor. Vacuum slowly and go over high-traffic areas a few times to ensure thorough cleaning. If you do not have a vacuum cleaner, carpet rakes, carpet sweepers, and brooms are also effective methods to clean your carpet.
If a deep clean is what you're after (which should be done about every six months), a carpet cleaner, steam cleaner, or a professional cleaning may be necessary. You can also thoroughly vacuum, then use a cleaning solution to treat spots, such as one part of white vinegar to three parts of cold water. Be sure to do a spot test in a discreet spot to see how your carpet reacts to the solution.
Gluing Bamboo Flooring Save your future self some carpet cleaning time, and lengthen the lifespan of your carpets, by taking your shoes off as you walk into your home. Shoes will track in all kinds of dirt and gross bacteria (yuck!)