Whether a homeowner has high end carpeting, wood flooring or resilient flooring, the right maintenance will keep them looking their best for years, if not decades. However, a mistake can be catastrophic. Here are a few common flooring maintenance mistakes:
Using Lots of Water to Clean a Hardwood or Bamboo Floor
Wood floor should never be soaked in water because they can swell up. Even wooden floors sealed with polyurethane need to be mopped with care, because the water can seep under the baseboards and infiltrate cracks and again cause the wood to swell. The mop should be damp, and the floor should really need to be cleaned. It’s best to use a cleanser made for polyurethane sealants.
If the floor is waxed, even damp mopping can be risky. If the surface has scratches, these can be buffed and rewaxed, but waxed hardwood floors should only be cleaned with a cloth that has been dipped in plain water and wrung out until it’s almost dry.
Using Acidic Cleaners On Stone or Ceramic Tile Floors
Acidic cleaners used on these types of floors will etch them, especially if the ceramic tile is not glazed, and the stone is not sealed. They can also ruin the grout between the tiles, as can ammonia and bleach. Ammonia should also not be used on linoleum floors.
Leaving Stone, Concrete or Terracotta Floors Unsealed
Terracotta, concrete and most stone floors are extremely porous and need to be sealed. Even water can leave stains on them. The floors should be sealed when they are installed and re-sealed every few years. If there is grout between the tiles, the grout needs to be sealed with grout sealer, which may need to be refreshed every few months.
Mistaking Pectin For Pepsin When Cleaning Carpets
Pepsin is good for cleaning proteins such as blood out of a carpet, but some people have been known to mistake pectin for it. Pepsin is an enzyme that dissolves proteins, but pectin, which is used to make jellies and jams, will make the protein set.
Letting People Walk On Floors With Their Shoes On
Members of the household and guests should be told to leave their footwear in the entry hall, especially if the footwear has high, pointy heels or cleats. Footwear in general brings dirt and grime into the house and then grinds it into the material of the floor. High heels and cleats leave dings. Another way to avoid dings is to put cups under the feet of heavy furniture. Wearing shoes indoor also brings unwanted bacteria.
Placing Brightly Colored Rugs In Direct Sunlight
Sunlight will fade brightly colored rugs and carpets. Place them out of the sun, or in a room that doesn’t get much sunlight in the first place.
