Tips on how to maintain your flooring: the ultimate floor care guide

• Use floor protectors to support furniture to avoid dents and stains on the floors. The heavier the furniture, the wider the protector should be. Ensure that the protectors are non pigmented to prevent discolouration. The protectors should be at least 1” in diameter and lay flat against the floor.

• Blotting is the best practice to clean any spills. For cleaning oiled floors, wine spills or splattered paint, blot using paper towels and clean immediately to avoid stains. Make sure to start at the edges and then move inwards to not spread the spill. Dry the area after cleaning to prevent it from becoming slippery.

• To avoid the spread of dirt and debris and prevent extra tile wear, place mats and carpets in areas that see heavy movement.
   

• Wax and oil-based cleaners are known to damage the slip resistance of tiles. Steer clear of such cleaners.

• If the tile is textured or coarse, you might need to agitate the floor with a mop or scrub and change the water more frequently for the last wipe.

• Since tile is installed using grout, you should also pay attention to grout maintenance. For this, avoid cleaning solutions with acids and ammonia. Instead, opt for ones formulated explicitly for grout. Always make sure to thoroughly dry the tiles after cleaning.
   

• Use a sponge or scrubs with soft bristles to agitate the cleaning solution.
  
  
• Make sure that the attachments of vacuum cleaners are not worn. Worn metal and plastic can easily cause the stone floors to scratch.
  
  
• Use heavy-duty stone cleaners to effectively remove grease, wax, or debris from stone floors. Wipe with a soft material like a sponge and buff it dry.
   
• Use stone specific poultice to remove stains. If it causes dullness in polished stone, you might use stone polish to restore the shine.
  
  
• All stones, be it marble, granite, or something else should be sealed for maximum protection against stains. Make sure to re-seal stone floors every couple of years for maintenance and to avoid stains and etchings.

4. Caring for Carpet:

Carpets can easily stain and get filthy. A large part of maintaining carpeted floors is cleaning them regularly and correctly.

• At the very least, thorough steam cleaning every few months is recommended to avoid the build-up of pollutants and microbes that can lead to sickness.

• Regular detergents require a lot of water to rinse off thoroughly. Avoid  using these to clean carpets as they can act as dirt magnets if not removed completely. Instead, opt for absorption friendly cleaners made specifically for carpet cleaning.

5. Hardwood Flooring Cleaning:

Regular cleaning and maintaining your hardwood floors per the manufacturer’s instructions is the perfect way to minimize wear and keep it looking beautiful.

• Use dollies or protective plywood sheets or mdf sheets to move heavy furniture or appliances. This will protect the floor from scratches dents. Check out mdf sheet vs plywood sheet material is best for your home.

• You must maintain the humidity levels in the house to protect the floors against excessive expansion or shrinkage. If you live in an area with low humidity, use humidifiers to increase humidity. If you live in a region with high humidity, use air conditioners, heaters and dehumidifiers to maintain the temperature and humidity in your home.

• Constant exposure to sunlight causes the hardwood floors to age. This means that the wood is susceptible to discolouration and fading. To make sure that the wood ages evenly, periodically move the furniture and rugs in the room.

6. Total Floor Care for Vinyl Flooring:

Vinyl flooring might be relatively durable and low maintenance, but it is also susceptible to discolouration and damage if not cared for regularly and as well as possible.

• Routinely care for it by sweeping, mopping and vacuuming. This will ensure that there is no scuffing due to debris and grit.

• Clean spills immediately to avoid staining and discolouration.

• Avoid vacuums with beater bars to prevent scuffing.

• Make sure that the cleaning products you use are safe for vinyl, lest they lead to discolouration and fade.

• Use rugs and mats made of breathable material and are slip-resistant. Avoid mats backed with rubber or latex, as they can leave permanent stains on the floor.

• To move furniture without worrying about scratches, use rubber casters or glides under the legs of the furniture.

At Asian Paints Beautiful Homes, we have a team of experienced interior designers and professionals who understand what you want and provide personalized solutions.

You can visit our website to check various options offered and projects executed by us so far. If you wish, you can book your 3D consultation call to understand the project’s process, design, home renovation and execution or walk into any of our stores across India. Our current stores are spread across Amritsar, Tumakuru, Raipur, Jaipur, New Delhi, Kochi, Karur, Coimbatore, Bengaluru and Nashik. In addition, we are in the process of opening up state-of-the-art stores across several cities.