Home renovation is one of the best times; the excitement of planning, the struggle of choosing the right material. And then finally the relief of seeing what we’ve accomplished. Those who have
Home renovation is one of the best times; the excitement of planning, the struggle of choosing the right material. And then finally the relief of seeing what we’ve accomplished. Those who have tried their hands at home design will understand what all the fuss is about. Although quite tedious, the work sure has it high points.And once you’ve completed all the work, you can relax, knowing that you’ve accomplished your goal. Well, you might not be quite finished yet. Why not, you ask? You worked so hard to get the perfect home but you can’t just leave it like that, especially the floors.Depending on the flooring material you’ve used, they’ll require timely maintenance and there’s no better time to do it than now. So just to get you started on your new home design, here are a few common types of flooring options and some tips for their maintenance.Hardwood FlooringMany people go for hardwood floors because they are sturdy, durable and provide elegance to your house. Fortunately, hardwood comes in numerous varieties and can be used almost everywhere in the house.It’s also true that hardwood requires regular maintenance or you might end up having to replace the whole thing during a renovation. Here are a few dos and don’ts of maintaining hardwood.
DosDO Use cotton cloth to wipe away dustDO Use a dry cloth or cotton mop to dustDO Use hardwood flooring cleaner for light stainsDO Use humidifier during winters to minimize gapsDO Place stick-on felt floor protectors under furniture and chair legsDO Place rugs or mats at entrances to keep off dirt getting on the floorDO Use a vacuum cleaner; all attachments except for rotary brush headsDon’tsDON’T Use too much floor waxDON’T Leave spills on the floor for longDON’T Use wet mop to clean the surfaceDON’T Use tile or vinyl cleaning productsDON’T Wear high heels or sports cleats in the houseDON’T Slide furniture over the floor. Lift it up insteadDON’T Use a steam mop without consulting the flooring installerVinyl FlooringVinyl sheet flooring was invented in the early 1930s but didn’t gain much popularity until after World War II. Its resilient nature and low cost made it a great flooring option. Since it doesn’t require much maintenance, it is the preferred choice of flooring for kitchens and bathrooms. Just a quick sweep, a damp mop and the deed is done. A high-quality home design deserves immaculate flooring.It provides great underfoot comfort, ranking above hard surfaces like hardwood and concrete. Some vinyl sheets come with padding that keeps the floor warm in winters and makes it softer to walk on. If properly maintained and regularly cleaned, vinyl sheet flooring can last up to 10-20 years. The biggest advantage? If a vinyl tile gets damaged during renovation, they can be replaced, individually. No extra cost of repairs. The guidelines also work for laminate flooring.
DosDO Use a neutral floor cleaner occasionallyDo clean up stains quickly to avoid stainingDO Use a dry mop, sweep or vacuum whenever neededDO Place rugs or mats at entrances to keep out grit and dirtDO use a plywood path to drag heavy furniture or appliancesDO Place stick-on felt floor protectors under furniture and chair legsDon’tsDON’T Use wax polishDON’T Drench vinyl with waterDON’T Use abrasive detergentsDON’T Use objects with rolling castersDON’T Use wet mop to clean the surfaceDON’T Clean the floor with damn mop frequentlyDON’T Use the beater bar attachment of a vacuumDON’T Place hot items like ashes, heaters or coal on the floorDON’T Let rubber bottoms on items rest on the floor. It can cause stainingTile FlooringBe it ceramic or porcelain, tile flooring provides a versatile option that can be used almost anywhere in the house. Not every home design is perfect for this flooring option since some of its characteristics make it unsuitable for certain locations.One thing about ceramic tiles that need to be praised is its durability. They are extremely tough, difficult to crack and can last for 10-20 years. They have a plethora of designs that make them a must have resource for every home renovation.DO Remove dust before cleaning the tilesDO Use felt protection under your furniture and chairsDO Rinse the whole area after you use a cleaning agentDO Use mild detergent with hot water for mild cleaningDO Test the cleaners on a part of the floor before using itDO Sweep the floor daily and mop it at least twice a weekDO Use only non-abrasive cleaning formulas or compoundsDO Use door mats at exits and entrances, and floor runner rugs for high traffic areasDon’tsDON’T Let spills sit for longDON’T Use wax or oil based cleanersDON’T Flood the floor with too much waterDON’T Use worn out vacuum cleaner attachmentsDON’T Neglect sealing the tiles after every professional cleaningDON’T Use colored cleaning agents on natural stone or unglazed tileDON’T Wait for the floor to get grimy. Avoid neglecting the maintenanceDON’T Combine household bleaches and ammonia for cleaning purposesDON’T Drag heavy objects on tiles. Instead move them carefully on a dollyDON’T Use strong acids or abrasive scrubbing material like steel wool pads to clean the tilesBy following the given guidelines, you can ensure that your flooring lasts for a long time, saving you money and trouble. Using the right products will give you a more thorough clean and flooring that don’t give up on you. So the next time you start a renovation project and feel like replacing that worn hardwood, give it a good cleaning and sanding, and enjoy the brand new look. Your home design deserves the best flooring options you can get. So let’s get started.Referenceshttp://woodfloors.org/maintenance.aspxhttps://www.mohawkflooring.com/flooring/tile/guides/tile-care-maintenancehttp://www.leaffilter.com/blog/how-to-repairs/diy-crafts-projects/dos-and-donts-vinyl-flooring/