There are likely several different types of flooring and floor materials throughout your home, and each of these require different types of protection and care. To keep all your floors in top condition, you need to know what care requirements they each have. Here are a few tips for protecting different floors in your home to keep them looking new for years.
Choose the Right Products When Cleaning
First, know that cleaning your floors is essential no matter which material you use. It is the easiest and most efficient way to extend the life of your floor. Sweep non-carpeted floors twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening, to get rid of food crumbs, dust, grime, or dirt. While these may not seem like a big deal, they can ruin the floors. Microfiber dust mops are inexpensive, simple to use, and highly effective at picking the smallest particles.
When you’re using cleaning chemicals to clean up spills and other messes, check the label on the cleaner to ensure that they won’t damage your floors. Do not use diluted vinegar to clean, as it tends to fade things out. Also avoid using soap-based cleaners as they leave remnants on the finish, which can cause damage.
Recoat Wood Floors Regularly
Even with cleaning the floors daily, some damage will likely still happen. With time you will notice scratches and scuffs on your wood floors, and the finish of the boards will fade and wear. Recoating them revamp the floors, making them brighter and shinier. This will also help prevent future scratches and scuffs. You should usually recoat every three to five years, or if you notice it getting dull and scratched.
Protect Concrete Floors
While concrete floors may seem indestructible, they can get scratched or dented by heavy objects being dragged across them. They can also crack due to fluctuations in temperature or other issues. You can use an epoxy garage floor coating for concrete floors in the garage, basement, or elsewhere in your home. Epoxy is a liquid that hardens after application. In addition to reinforcing the floor and protecting it, an epoxy coating can also make it look cleaner and more attractive. Concrete epoxy is resilient, long-lasting, and easy to retain. Applying it over concrete floors furnishes a smooth, durable, and high-performance surface that lasts years and endure heavy loads.
Applying epoxy requires a spotless and penetrable surface to stick properly. Concrete should not be polished; otherwise, epoxy will not work. The concrete must be healthy. Remove all grease and patches, and repair cracks before applying an epoxy coat. Test the surface for anterior layers for other products if the concrete is old.
Clean Carpets Frequently
Keep doormats or rugs at all entrances for visitors and family members to clean their shoes. This will protect the carpets throughout the rest of your home from picking up this dirt instead. For indoor house pets, keep pet towels within reach of the door to clean their paws before allowing them to enter the house. Vacuum your carpets frequently to avoid the accumulation of dust. You can also apply a stain protectant coating to the carpets or invest in waterproof carpets. This minimizes wear and tear and safeguards them from any spillage or stains. If you do spill something, be sure to clean it up quickly or it will be difficult to get out.
Be Careful With Vinyl Flooring
Many people like vinyl floors because they’re a cheaper alternative to hardwood or tile floors while still being attractive. They are also very durable and more resistant to water damage than hardwood. However, they can still be damaged. It is important to lift furniture if you have vinyl flooring instead of sliding it. Sliding furniture will scratch, dent, rip, or otherwise harm the floor. Use an area rug or glue felt pads to protect the floors.
Protecting your floors doesn’t have to be difficult. If you remember a few simple care tips for the flooring in your home, your floors will look beautiful for years to come.
