Floor Care for High Traffic Areas and Spills
The high traffic areas of our homes take a beating, especially if we have a household with kids, pets or both! But no matter how many mess-makers happen to share your home, knowing how to care for your floors is half the battle. Keep reading for tips to ensure that yours stay in tip top shape!
High Traffic Areas
We all have rooms where there seems to be more than average traffic. Think foyers or entryways, hallways, family or great rooms. They are where the action is, or how one would get to where the action is! How you take care of these areas can depend on what sort of flooring you have.
Your hard surface floors such as hardwood flooring, laminate, and luxury vinyl are easily maintained with routine sweeping, appropriate mopping care, and some attention to detail. You will want to sweep up any spills that are potentially abrasive, such as sand or anything gritty. They can scratch the surface of your flooring, and this is especially true of older hardwood floors. Newer floors have a more advanced protective layer that protects them from wear. However, you should still be gentle when cleaning to stay safe from scratches!
If you have genuine wood floors, review your manufacturer’s mopping guidelines carefully beforehand. Excess moisture is not a good condition for your naturally porous planks. With laminate and vinyl floors, you will have much greater capability with how you clean your surfaces! Both regular sweeping and mopping will go a long way in preserving the appearance of your rooms.
If you have carpet, your vacuum will be your best friend in keeping those high traffic areas looking great. Vacuum regularly, checking for signs of wear, stains, or other damage, and address small issues appropriately before they become big problems. Rotate your furniture arrangement to give highly used areas a break. Schedule quarterly or annual carpet cleaning with professionals to lift out daily dirt and allergens, and remove any stubborn stains.
Cleaning Stains on Floors
Stain proof technology has come a long way. In many cases, it will save your floors from developing permanent spots. While it is more difficult to stain a hard surface floor than a carpet, it is not impossible! Be sure to clean up any wet spills as soon as you notice them to avoid staining and other potential damag..
For carpets, blot as much of the stain out with towels before using an approved stain treatment. Allow that to penetrate the stain, and then follow the instructions on the product to remove the stain. In some cases, you may need to repeat this process until the stain is completely removed, or call a professional for help.
Area Rugs
A great way to protect your high traffic areas is to invest in some area rugs or runners. Whether you have a hard surface floor or wall to wall carpet, area rugs can protect your flooring from additional wear, or even stains. They can catch dirt and absorb moisture before either make their way to the floor beneath. Area rugs can be shaken out, vacuumed, shampooed, or in some cases, even washed in the laundry. They are an excellent way to protect your floors and even change the vibe of your decor, without breaking the bank. Look for festive rugs to style your home for the holidays, or change them out seasonally, as you would any other decorations.
For more tips to keep your floors looking great, or if you find yourself in need of a flooring upgrade, visit our helpful staff at DeHaan Tile & Floor Covering. They can help by recommending products and methods to care for your existing floors, or talk you through what is entailed in replacing your flooring. Either way, you can count on them to steer you in the right direction in regard to your needs and help you maximize your budget.
