Cleaning Floors & Countertops For Best Effects
Solutions Underfoot
Nothing shows dirt faster in your home than the floor. Whatever kind (or combination) of flooring you have, there’s a proper way to keep it clean. Here are some tips from the cleaning experts at Park-Ellis ServiceMaster.
Vinyl Flooring
Sweep your floors regularly to keep abrasive soil off the surface. Good floor mats inside and outside your entrances will help prevent dirt from being tracked in. Also on a regular basis, damp mop using a gallon of water and a mild neutral cleaner, such as a dash of liquid dishwashing detergent. Wait a little while after mopping to allow the cleaning liquid to penetrate the ground-in dirt, then wipe dry with a soft dry cloth.
If you need to loosen stubborn, ground-in dirt, scrub your floor gently with a white nylon-backed sponge. When time allows, scrubbing on your hands and knees yields the best results.
No-wax Floors
Over time, and particularly with heavy use, the glossy layer of no-wax floors becomes worn or dull in spots. It will need to be covered with a floor finish or wax to restore a uniform shine. If you have a new no-wax floor and no kids, little other traffic, and you don’t wear shoes inside, you can keep it looking great for years without wax. However, if you have a lot of activity and tracked-in dirt, or if your floor is showing signs of wear, keep it waxed to protect it from further deterioration.
You can select a name-brand floor polish at the supermarket, or buy a self-polishing, metal-interlock floor finish from a janitorial supply store. After the initial waxing, re-coat the major traffic areas as needed to maintain a good protective layer. Whether you opt to wax your floor or not, sweeping and mopping as described above are important.
Ceramic Tile Floors
Sweep and mop your ceramic floors regularly, and they’ll stay clean and shiny. Ceramic floors do not need any wax or floor finish. Simply mop with clear water (or add a few drops of liquid dish detergent) and change the water when it gets cloudy. Using too much soap or dirty water will leave a dull, sticky film. Also, never use brown or black nylon-backed scrub pads on ceramic tile, or you will scratch the surface.
Wood Floors
The best thing you can do for any wood floor is to vacuum or dust mop it regularly. This prevents dirt from building up and damaging the floor. Certain treated wood floors require specific cleaning methods, so check with a flooring specialist first before using any cleaning products. However, you can mix ¼ cup of apple cider vinegar into a gallon of warm water to make a mild floor cleaning solution for wood floors. To clean the floor with this solution:
If you have finished wood floors, eventually the finish will come off with wear. Very likely, you will need to refinish the floors or begin waxing them.
Indoor/Outdoor Carpeting
Indoor/outdoor carpets and Astroturf™ are completely synthetic, so they are easy to clean and difficult to damage. Because they are used outside, they tend to attract mold or growths that feed on the soil in the carpet. Here are some tips from ServiceMaster Clean for cleaning these materials:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a fast way to shine wood floors?
Put a piece of waxed paper under your dust mop. Dirt will stick to the mop and the wax will shine your floors.
How should I clean countertops?
What’s the best way to clean grout?
To clean old grout:
To clean mildewed grout in tub and shower enclosures:
To clean colored grout:
What is the best way to clean marble?
If your polished marble is protected with floor finish, the finish must be buffed or burnished and periodically replaced to keep the surface protected and looking good.
How should I clean my cultured marble?
Cultured marble is stronger than real marble, but it does lose its luster after being cleaned over the years.
If all else fails, call the professionals @ Park-Ellis ServiceMaster (419) 861-9602.