What Are Some General Cleaning Tips For All Types Of Floors?

Burleson says hardwood floors are beautiful, but he also says they require a lot of care. He suggests following a few simple tips to keep your floor looking beautifully.

"One thing I can think of that nobody really does is to shift your area rugs every few months because of ultraviolet light and the way it affects the Polyurethane.. Also, never have area rugs steam cleaned as they sit on top of the floor. You have to take them somewhere and have it done, or do it outside. That's something that I see damage from quite a bit," Burleson says.

For no-wax floors, using a doormat at each entrance of your home will help keep out the dirt and debris that can be tracked in on your shoes. For the best results, place a mat both inside and outside of the doors.

Burleson says you should sweep and vacuum your no-wax floors regularly. Sweeping the floors every day will get rid of the daily dust that accumulates and will get rid of the dirt and other debris that can cause damage on the protective top layer of your no-wax floor.
Wipe spills off of your floors as soon as possible, using warm water. Dry with a clean cotton towel.

If the no-wax floor is stained with food, beverages or rust, cover the stain with a white cotton or terrycloth washcloth filled with a mild bleach solution (one capful of bleach to one gallon of water). Cover and leave on the stain no longer than one hour; then, rinse the area thoroughly with water before proceeding to the next step.

For stubborn oil-based stains, ink stains and scuff marks, use a white cotton or terrycloth washcloth saturated with isopropyl alcohol to wipe up the stain. After this, you will want to rinse the area thoroughly with water.

To remove paint or nail polish from your floor, you should use alcohol to wipe up the stain. You should then damp mop the floor with a mild solution of ammonia and water. Mix one to three capfuls of ammonia to one gallon of warm water. You may also use a mild solution of vinegar and water. Never use a harsh or abrasive cleaner as this will scratch the surface of the floor. Overdoing the ammonia or vinegar mixture is not a good idea either as it will leave your floors looking dull. Do not use a regular floor wax. Rinsing the floor with a warm water rinse, will help your floor maintain its shine. You then should dry the floor with a clean white cotton or terrycloth towel. Drying the floor may seem like an unnecessary step, but don't skip it. It will help you maintain an even floor shine.

Burleson says the biggest advice he can give is to never use Pergo on laminate floors. He recommends staying away from this type of floor altogether.

"It's basically a picture of a hardwood floor imposed on plastic, and its not nailed down or glued down or anything. It's just kind of laying there and it just doesn't last. That's what we're having to compete with in the industry. We mainly like to deal with solid hardwoods, you know, the real thing," Burleson says.

Whether you have a hardwood or no-wax floor, proper cleaning can help keep its natural beauty. If you have any questions, you can always call up the company where you bought your floor and ask them about cleaning solutions. Another idea is to do some research on the Internet. There are many professionals who have experience cleaning your type of floor.