Carpet & Rugs
Hard dirt and dust particles can damage the pile of your carpet. Regular vacuuming will remove these particles, enhance your carpet’s appearance and prolong its useful life.
- Vacuum high traffic areas daily, medium to high traffic areas twice weekly and the entire house at least once a week.
- With the exception of thick loop pile carpets that can fuzz, use a vacuum with a rotating brush or beater bar to loosen soil.
- Steam clean every 18 – 24 months to extract dirt deep in the carpet.
- Avoid strong chemicals such as bleach, tile cleaner, mildew removers, oven cleaners, drain openers and plant food that can permanently discolor or dissolve carpet fibers.
- Use mats or runners in high traffic areas and clean these coverings regularly.
- Use furniture coasters to distribute the weight of heavy items.
- When moving furniture, place a protective barrier between furniture and carpeting.
- To prevent fading, close drapes or blinds during hours of direct sunlight.
- Treat stains immediately to prevent them from becoming permanent:
- Scrape the spill gently with a spoon or dull knife to remove as much as possible.
- Use a mild, clear, non-bleach laundry detergent to clean (1/4 teaspoon detergent to 32 oz. of water).
- Use a white cloth or paper towel to clean stain.
- Work from the outer edge of the stain
towards the center to avoid spreading. - To prevent fuzzing, blot, don’t scrub.
- Follow with a clear water rinse and then blot dry.
Wood
While their beauty is unparalleled, there are steps you should take to enhance the appearance and longevity of your wood floors.
- Vacuum (felt vacuum head), sweep or dust mop at least once a week.
- Wipe up spills and tracked-in dirt immediately.
- Periodically perform a thorough cleaning with a good hardwood floor cleaner.
- Never clean or wet mop with water; may damage floors.
- Never use ammonia or wax-based products, detergents, bleach, polishes, oil soap, abrasive cleaners or acidic materials (such as vinegar) as they can pit or etch the floor.
- Use interior and exterior doormats, as well as area rugs in high traffic areas to prevent tracking dirt.
- Keep animal nails trimmed and avoid walking on wood floors with spike-heels to avoid scratches.
- Do not roll or slide heavy objects across floor;
instead, carefully “walk” the item. - Use furniture leg protector pads.
- Protect floor from direct sunlight to prevent fading.
Laminate
Laminate is extremely low maintenance, but still requires regular cleaning to keep it looking its best.
- Vacuum regularly.
- Wipe spills with a damp cloth or sponge.
- Mop occasionally with manufacturer’s recommended cleaner.
- Do not use soap-based detergents or “mop and shine” products, as these may leave a dull film on the floor.
- Do not use abrasive cleaners, steel wool,
or scouring powder as these can scratch. - Do not use wax or polish.
Vinyl
Although extremely low maintenance, regularly cleaning your vinyl floor will keep it looking beautiful longer.
- Sweep vinyl floors at least once a week.
- Mop occasionally with manufacturer’s recommended cleaner; avoid soaps, cleaning powders and detergents as they will leave a film.
- Wipe up spills immediately to avoid stains.
- Place doormats at home entrances to prevent dirt tracking; avoid latex-backed, rubber-backed or coco-fiber mats.
- Use plywood or sheets of underlayment to
protect floor when moving heavy objects. - Protect floor from sunlight that can fade or discolor.
- To restore high-gloss, use manufacturer’s recommended polish.
Ceramic Tile & Stone
Ceramic tile requires less care than most other flooring, but there are steps you can take to maintain its beauty.
- Vacuum or sweep regularly.
- Wipe up spills immediately to avoid grout stains.
- Wash floor regularly with a mild, diluted detergent solution such as Mr. Clean or Spic and Span; rinse thoroughly.
- Avoid ammonia-based cleaners as they may discolor grout.
- Never wax.
Cork & Bamboo
Beautiful and natural, with routine maintenance, cork and bamboo flooring will last for years.
- Sweep or vacuum regularly.
- Clean spills right away.
- Use only cleaners specified for use on pre-finished hardwood.
- Cleaning with water is not recommended.