Stepping into spring is a good time to think about what you step on at home every day: your flooring. Whether wood, tile, stone, or carpet, your floors are an investment that take a beating every day. Cleaning and maintenance of the different types of materials is not difficult and will add years to your flooring.

Tile (Porcelain and Ceramic)

What You Need:

• Dust mop or vacuum
• Micorfiber cloth or mop
• 16-ounce spray bottle
• White vinegar
• Dish Soap
• Water

Porcelain and ceramic are the most popular tile materials in homes today. Both are durable and easy to maintain. The weekly “spritz and dry” technique is all that is needed for maintenance with either material. Simply mix ¼ cup white vinegar in a spray bottle with one drop of dish soap and fill with 16 ounces of water. 

Start by sweeping or vacuuming the space. While porcelain or ceramic is less likely to scratch or scuff, it is still recommended to use the vacuum attachment that is safe for hard surfaces. Spray the floor in sections, and dry with a microfiber cloth or mop as you go. Kitchens and baths are suggested to spritz and dry all over, but other areas can be spot cleaned as needed. Reseal the grout annually, especially in wet areas.

Natural Stone Floors

What You Need:

• Dust mop or vacuum
• Dish soap
• Mop
• Water

Natural stone floors are also popular in homes today, mostly in the form of marble or travertine. To clean these surfaces, leave the vinegar in the pantry. Avoid any cleaning solution that is acidic, as these will dull and etch the stone. 

Start by sweeping or vacuuming the space. Just like with wood and tile flooring, make sure the vacuum attachment is safe for hard surfaces. Begin by dampening a mop with water and a couple drops of dish soap. Make sure to wring out the excess water. Mop in small sections, making sure to not leave any standing water. Natural stone does not require dry mopping to prevent streaks, but the stone and the grout should be sealed annually to protect them from any water damage. 

Tip: If you are remodeling and choose to use a natural stone, buy extra. If part of your floor gets damaged and needs to be replaced, you will want to match the original flooring color and texture. When using a natural flooring product, the same type of stone purchased from the same vendor (even harvested from the same quarry) can look very different. 

With ceramic, porcelain, or natural stone, avoid using sponge mops because they push dirt and grime into the cracks and grout lines. Instead, opt for cotton, microfiber, or chamois-style mops or cloths. If you want to deep clean porcelain, ceramic, or natural stone, steam clean once a year by a professional service, or do it yourself with a rental steamer. This will remove stains in both the tile and the grout. 

Wood (Real, Engineered, and Laminate) 

What You Need: 

• Dust mop or vacuum 
• Mop 
• Dish soap 
• Water 
• Dry mop or soft cloth

Plan to clean your floors every two to four weeks, with high-traffic areas addressed every week. Start by moving furniture that rests on the wood itself, and not an area rug.

Tip: Invest in furniture sliders; they make this task much easier and prevent scuffs.

Run the dust mop or vacuum along the flooring, removing as much dirt and debris as possible. If using a vacuum, make sure you have the proper hard floor adapter; you do not want to scratch the finish. Although some wood floors have a wax finish, most hardwood and engineered wood floors have a coat of polyurethane protecting them. With a polyurethane finish, using a simple soap and water mixture is an easy and non-toxic cleaning method. There is an easy way to double check what finish is on your wood floor, simply rub your finger across the surface. If you see a smudge, the flooring is protected with wax. (If wax is indeed present, follow the laminate wood floor cleaning practices below.)

Begin by dampening a mop with water and a couple of drops of dish soap. Make sure to wring out the excess water, then mop the floor going with the grain of the wood. Do not leave any standing water, as this may seep under the wood and cause damage. To make the floors shine after they have been cleaned, buff them by running a dry string or microfiber mop or cloth back over the wood floor. Laminate floors and wood floors protected with wax generally require regular dusting and spot cleaning rather than using a wet mop. Water can damage both of these styles of flooring and is not recommended.

To maintain any style of wood flooring, sweep or hand vacuum visible dust or debris in between cleaning, and immediately wipe spills. Consider not wearing shoes in the house, as they may have rocks lodged in the sole that could create scratches. Imagine wearing high heels that have worn down; that exposed nail will scratch your floor with every step. This does not mean you need to go barefoot all the time, simply invest in some shoes designated for the house only that you know will be floor friendly.

Carpet

What You Need:

• Vacuum
• Scissors
• 16-ounce spray bottle
• Baking soda
• White vinegar
• Water
• Checkbook

Finally, it is time to tend to your carpeted living areas.

Cleaning should be done once a year and includes hiring a professional. Do some research and hire a carpet cleaning company in your area that follows the Carpet and Rug Institute Seal of Approval.

After the carpet is clean and has fully dried, maintenance is simple. Try not to track dirt and grime onto the carpet in the first place. This is best accomplished by not wearing your outdoor shoes in the house, as mentioned previously. Having wipe-off mats inside and outside also works.

Vacuum once a week, less for low traffic areas such as a guest bedroom. Use sharp scissors to cut back any loose piles or snags in the carpet. Clean any spills immediately. There are so many different types of spills and various carpet styles and colors that it is difficult to predict what will remove it. No matter the spill, gently blot it with a soft, white cloth. Do not rub! Rubbing will push the substance deeper into the carpet.

For many spills and stains, white vinegar works best. Mix ¼ cup vinegar with 16 ounces of water. Next, add one tablespoon of Dawn dish soap; shake, and spray liberally. Let rest for five to ten minutes and continue to blot. Repeat.

Being proactive and consistent with cleaning and maintenance can provide many years of flooring that still looks new.