Buying a new floor can be a big decision, so to get the most out of your investment you will need to give it a bit of attention! Some regular tender loving care will ensure your floor stands the test of time and looks great for many years to come.
How to clean wood flooring
Wood is predominantly bought for its aesthetic appeal rather than practical qualities, but with some regular attention, you'll be able to keep your engineered or solid wood floor looking great.
First and foremost, it's a good idea to vacuum as regularly as possible, removing grit and dirt and limiting the chances of scratching. In fact, chances of scratching can be reduced at source by ensuring there's good entrance matting in entrances and hallways.
In general, a damp (not wet!) mop is the most suitable way to attack spillages, making sure that no excess moisture is left on the surface once this has taken place. A top tip with any wood floor is to act quickly, with liquids more likely to stain if left to dry.
Your wood floor will have either an oiled or lacquered finish, the former requiring care on a more regular basis with a manufacturer-recommended oil to be topped up once a year. Do not use a product such as washing up liquid when cleaning, as this could leave a layer of residue. With lacquered-finish floors, regular vacuuming and mopping is generally all that is required. For added protection, we stock a range of aftercare kits available for both flooring finishes that have everything you'd need to keep your floor looking amazing.
Read our full set of real wood maintenance guides here:
How to maintain engineered wood flooring
How to maintain solid wood flooring
How to maintain lacquered flooring
How to clean laminate flooring
Laminate floors, by design, should save you time when it comes to maintenance. For slips and spills reach for the trusty mop, again damp rather than soaking wet as your laminate boards may not be waterproof.
As is the case with wood flooring, make sure there is sufficient entrance matting to trap dirt and avoid potential scratching. Get this step right, and your life will be made easier down the line.
When it comes to staining, it's best to check for manufacturer's advice. Specialist laminate cleaners are available for those more stubborn marks, and items such as repair wax are on offer if damage occurs.
All laminate flooring is given an AC (abrasion class) rating to indicate its durability. All our laminate floors are AC3 or higher which makes them resistant to the abrasions of everyday life. If you have a young child or a pet running around the house, and need something a bit tougher, then AC4 is perfect. AC5 - the highest rating available - is designed to withstand the trial of a commercial setting.
Read our full guide on how to maintain laminate flooring
How to clean vinyl flooring
Vinyl, true to form, is the easy cleaner of the flooring world, hence its popularity in family homes. We know that these floors can be subject to heavy use and abuse due to their robust nature, but fortunately for us, cleaning is a breeze.
Again, mopping should be all that is required for spillages and stains on this type of surface, and general all-purpose floor cleaners are available for anything more substantial.
Due to manufacturing advances, vinyl really is tough these days, so have no hesitations in selecting it for any area of the home!
