One of the most distinct ways that a space either feels inhabitable or not is whether or not the floors are clean. Dust bunnies, dirt, straggles of crumbs and hair make even the least OCD of us feel like we need a bath. But every hard surface floor is different and here is your guide to proper maintenance of each.
Concrete is naturally porous and easily absorbs dust and debris which is why it’s important to make sure it’s treated with sealant to keep dirt and germs on the surface. One of the benefits of concrete is that, when sealed, it is stain resistant and relatively easy to clean. Always start by sweeping or vacuuming to get the dust up first, then mop with a non-acidic cleaner, avoiding ammonia, bleach, and vinegar. Stone cleaners, castile soaps, and mild detergents work best.
Marble, like concrete, is highly porous and easily damaged as well. Dry mop with a non-scratch material, do not use a broom. Vacuuming is fine as long as the vacuum doesn’t have any rubber wheels or sharp parts that can scratch the floor. If you choose to use water, use hot water with a mild, pH-neutral cleaner and always dry with rag promptly after as air drying can also cause staining.
Linoleum, too, can be ruined by acidic cleaners. Best cleaned with a solution of water, mild vinegar, and soap solution, linoleum, however, should be dust-mopped regularly and only cleaned with a diluted cleaner once a week to preserve its longevity. Although naturally antibacterial and resistant to mold and mildew, linoleum’s lifespan can be cut short if not properly maintained. Ideally, linoleum should be dust mopped daily and water mopped weekly. For a deep clean, consider adding baking soda to your weekly cleaner.
Vinyl, though water-resistant, can warp if deluged with too much water as it is not waterproof. Dust mop first (microfiber towels are great), or vacuum, followed by a gentle detergent and rinse. Dry to prevent residue lines or streaking.
Hardwood floors, arguably the most popular and considered the most beautiful, should be sealed with sone kind of polyurethane coating to protect them. Dust mopping, sweeping, and vacuuming (using a wood floor setting) will help pick up dust and debris, but if you want a nice shine to them afterwards, follow up with a mop using as little liquid as possible. Wood should never be saturated with water, for even the most durable polyurethane coating can be breached by flooding, ruining the wood and leaving it susceptible to mildew, mold, and rotting. Microfiber dust mops are ideal to prevent scratching and do an effective job of picking up debris without pushing it around all over the floors.
Ceramic requires regular cleaning to avoid scratching. Like concrete, it’s best to vacuum first because sweeping will just push dirt around while the vacuum can suck it up, especially in harder to reach places like the grout. Mopping, too, can push dirt deep into the grout and cause staining. Grout is best cleaned by mixing baking soda and water and scrubbing with a brush. However, if the mop is clean and dipped in warm water with a few drops to a teaspoon of mild dish soap, you can clean sections of the floor at a time. Avoid using dirty water and too much soap, which can leave stains or residue on the tile respectively.
PopUP CleanUP offers floor detailing as an add-on service to any of our event or commercial cleaning offerings. If you need your venue sparkling from floor to ceiling, let us know how we can help.
