flooring care tips
FLOOR360 offers flooring care tips to preserve the beauty of your flooring and tile, protect your investment, and hopefully avoid costly repairs. The following tips are general guidelines, for product specific care always refer to the manufacturer’s instructions you received with purchase or reviewed on the website.
hardwood
the nature of wood
- Seasonal variation in the climate will cause wood to naturally expand and contract.
- Wood must not be exposed to excessive moisture or dryness. Maintain humidity levels between 35% and 45% in your home consistently all year round.
- Natural sunlight may cause discoloration of wood and may cause wood to dry excessively.
- The surface of a hardwood floor can be dented and scratched during normal use. To minimize damage, be careful when moving furniture and appliances. Dropping heavy items can cause dents, and pets’ nails can scratch the surface.
preventative measures
- Avoid exposing wood floors to direct sunlight or bright lights. Shut shades on occasion.
- Install felt runners under furniture and chair legs to avoid scratches.
- Wipe up spills immediately. Place rugs in areas where liquids may spill or accumulate and cause damage.
- When moving furniture, lift to avoid scratching the floor.
- Don’t oversaturate when cleaning.
Maintenance and care
- Sweep or vacuum regularly. Use a vacuum with a hardwood floor attachment or one in which the beater bar can be turned off to avoid scratching the floor.
- Do not use wax, oil-based soap, or other household cleaners to clean wood flooring.
- Using a proper wood floor cleaner, spray lightly on a dust mop and mop back and forth lengthwise along floorboards. We recommend Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner, available at FLOOR360.
- If your hardwood has an oil finish, other care and cleaning instructions will apply. Please see your manufacturer’s care and maintenance form for recommendations.
carpet
cleaning carpet
- Although vacuuming will remove most of the soil within your carpet, it will not remove the oily, sticky soil that comes from air pollution, cooking vapors and life’s daily activities.
- Please check your carpet manufacturer’s warranty for details on recommended professional cleaning methods and frequency.
- Spill and Stain Removal -Remove a wet spill by blotting with white towels. Never scrub abrasively as the carpet will become fuzzy. If the spill is dry, remove as much as possible with a spoon. -For stains, use a cleaning solution for your particular type of stain.
- Rinse the area with water and absorb the remaining moisture by weighing down several white towels on the cleansed area.
Wool Carpet
- Wool carpet will shed as it acclimates to your environment. After installation, shedding may occur for several months. Treat by vacuuming regularly.
- Only use a vacuum in which you can turn off the beater bar to a suction-only setting.
- Wool is made from natural fibers. Variation in color is part of its natural beauty.
preventative measures
- Place mats or area rugs at all exterior entrances to trap dirt and soil before they reach your carpet. Be certain to clean those mats often so they keep the outside from coming in.
- Occasionally move heavy furniture to prevent excessive pile crushing. Use floor protectors under the legs of your furniture to help distribute the weight.
- Direct sunlight can be harmful and may fade carpet color. Shut blinds and shades on occasion to help prevent fading.
maintenance and care
- Be sure to vacuum your carpet thoroughly and frequently, particularly in high-traffic areas. Frequent vacuuming removes soil particles from the surface before they work their way below the pile and damage the carpet fibers. Please check with your manufacturer’s warranty for the recommended frequency of vacuuming and for a list of vacuums that are covered under their warranty program.
- Snags can occur with looped carpet if pulled excessively. Never pull on a snag. If it’s a small snag, you can cut it. A large snag should be repaired professionally. Ask FLOOR360 for repair suggestions.
luxury vinyl
cleaning
- Each manufacturer recommends the use of certain cleaners for their products. Please see your warranty information for suggested cleaning routine and approved cleaners.
- Avoid the use of household cleaners and bleach-based. Do not use soap or detergent cleaning products, as they may leave a film or dull the vinyl surface.
- For stubborn stains, spot clean with a concentrated cleaner as recommended by your vinyl’s manufacturer. Do not use products containing bleach that can damage your floor.
- When cleaning your vinyl flooring, always use a clean white towel to avoid spreading or adding to the stain.
- For tough stains or spills, information is available on the manufacturer’s website. Or contact FLOOR360 for additional assistance.
preventative measures
- Place non-staining mats or area rugs at all exterior entrances to prevent dirt and soil from being tracked onto your floor. Be certain to clean those mats often so they keep the outside from coming in.
- Support furniture with non-staining floor protectors.
- If you need to move heavy furniture or appliances, be sure to lift before moving to protect your floor from gouges.
- Direct sunlight may fade or discolor vinyl. Close shades on occasion to help prevent damage, as heat from direct sunlight can cause unwanted movement and expansion.
maintenance and care
- Sweep your floor regularly to remove loose dirt.
- After sweeping, use a damp mop with a pH neutral cleaner for routine cleaning.
- Mop up spills promptly to prevent stains.
- Please keep in mind that vinyl can be slippery when wet.
laminate
preventative measures
- Place non-staining mats or area rugs at all exterior entrances to prevent dirt and soil from being tracked onto your floor. Be certain to clean those mats often so they keep the outside from coming in.
- Protect flooring by installing felt runners under furniture or chair legs to avoid scratches when they are moved. When moving furniture, lift to avoid scratching the floor.
- Use a damp white cloth to blot up spills promptly.
- Maintain a consistent indoor humidity level.
maintenance and care
- Sweep or vacuum regularly to remove loose dirt.
- Use a vacuum with a hardwood floor attachment or one in which the beater bar can be turned off to avoid scratching the floor.
- Laminate flooring must not be exposed to excessive moisture or dryness. Maintain humidity levels and do not oversaturate when cleaning.
- Using a proper laminate floor cleaner, spray lightly on a dust mop, and mop back and forth lengthwise along floorboards. We recommend Bona Laminate Floor Cleaner, available at FLOOR360.
tile and stone
ceramic tile care
- For routine cleaning, wipe tiles with a damp sponge or mop using clean tap water or an approved tile cleaner. We recommend Lithofin and Bona products, available at FLOOR360.
- Do not use any cleaner that contains acid or bleach. Over time, acidic cleaners will etch, and eventually damage the tile.
- Do not use detergent cleaners or soap. They will leave a film that dulls the tile surface.
natural stone care
- For natural stone care, follow information for the exact type of stone you have purchased. Granite, marble, slate, and others each have unique care instructions depending on their characteristics. We recommend products from Lithofin, available at FLOOR360.
- Your stone has been sealed upon installation, but over time, your stone may need to be resealed. If an area does need to be resealed, ask FLOOR360 to recommend the best sealer for your floor.
grout care
- Pre-sealed grout is the standard grout recommended by FLOOR360. This type of grout is stain, mold, and crack resistant and never requires re-sealing.
- Grout joints are normally recessed slightly below the tile surface. Simply wiping across the tile surface does not always clean the grout surface.
- If you encounter ground-in dirt, directly agitate the grout joint with a scrub brush. This procedure may be done periodically or during routine cleaning of your tile.
- If the grout becomes excessively soiled, we recommend Lithofin’s Power Clean, available at FLOOR360.