Guide to Caring For Your Flooring
Taking care of your new floor will ensure you get to enjoy it for many years to come. Simple things like regular cleaning, putting feet protectors on chairs and tables, or using curtains and UV glass to minimise fading are great ways to ensure your floor lasts longer. It’s important to note your flooring product warranty offered by the manufacturer requires that you follow product care and maintenance instructions. You can find these for your product in the links below.
There are 3 simple steps that will help keep any Carpet type looking great (and it is important to note that some carpet warranties can be linked to the upkeep of these maintenance routines):
- Vacuuming. As a rule, vacuum at least once a week or more often in busy households. Be thorough – vacuuming is essential to preserving the life of your carpet as dirt and soil grind at the carpet fibres and permanently damage them. Be sure your vacuum cleaner is suitable for your type of carpet. Follow the advice of the carpet manufacturer – for example a revolving head vacuum may result in carpet getting a frizzy look (in particular wool or loop/textured/patterned carpets). Thorough and regular vacuuming around skirting boards and under furniture will help prevent insects which can damage carpets.
- Clean spills immediately. Do not scrub. Scoop up as much of the spill as possible, then continue to blot any residue with a clean white cloth or paper towel, always working from the outer edge of the carpet towards the centre to avoid the spill spreading. Read your manufacturers guide for specific spills / fibre types.
- Professional cleaning once every one-to-two years will do wonders to revitalise your carpet and keep it hygienically clean. Do read your manufacturers carpet care guide (links below) first - as different fibre types have different requirements.
Links to manufacturers care and cleaning guides are below – or contact us for any specific advice for your flooring
Jacobsen Residential Flooring Downloads
Most engineered timber floors are easy to care for – but there are a couple of important things to remember:
- Cleaning products. Use any non-abrasive, soap-free cleaner designed for engineered timber floors. Never use abrasive cleaners, nylon scouring pads or scouring powder as they may damage the floor. Steam cleaners are not suitable for use with any type of engineered floor (and will void most warranties).
- Sweep and Vacuum as often as necessary (preferably with an effective dust filter and suction nozzle for hard surfaces) or dust mop to remove any loose dirt or grit which could damage the floor. Vacuums with a beater bar or power rotary brush head can damage the floor and should never be used. Wipe down with a well-rung damp mop or cloth (avoiding excessive amounts of water) to remove any footprints or dirt, wiping parallel to the boards.
Links to manufacturers care and cleaning guides are below – or contact us for any specific advice for your flooring
Most Laminate floors are durable and easy to care for – but there are a few simple things to remember to maintain your new floor:
- Make sure you use the correct laminate cleaning kit. For most products a mop with a washable microfibre mop head and a high-quality cleaning product will ensure your floors are cleaned and you won't leave cleaning residue on your floor.
- Don’t use too much water when cleaning your floor. If it does not dry quickly straight after mopping, you are using too much water.
- The same applies when cleaning up spills - you'll get best results with a microfibre mop head or a damp cloth.
- Never use abrasive cleaners, nylon scouring pads, steel wool, scouring powder or bleach as they may damage the floor. Never use oil, soap, wax or polishes as these finishes may make the floor slippery and can leave a dull finish on the floor. Never use a steam-mop or steam-cleaner as this will void most Laminate Floor warranties.
Links to manufacturers care and cleaning guides are below – or contact us for any specific advice for your flooring.
Godfrey Hirst Hard Flooring Care
Hybrid Flooring is simple to clean and maintain.
- Clean your floor regularly by removing all dirt and dust with a soft broom or vacuum cleaner with the correct hard surface attachment (never use a rotating brush, floor scrubber, jet mop, buffer etc)
- Then clean with water and a neutral cleaning agent using a well-rung wet mop or cloth. Do not use aggressive cleaning products, soap, abrasive cleaners, bleach, acetone, solvents or cleaning agents that contain wax or oil. Steam cleaners are not suitable for use with any type of Hybrid floor (and will void most warranties).
Links to manufacturers care and cleaning guides are below – or contact us for any specific advice for your flooring
One of the biggest benefits of LVT flooring is that it is very easy to maintain and look after. Simply:
- Vacuum, sweep or mop to remove all dust and loose debris (if using a vacuum, check the manufacturer's guidelines re LVT).
- Damp mop with a neutral detergent (such as Karndean Clean). Stubborn stains can be removed by spot cleaning with concentrated Karndean Clean and a kitchen non-abrasive scouring pad.
- Never use cleaning products that contain bleach or other household chemicals as they could make your floor unsafe and/or damage the floor. The use of a steam mop will void all warranties
- Karndean’s “Remove and Refresh” (or similar rejuvenating cleaner) keep your floor looking clean and beautiful for years to come.
- Although many LVTs are compatible within slab underfloor heating systems, ensure you follow the maximum heat setting recommendations for your product, and allow for acclimatisation of your new floor.
Note: Plasticiser migration is a condition that can cause vinyl to discolour. It is caused by rubber or latex products, (eg rubber or latex-soled slippers or shoes, tyres, or rubber backed mats) coming into contact with the vinyl over a constant period of time. It is neither a manufacturing nor installation fault and therefore is not covered by manufacturer warranties.
Links to manufacturers care and cleaning guides are below – or contact us for any specific advice for your flooring
Sheet Vinyl flooring is affordable and a very low maintenance flooring option. Vinyl is one of the easiest flooring types to clean – simple vacuuming and mopping is all that’s required to keep the floor clean. For simple spills, just wipe them away with a damp cloth. A couple of important things to remember to ensure your vinyl floor lasts:
- When moving furniture and appliances to lift the items rather than dragging them across the vinyl as to not tear it.
- Exposure to strong sunlight may cause fading or brittleness. Consider protection for your floor (such as blinds or awnings) in high sun areas.
- Turn your beater bar off on your vacuum to prevent damage. Steam cleaners are not suitable for use with most types of hard flooring (and will void many warranties).
- Rubber migration (also known as Plasticiser Migration) is a condition that can cause vinyl to discolour. It is caused by rubber or latex products, eg rubber or latex-soled slippers, shoes and rubber backed mats, coming to contact with the vinyl over a constant period of time. It is neither a manufacturing nor an installation fault and therefore is not covered by our warranties.
Links to manufacturers care and cleaning guides are below – or contact us for any specific advice for your flooring
Get in touch today to receive a free measure and quote.
Pop in to our showrooms to see and feel Carpet, Laminate, Timber and Vinyl on the floor. If you prefer just give us a call and we can visit your premises at a time that suits you. We provide a free measure, quote and site check so you understand what’s involved in your new flooring.