How to properly care for different types of floors

The flooring in the house is not done for one day. I would like it to last at least ten years and look like new. This is possible, but only if it is properly cared for. And how exactly to do this, I will tell you today.

Floor cleaning methods

There are five types of cleaning the floor covering from dirt and dust:

• Wet, when only water is necessarily used.
• Wet with chemicals.
• Dry cleaning, and in this case moisture is excluded - only a vacuum cleaner or a brush.
• Machine room. It is used in rooms with a large area. For example, in supermarkets. At home, they can use a machine for grinding or polishing parquet.
• Steam using a steam generator.

The choice of methods is plentiful, but is it always possible to use them? It all depends on the technology for the production of different floor coverings.

Laminate

This type of floor is made according to the puff cake principle. The decorative layer is a film with a pattern applied to it, imitating natural materials: wood, stone, cork. A protective layer is applied on top that prevents moisture from penetrating inside. Stabilizing is Kraft cardboard. It gives the material the required rigidity. Between them there are more layers that create a certain thickness. All of them are connected to each other with glue.

The laminate is preferably dry cleaned by vacuuming or sweeping with a soft brush. Do not use rigid materials, as they can damage the protective layer. Moisture penetrating inside will cause the laminate to swell and deform. Therefore, spilled water must be immediately absorbed with something.

Wet cleaning is also acceptable, but the cloth should only be slightly dampened. And it is better to use not water at all, but special products for the care of the laminate from the hardware store.

If you need to move furniture in a room with a laminate, you need to glue suede pads to its legs. It will be easier to move the weight, and the floor will not be damaged. Scratches on the laminate can be repaired with a repair kit.

Linoleum

This material is made from artificial polymers. A liquid resin-like composition is applied to the base. When it cures, it creates a dense and flexible floor covering.

Immediately after laying the linoleum, it must be rubbed with a special protective compound, which is sold in the form of a liquid. This will allow you to keep the decorative top layer in its original form for a long time. The drawing will not be erased, the colors will not fade.

Linoleum can be washed with water and any foaming, but not abrasive, detergent. It is advisable to wipe it dry immediately. In places where the water does not dry out for a long time, dark spots form. Do not use caustic soda as a detergent, as it corrodes the base. If the water for washing is too hot, the linoleum will lose its shine. This indicates abrasion of the top layer. The drawing will fade soon. The original appearance can be maintained with a special polishing compound.

Tile

When buying a tile, you should pay attention to such an indicator as porosity. The smaller it is, the easier it will be to maintain the coating. Dirt accumulates in the pores, which will then be very difficult to remove.

When cleaning tile floors, do not use aggressive detergents. It is better to choose a rag from a soft absorbent cloth. If you act on the glazed tile with abrasive compounds, it will tarnish and become dull. Unglazed tiles are not afraid of such products.

Dust can be easily removed with a vacuum cleaner, and then wash the floor by slightly pressing on the mop. Tiled seams quickly darken, lose their neatness. They can be cleaned with soapy water using a soft brush. It is better to wipe the glossy surface immediately after washing to avoid drips and streaks.