The floor of the house is one of the most difficult spaces to keep clean. That's because we are walking all the time and with that we bring dirt to the floor. Of course, it's not an excuse for you to stop cleaning. On the contrary, it is necessary to constantly clean the floor.
And when he gets grimy, to the point where he can't even remember what his original color was, is there anything to do? Well know that yes, you can still leave the floor looking new, just follow some techniques, according to the type of floor in your house.
Need to clean a very dirty floor? Check out our tips:
Floor types vs. specific cleaning
Before you start cleaning dirty floors, you need to identify which floor is predominant in your home. Let the cleaning tips for the most common:
Laminate
Laminate floors are a kind of “adhesive” made to look very much like wood. To clean them, it is interesting to observe the thickness. The smaller, the less resistant, so care must be taken when choosing cleaning products.
Water is the great enemy of laminate floors. As dirty as it is, you can never use it in the cleaning process. At least not directly, as you could do on a tile floor, for example.
The ideal is to look for specific stain removal products for laminate floors, such as waxes and to prepare a mixture of detergent and water in a bucket. Wet a soft cloth and wring well before wiping on the floor. The cloth should only be slightly moistened while you rub it on the floor.
If the problem is stains – especially grease – you can prepare a mixture of vinegar, alcohol and water in a spray bottle – all in equal parts. Splash on stains or dirtier parts of the laminate floor that the cloth moistened with water and detergent could not clean. Run a microfiber cloth over it. There is no need to rub.
wood
The wooden floors are very cozy and give a special touch to your home. They are very difficult to get dirty, but they still need to be cleaned. The main thing is to watch out for water that cannot be thrown directly on the wooden floor – it rots and spoils.
To clean, prepare a bucket and mix water and neutral detergent in equal parts. Dampen a soft cloth and wipe over the floor. Leave the room well ventilated to help dry and if you happen to leave the cloth very wet, wipe it with a dry cloth immediately afterwards.
During the week, for a quicker cleaning, a soft bristle broom or vacuum cleaner will do the job. On the day of heavy cleaning you can wipe the cloth moistened with water and detergent and if your wooden floor allows, finish by applying a new layer of wax – liquid or traditional – to give shine and protection to the wood.
Marble
The marble floor requires special attention when cleaning. Despite being very beautiful and giving that special touch to the house, it is a porous material with a high capacity to absorb any product that is passed into it.
The neutral or coconut detergent will be your great ally in the task of cleaning the grimy marble. Mix a cap of detergent in five liters of water, wet a soft cloth, wring and rub (without straining) all over the floor.
Repeat the process as many times as necessary if you think the floor is still dirty. Finally, wipe with a soft cloth moistened with water to remove any remnants of the detergent. Leave this area of the house ventilated so that the floor dries well or finish cleaning with a soft, dry cloth.
Ceramic or porcelain
To clean ceramic or porcelain floors you can prepare a mixture of water, bleach and washing powder. These products are ideal for floors in common use, such as the living room and bedrooms. In the kitchen and bathroom, bet on disinfectants and degreasers to start cleaning.
After preparing the mixture, wet a floor cloth and wring it out, just to make it moist. Go over the entire floor with the help of a squeegee. In the dirtiest or stained places, repeat the process.
In the kitchen and bathroom, start with a cloth moistened with detergent or degreaser, as these are areas that tend to have grease stains on the floor. Then wipe the cloth with a mixture of water, bleach and washing powder.
As this type of floor can be very smooth while being cleaned, it is recommended to finish the task by wiping it with a dry cloth, to avoid accidents.
Stone
If the floor is covered with stone, you should also not pour water directly on it or use abrasive products, as the material is porous. The ideal is to use a mixture of water and neutral detergent and if you want to make the floor even brighter, add three tablespoons of white vinegar.
Here you will need to scrub, so the ideal is to bet on brooms or brushes with hard bristles. Wet it in the mixture you prepared and rub it on the floor, especially in the most difficult stains. The idea is that the broom or brush helps to clean and that you don't have to use other chemicals that can damage the floor.
To remove the soap, finish the cleaning by wiping with a cloth moistened only with water. You can let it dry on its own, but remember to keep the room well ventilated.
Care when cleaning dirty floors
The floors also require care regarding hygiene. This way you can increase its useful life and prevent damage, such as permanent stains. The indicated is that you:
1. Follow the manufacturer's cleaning guidelines
Before you start cleaning the floor, check to see what the manufacturer's guidelines are for the type that was installed in your home. Generally there are described which products can or cannot be used for cleaning.
2. Read product labels before using
Did you select a chemical to remove dirt from the floor? Read the label before use. You will find guidelines for use and also on what type of materials it is not recommended to apply this type of product.
3. Avoid abrasive products or for aggressive cleaning
Abrasive or directed products for more aggressive cleaning (based on chlorine, for example) can end up damaging the floor and failing to remove stubborn dirt or stains. The ideal is that you avoid them as much as possible and if necessary use them in small quantities, diluted in water.
Steel wool is also not recommended, even on wooden floors, as it can end up spoiling. Even if you use wax (in the case of wooden floors) prefer the cloth with water and neutral detergent to remove the product.
4. Do a periodic cleaning
Floors must be cleaned periodically. You should sweep the area every day and wipe with a damp cloth with water and detergent or just water at least once every two days. If you drop something, clean it immediately to avoid stains.
5. Keep the area well ventilated
After cleaning try to keep the area well ventilated, so the floor will dry more quickly.
6. Wear gloves and a face mask
Don't forget to wear gloves and a protective mask when cleaning. So you avoid allergies, by contact with the products used in cleaning the floor.
Did you see how cleaning dirty floors is not an impossible task? Tell us in the comments what you have been using to keep your home floor free of dirt!
