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Cleaning slate floors – protect the grout

Slate floors can be a great choice for a variety of situations – it offers unique finishes in a variety of different colours and textures, is relatively slip resistant and the surface is quite durable. If carefully cared for – your slate floor should last for many years.

There are times when, despite diligent maintenance, your slate floor may acquire an uneven or unsatisfactory appearance which will not change even through regular cleaning efforts. Slate can become stained or marked, especially if there is surface scratching, and this can affect the overall appearance, but it is highly probable that the appearance is affected by staining to the grout.

Grout is a construction material which is generally used to fill voids or seal joints – just like those along the sides of tiles. In the case of slate tiles it is recommended to have the tiles professionally installed and the grout professionally applied as it can be notoriously difficult to do correctly. It is a relatively porous substance, meaning it stains easily, which consists of a mixture of cement, sand and water – and it is this grout that can be affected first.

If you take a careful look at your floor you will notice that the grout is, almost always, recessed at a slightly lower level than the surface of the tiles – so if there are any spillages – it is here that the liquid will settle. It is obviously important to clean up spillages as soon as possible, but there is a certain inevitability about the grout being stained.

Once stained, grout can be very difficult to clean, so prevention is the best approach here. It is recommended to apply a sealer to the grout, making it less permeable and offer an additional layer of protection. It should also aid cleaning efforts. Sealers can be recommended by a company that specializes in cleaning slate floors – and some versions of colour grout seal are also available to offer a uniform aspect if the appearance becomes uneven.

If the grout does become stained, if you do not desire the application of a new sealer, you would be well advised to seek professional help. A company specializing in cleaning slate floors will be able to utilize modern techniques and technology such as heat cleaning, emulsification and effective capture of waste, as well as specialized cleaning products to restore the floor to its original condition.

Wood floor cleaning – Why you may have an unsatisfactory finish

Hardwood floors are a beautiful addition to any domestic or commercial setting, and when carefully looked after and cared for, should be a long lasting and durable floor which despite the initial outlay, should offer good value for money over time. Cleaning and maintaining the floor is not always easy and there will be times when, even after due maintenance and care, that the floor still acquires a dull or unsatisfactory appearance. Why is this and, more importantly, what can be done about it?

The starting point should be to look at the floor and see why the appearance is unsatisfactory. It could be that there is surface scratching, that some of the floor has lost its ‘shine’ or that areas of the wood have become stained. When you identify what the problem is – you will need to think about previous treatment the floor has received.

The finish applied to a floor (the sealer) is a very important aspect of the floor caring process, and it is useful to know what has previously been applied. If the floor has a good sealer, it will prevent spillages from damaging the wood, and help stop staining. It effectively acts as an extra layer on top of the surface of the wood.

One or two of the problems mentioned above could be as a direct result of the condition of the sealer. If the floor is dull or has lost its shine, it is possible that in some areas (possibly where there is plenty of traffic and use) that the sealer is simply wearing down and the wood may or may not be exposed, but will offer an uneven finish.

Surface scratches and abrasions can, as well as damaging the wood, also remove this sealer and protective layer – exposing the surface of the wood. This is where staining can occur and a different solution will be needed.

If the sealer seems to be ok and the wood is not damaged or stained, it is possible that, over time, staining and layers of bacteria have simply built up to form a stain or finish which is difficult to clean. In this case a specialist wood floor cleaning company should be contacted to perform a surface clean and polishing and buffing to restore the original appearance.

If the sealer is damaged or worn at certain points, something different may be required. Exposed wood can be susceptible to staining from certain spillages or other factors, and once the wood is stained there is no cleaning solution available. A wood floor cleaning specialist would, in this case, probably need to sand the floor – essentially removing a thin layer from the top of the wood to expose a new finish, before polishing and then applying a new sealer to aid future cleaning efforts.

Cleaning stone floors – Protecting the floor and grout

Cleaning stone floors – Protecting the floor and grout

Stone floors offer a natural and alternative look to many other types of flooring available and scores high in terms of cost durability – it is an investment, but if properly cared for will last for many years. It is always recommended to have stone or slate floors professionally installed. The stone is natural and the tiles can often be uneven at edges, so the grout in particular can be problematic.

There is a perception that stone can be easy to clean, but in reality one needs to be very careful to protect both the surface of the stone and the grout. The following tips will help:

Apply a good sealer
A good sealer is recommended for many types of flooring, as it usually offers a surface level protection which helps to protecting the floor from staining from various types of spillages etc. In the case of stone floors, waxy sealers are not recommended as they can remove a certain amount of the slip resistant quality that that stone possesses. The sealer will aid cleaning efforts and is particularly useful for the grout – which is the next step.

Look after the grout
Grout is a construction material, consisting of a mixture of cement, sand and water, which is used to fill voids and seal joints, and is commonly placed between tiles. In the case of natural stone it is very important that it is applied correctly to make sure that no voids or spaces are left, to avoid filtration. Grout is a naturally porous substance and is prone to staining – a good sealer will help protect it and make it less permeable, but one can find that grout can often be affected very quickly.

Take care with spillages
Spillages are a fast track to staining your floor, especially if your sealer is wearing off. Stone floors are not so common in areas such as bathrooms and kitchens where spillages are common, but the risk is still there. Grout, in particular, can be affected by stains from spillages and this can result in an uneven appearance which is difficult to clean. If the grout gets marked – it is advisable to contact a company which specializes in cleaning stone floors – and which will be able to restore it to its original state and recommend the appropriate sealer.

Keep away dirt and grit
Sealer is only effective whilst intact and tiny surface scratches and abrasions are one of many forms to reduce a sealer’s effectiveness. Scratches give a place from stains and bacteria to gather, and once a stain becomes noticeable it is probable that layer upon layer of bacteria will have built up to form a stain that cannot be removed. Most scratches are caused by grit and dirt brought in on the soles of shoes, so placing doormats at entrances (and using them!) as well as regular sweeping and vacuuming are the best ways to reduce this possibility.

Of course there is always the possibility that over time a sealer will wear off, or that staining will build up and traditional cleaning methods cease to be effective. In this case you are recommended to consult a company with experience in cleaning stone floors – which will be able to return the floor to its original state.

Hard floor cleaning – Hardwood cleaning tips

Hardwood flooring offers a richness and warmth and outstanding natural beauty and if carefully cared for will last a very long time. It is not a cheap option, but with maintenance it will prove to be a solid investment, if you know how to look after it correctly.

There are several tips as to how to look after your floor and here we will focus on the ‘do not’ list – focusing on that fact that prevention of damage is the best way to maintain the floor. There are several elements with which care should be taken:

Dirt and grit:
Surface scratching can look unpleasant but even the smallest scratch can have the more serious consequence of actually damaging the surface of the wood itself, or exposing the surface if the wood has a quality sealer applied. Once this occurs – it will be far more prone to staining from spillages or general build-up of dirt. Most dirt and grit which can cause these surface scratches are introduced into the area on soles of shoes, and placing doormats at entrances and regular sweeping are two simple ways to reduce this risk.

Spillages:
Exposed wood can stain very quickly, if liquid such as coffee or wine is spilt. However, even water can seep into gaps between the wood and cause damage over time. Even if a quality sealer has been applied, it is highly advisable to clean up spillages as soon as they occur to reduce this as a factor.

Cleaners:
There are many ways to clean hardwood floors – but generally a damp mop can be an effective way, or neutral ph wood cleaners that will not cause any marking or discolouring. Oil soap cleaners should be avoided as they can complicate matters when a sealer is being applied.

Furniture and heavy objects:
Dragging chairs and furniture (or other heavy objects) can cause dents or deeper surface scratching, which can be problematic. Objects should be lifted and not dragged wherever possible to avoid this eventuality, and felt pads can be applied to points and edges.

There is of course the possibility that over time a sealer will suffer from general use and traffic ands need to be reapplied. In this case you would be advised to consult a hard floor cleaning specialist who will be able to recommend the right type of sealer for you. In these cases it is very useful to know what has previously been applied to the floor.

If a floor becomes too market or scratched – the actual wooden surface can be exposed. There is a possibility that the floor cannot be effectively cleaned and a hard floor cleaning company may need to be contacted to sand down the wood before polishing and applying a sealer.

Wood floor cleaning – maintenance tips

Hard wood flooring is becoming increasingly popular in both domestic and commercial environments due it its attractive natural appearance, longevity and natural resistance. It is, unfortunately, not the easiest type of flooring to keep in pristine condition, but there are several tips to help you maintain your floor in good condition, and to identify what type of action is necessary should your floor begin to dull and have an unsatisfactory appearance.

One of the problems with hard wood is that it is extremely susceptible to staining from any type of spillage. Natural, unprotected, wood will stain very easily, whilst even liquids such as water can seep into the joints or spaces between wood and slowly cause damage over time. To counter this, the first step to protecting and maintaining your floor is to have a good quality sealer professionally applied.

Once the floor is protected, there are several general maintenance tips to help protect the floor:

-Clean spillages immediately
Although a sealer will help protect the wood, any spillages can cause a build-up of staining and bacteria which will, over time, become increasingly difficult to clean. It is recommended to clean any spillages as soon as possible.

-Use doormats and sweep regularly
Walk in dirt is one of the primary causes of surface scratches and abrasions which can damage the wood directly or remove a sealer. Leaving the surface of the wood exposed. These two simple steps can help keep about 80% of all grit and dirt away from the floor.

-Take care moving heavy objects
Heavy objects can mark, dent or scratch the surface of any floor, which will again expose the wood to staining. It is advisable to place felt tips on the legs of chairs and under the corners of furniture or any sharp objects.

If, over time, your floor has an unsatisfactory or dull finish, you may wish to consult a wood floor cleaning company which can advise on the best course of action. It is important to know what has previously been applied to the floor and what state it is in.

If the floor has a good sealer, it is possible that any dullness is simply the result of surface build-up of bacteria and staining and that professional cleaning plus buffing is all that is required. If the sealer has worn down to the point where the surface of the wood is exposed, it is possible that the wood itself has become stained. In this scenario a professional wood floor cleaning company would need to sand the floor, clean and re-seal to restore the floor to its original condition.

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