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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.

Vinyl floor cleaning – Tips

Vinyl floor cleaning – Tips

Vinyl flooring comes in a variety of designs and colours, is relatively easy to install and scores highly in terms of cost durability. Combining these factors makes it easy to see why it has become a popular choice in both domestic and commercial environments – and especially in areas where spillages are likely, such as kitchens and washrooms.

Whether or not Vinyl is chosen as flooring will depend greatly on the ambience, but there really is a type of material to suit all situations and vinyl is very much a case of you get what you pay for. In domestic environments, and suitable vinyl flooring will not be expensive, and can be perfect for bathrooms or kitchens, are relatively easy to clean and maintain, and as a house will be relatively ‘traffic free’ should also offer longevity.

In a commercial environment in general there will be more transiting and a highly quality vinyl or altro material will probably be required, offering the same benefits but being a more durable substance more suited to a commercial environment.
Vinyl is one of the easiest types of flooring to clean and keep clean, but it is still important to maintain the floor properly, and there are several tips as to how to do this:

-Avoid walk in dirt
Walk in dirt can cause surface scratching and abrasions can ‘scuff’ the surface and provides an area for bacteria and can cause staining over time. Doormats should be placed at entrances as up to 80% of dirt and grit introduced into an environment comes from shoes, take a look at the soles of your shoes now and that figure may not seem so surprising.

-Sweep and mop as often as possible
Regular sweeping will remove loose dirt and grit on the floor and make the surface easy to clean. Cleaning should be done with a mop and water, with a little detergent. Regular cleaning will prevent stains or bacteria from building up.

-Take care when moving furniture
Heavy furniture and other objects can mark the floor and affect the surface. Pads can be applied to the legs of chairs and corners of furniture, and simply taking care when moving these objects, as opposed to banging and sliding them will add longevity to the floor.

If a floor becomes visibly stained and cleaning efforts cease to be effective, it may be necessary to call a professional floor cleaning company which specializes in vinyl floor cleaning, which should be able to restore the floor to its original state.

A vinyl floor cleaning company will be able to utilized modern equipment and technology to clean and restore the original appearance of the floor and offer advice on further cleaning and maintenance.

Commercial floor cleaning – hints and tips

The choice of flooring in a commercial environment can depend on the type of area being floored, and can differ from domestic flooring. Generally speaking, a commercial environment will experience more ‘traffic’ than a domestic one, from a mixture of employees, furniture and equipment being moved or placed and often from visitors.

Many commercial floors are chosen as a result of their durability and that is usually the case with slate and stone floors, which offer a high level of durability and often a slip resistant finish. The durability generally means that the floor doesn’t mark and scratch as easily as other surfaces, which can help it looking clean.

As stone and slate are not cheap alternatives it is highly recommended to have them professionally installed, and the way it is installed and finished can also have an impact on the maintenance of the floor. Generally slate needs to be cut, and can often break during this process. It is important that the finish is of a good quality, and that the grout is correctly finished.

Once the installment has taken place it is recommended to have it sealed with a good sealer. Slate and stone often have a smooth yet slightly rough finish which lends it its slip resistant quality and unique aspect. It does however make it slightly more prone to staining from certain foods and drinks. The grout is often recessed lower than the level of the tiles and it is here that any spillages will immediately flow.

A good sealer will make the tile and grout more stain resistant and aid cleaning efforts. It is best not to go for a waxy based sealer which can change the appearance and make the floor slippery. A commercial floor cleaning company will be able to recommend a good sealer for your floor type.

Surfaces can be marked and scratched by dirt and grit introduced into the environment, generally by shoes. These scratches and abrasions on the surface can make the floor more susceptible to staining and also damage any sealer that has been applied. Taking simple steps such as placing doormats and regular sweeping can help reduce the risk of exposure.

If the floor does get visibly stained it is possible that there are layers of staining and bacteria that have built up over time. In this case it may be better to consult a commercial floor cleaning company that will be able to restore the floor to its original state.

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