So, you got new flooring ... now what? Proper care for your flooring can directly translate into how long it will last. For the most part, taking care of your flooring products is incredibly easy, but there are some things to be aware of to get the most out of your new flooring.
Carpet
Most manufacturers recommend getting your carpet professionally cleaned every 18 months. In fact, some manufacturers even require it to maintain their warranty. Helpful hint: Keep your receipts when you have your carpets cleaned; most, if not all, warranty claims will require to see them!
So, what should you do if your pet has an accident or a little one has a spill? Most spot treatments work wonders and are good at cleaning stains right away. But let’s say you aren’t able to clean up spills or accidents right away, what should you do? We recommend doing whatever your carpet’s manufacturer says.
If you’re not sure who made your carpet, no problem. Shaw Industries has an excellent tool on their website that will give helpful tips on how to clean up stains. You can view that tool here. If you haven’t purchased new carpet yet, but you’re still worried about potential staining more than anything else, consider getting a carpet with a built-in stain blocker. Built-in stain-blocking can be found in most Anderson Tuftex and Mohawk SmartStrand carpets.
And don’t forget to upgrade your carpet pad to include a spill guard, which will keep stains on the carpet and prevent them from soaking into the pad.
What about vacuuming? Vacuum all your carpets regularly. Be sure to vacuum more frequently in high traffic areas like hallways and staircases. The vacuum you use matters as well. Make sure to select a vacuum that has the Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) Seal of Approval.
Unfortunately, most carpets will matte down over time. A proper and regular vacuuming will prevent this for as long as possible. If you are worried about matting, consider getting a low-pile carpet or perhaps even putting a hard surface floor down instead. Just know, there will come a point eventually in your carpet’s life where those fibers will just stay matted down. That is a good sign it might be time for new carpet.
Luxury Vinyl and Ceramic/Porcelain Tile
LVP (luxury vinyl) and stone tile are perhaps the easiest products in the industry to care for. For the most part, these products can be cleaned using any combination of soap and water applied with any type of mop or sponge. Perhaps the easiest way to keep these products clean is a standard mop with any type of cleaning attachment. This will not only save you time but money as well.
Depending on the product, steam mops are usually good to use on tile and LVP. However, it wouldn’t hurt to check out your manufacturer's specifications first to ensure using a steam mop won’t violate any warranty conditions. If you do use a steam mop on your LVP, make sure you don’t leave the mop on and in one place, as the excessive heat could potentially damage the product.
What about grout? Unfortunately, grout lines can be annoying and are prone to gathering and retaining dirt. However, they can be cleaned using any grout cleaning solution found at a grocery or home improvement store.
Should you use a vacuum over LVP? While proper sweeping will get most of the dirt and dust off the floor, vacuuming can be a good substitute from time to time, especially when your flooring has bevels. However, be cautious to not let the beater bar on your vacuum rotate too long in one place, as the heat generated can damage your LVP.
Hardwood and Laminate
Laminates and hardwoods require a little bit more care than most flooring products. This is simply due to their resistance to water. Tile and LVP can be wet mopped because these products are waterproof, and oversaturation usually won’t damage them. On the other hand, hardwood and laminate cannot be wet mopped, as the wood particles in these products can swell and warp when flooded with too much water.
Now, let’s be clear here: a little bit of water won’t ruin your hardwood or laminate. In fact, with the way most products are made today, it would take a flood to do serious damage to these products. But, steam mopping and wet mopping should still be avoided. Instead, look for a microfiber mop with a hardwood or laminate spray-on cleaning solution. Most wood manufacturers produce cleaning solutions. These solutions are usually available for purchase on their website. Even a Swiffer with a hardwood cleaning solution does the trick.
Some folks wonder if wood needs to be sealed, waxed, or oiled. The short answer: no. A good, regular cleaning with a certified solution will do the trick and keep your wood in tip-top shape for years to come.
What should you do if your wood gets a scratch? Wood repair kits are available at most home improvement stores and online. These kits usually involve a filler that you can then color to match the grain of the wood. We do not recommend sanding and refinishing just one plank, as it is nearly impossible to get the same shading as the rest of the flooring. If you are looking to sand and refinish your entire wood floor, ask your BlvdHome Flooring salesperson for a professional recommendation.
Other Tips and Tricks
As we previously mentioned, it is always a good idea to double-check the warranty information on your product before investing in a new vacuum, steam mop, or before buying an off-brand cleaning solution. If you don’t have access to your warranty information, your BlvdHome salesperson can assist you in locating it.
It would also be a good idea to stick to a cleaning schedule. While it may be easier said than done, flooring products perform best when they are cleaned regularly. Irregular cleanings can cause dirt, dust, and other gunk to build up, making it more difficult to clean in just one round.
Consider placing floor mats on the inside of every door, next to sinks and ovens, and on the ground where your feet rest when you’re sitting in your favorite chair. The oils from our feet and dirt from our shoes can cause the flooring in high-traffic areas to become discolored and worn down. Floor mats can be replaced very easily and are much less expensive than an entire room of flooring.
Of course, if you have any questions about the care of your products, never hesitate to reach out to your BlvdHome salesperson. They can help guide you through the best ways to care for your new flooring.