You likely do regular floor cleanings throughout the year, whether it is a quick vacuum every day or a once-a-month mopping. However, quick cleaning only takes care of surface-level grime, and it is critical to perform a deep clean two to three times a year to increase the longevity of your floor and improve its aesthetic. Today, we share how to deep clean your floors for spring cleaning.
5 Steps to Deep Cleaning
#1 Vacuum Loose Debris
The first step to deep cleaning is to do a surface-level clean to get rid of loose dirt and debris. Whether you want to sweep, Swiffer, or vacuum is up to you!
#2: Identify Your Floor Type
Whether you have vinyl, hardwood, tile, or another flooring type, it is wise to understand exactly what flooring type you have and if it has a finish. Remember, your flooring type and finish type will determine what cleaning products you can use, and they are NOT interchangeable. Using the incorrect cleaning material for your flooring type can actually cause permanent damage, so be careful when purchasing your cleaning supplies.
For example, you can use a white vinegar solution to clean hardwood floors, but that same cleaning solution damages some marble and granite tiles.
#3 Pre-Clean Hard to Reach Spots
Every house has hard-to-reach spots, whether it is a corner of the kitchen or the line along the baseboards. If your normal cleaning routine leaves these spots lacking, they have likely built up extra grime. We recommend tackling these hard-to-reach spots first, along with areas with stains and scuff marks.
Note: For extra yucky areas, you may need to use stronger cleaning supplies. You can create a baking soda paste to scrub with vinyl floors, whereas hydrogen peroxide works well on tile grout.
#4 Mop the Floors
After tackling the problematic areas, you can perform a thorough mopping. Remember, you will want to use appropriate cleaning solutions for your floor type! We recommend using a microfiber mop and taking the time to thoroughly wring it out each time so that you don’t have excess water on your floors. Additionally, be aware of your mop water; if it gets gross, change it out!
#5 Dry the Floors
While some floors can handle water being left on the surface, for most it is unhealthy. We recommend drying the floors immediately after mopping to ensure that the water doesn’t get absorbed into the floor.
If you have a large house to mop, you will likely need to perform mopping and drying in sections.
Alaska Countertops and Flooring
Is your flooring starting to look dingy, worn, or out of style? Flooring is not meant to last forever, so it may be time for you to remodel your floors. We at Alaska Countertops have a wide variety of flooring options, perfect for most design preferences. Come visit us today to tour your options. Please visit our website or book a consultation with one of our specialists for more information on us.