Floor Care Maintenance

If you have any specific questions regarding how to care for your new floor please ask your PC Flooring Professional. Below are some general guidelines on floor care maintenance which you may want to consider prior to selecting your product. Keep in mind that any specific recommendations provided by the manufacturer should be adhered to over and above these suggestions.

Carpet Maintenance

For regular maintenance, the number one rule of carpet care is to vacuum regularly. Most dirt, and even dust, takes the form of hard particles. When left in the carpet these gritty, sharp particles abrade the pile of the carpet. Regular vacuuming not only prolongs the life of the carpet, but also enhances its appearance. It is best to use a vacuum with a beater bar and a brush, and be sure it’s set to the correct height for your carpet pile. If the setting is too high, you may not be cleaning your carpet effectively. If it’s too low, your carpet will get unnecessary wear and tear from the vacuum cleaner. Changing the direction of the cleaner frequently will make vacuuming more effective. Change the bag often to maximize the effectiveness of your vacuum cleaner.

For periodic maintenance, your carpet should be deep cleaned every two years. With today’s advanced fibres, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning. You can choose professional or do-it-yourself steam or dry cleaning. If you choose professional cleaning, be sure to use a reputable service and get them to perform a visual inspection of the carpet before giving you a quote. High-traffic areas will need to be cleaned more frequently by spot cleaning or with a steam cleaner. If you choose a self-cleaning method, be sure to follow the instructions provided with the steamer or self-cleaning product.

Mishaps and stains are inevitable and sometimes spot cleaning may be required. Familiarize yourself with how to treat stains before they occur and refer to the manufacturer’s recommendations. You’ll have the most success if you treat spots or stains immediately. Always blot the area to be cleaned, don’t rub the stain in deeper. One of the best agents to use on water-based spills is club soda. After blotting with a clean, white rag to remove the spill, dribble club soda on the affected area, let it set for a moment, then blot again to remove the stain.

Please remember that if your carpet is stain-treated with a product like Scotchgard, you’ll need to follow that manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning to ensure you don’t void the stain warranty.

Some manufacturers actually offer their own specific line of cleaning products specially designed for their flooring. Check with your PC Flooring Professional if you have any further questions.

Vinyl Maintenance

Vinyl floors are quite easy to care for, however the following points should be considered:

  • For the first 24 hours after your new floor is installed, protect all the seamed areas and don't walk on the seam sealer.
  • Vacuum regularly to remove grit and sand. Wash your floor occasionally with the manufacturer's recommended floor cleaner.
  • Wipe up spills.
  • Never use abrasive cleaners, soaps, paste waxes or solvents on your vinyl floor.
  • Place mats at entry doors to help prevent sand and grit being tracked onto your floor.

Hardwood Maintenance

With the advances in today’s wood flooring stains and finishes, cleaning your wood floors has never been easier. Regular maintenance requires little more than sweeping with a soft bristle broom. If your wood floor has a bevelled edge that could collect debris, you may want to vacuum with a soft floor attachment. Some manufacturers may recommend using a professional wood floor cleaning product. Check your manufacturer’s warranty or consult with your PC Flooring Professional for more information.

There are some additional steps you can take to minimize maintenance and preserve the beauty of your new wood floor:

  • Use throw rugs both inside and outside doorways to help prevent grit, dirt and other debris from being tracked onto your wood floors. Rugs will also help prevent scratching.
  • Do not wet mop a wood floor. Standing water can dull the finish, damage the wood and leave a discolouring residue.
  • Put soft plastic or fabric-faced glides under the legs of furniture to prevent scuffing and scratching.
  • Avoid walking on your wood floors with cleats, sports shoes or high heels. This kind of impact can dent any floor surface.
  • When moving heavy furniture, do not slide it across wood flooring. It is best to pick up the furniture completely to protect the floors
  • If necessary, use a humidifier throughout the winter months to keep wood movement and shrinkage to a minimum. Check with your manufacturer’s specifications on maintaining particular humidity ranges.
  • Exposure to sunlight will bring about subtle changes in the shade of any hardwood floor. This is not a defect. Area rugs and furniture should be occasionally relocated to provide even changes in shading.
  • Use the finish manufacturer's or the prefinished floor manufacturer's recommended cleaning system. If the manufacturer is unknown or has no recommendation, use a cleaner that will not leave a residue which would inhibit bonding and recoating. NEVER wax a urethane finish. Do not generally wet a wood floor with water. When using any wood floor cleaner which requires mixing with water, follow mixing directions precisely. A cloth wetted with water and squeezed dry may be used to wipe up foodstuffs and other spills, provided the area is buffed dry immediately. Heel or scuff marks and stubborn stains may be removed by lightly rubbing with a cloth and a wood floor cleaner.
  • Always use the manufacturer’s recommended cleaning products, as most manufacturers’ warranties are voided if other products such as oil soaps are used.
  • Wipe spills immediately with a slightly damp, soft cloth.

Laminate Maintenance

Caring for your laminate floor is simple: dust or vacuum the floor regularly and do NOT use any harsh chemicals, abrasives, wax or polish on your flooring. To prolong the life of your new laminate floor it is recommended that you use felt pads for all chair and table legs and any heavy furniture. There are some additional steps you can take to minimize maintenance and maintain the beauty of your new laminate floor:

  • Use a damp cloth to blot up spills as soon as they happen. Never allow liquids to stand on your floor.
  • For tough spots, such as oil, paint, markers, lipstick, ink or tar, use acetone/nail polish remover on a clean white cloth, then wipe the area with a damp cloth to remove any remaining residue.
  • Sweep, dust or vacuum the floor regularly with the hard floor attachment (not the beater bar) to prevent accumulation of dirt and grit that can scratch or dull the floor finish.
  • Periodically clean the floor with cleaning products made specifically for laminate floor care. Check your manufacturers website. Many manufacturers carry their own line of cleaning products. Do not wash or wet mop the floor with soap, water, oil-soap detergent or any other liquid cleaning material. This could cause swelling, warping, delamination and joint-line separation, and void the warranty.
  • Do not use steel wool, abrasive cleaners, or strong ammoniated or chlorinated type cleaners.
  • Do not use any type of buffing or polishing machine.
  • For spots such as candle wax or chewing gum, harden the spot with ice and then gently scrape with a plastic scraper, such as a credit card. Be careful not to scratch the flooring surface. Wipe clean with a damp cloth.

Ceramic Maintenance

Ceramic tiles are relatively easy to maintain. Wash tiles regularly with a mild, diluted detergent (avoid ammonia-based cleaners as they may cause discolouration). Thoroughly rinse with warm water. Sweep or vacuum your tile on a regular basis. Grout is not waterproof, so typically it is recommended that you wait a minimum of 48 hours until the grout has fully cured and then apply a silicone grout sealer according to directions on the label. An old toothbrush works well to apply it. Non-epoxy grout joints should be treated with a silicone grout sealer twice a year to help preserve the grout colour and to prevent discolouration from spilled liquids. Your manufacturer may recommend a particular brand of grout sealer, so be sure to check their website for additional information. Always be sure to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations to ensure your warranty is valid and that your floors will maintain their beauty for years to come.

Cork Maintenance

Cleaning cork flooring requires no special equipment or harsh chemicals. The basic steps are as follows:

  • Wipe up spills immediately. Cork is a wood product and therefore will absorb moisture.
  • To reduce scratches, sweep or vacuum regularly to remove abrasive debris.
  • To clean a heavily soiled area, use only a cleaner formulated for pre-finished hardwood floors as recommended by the manufacturer.

If your cork flooring should lose its luster due to high traffic, check with the flooring manufacturer for refinishing recommendations. With proper care and adherence to the flooring manufacturer’s instructions, you’ll have a beautiful and long-lasting floor.

Bamboo Maintenance

Caring for bamboo floors is the same as for other types of hardwood floors. Regular sweeping and an occasional treatment with a damp mop is all that is required. Use area rugs with non-abrasive or felt backing in high-traffic areas. Move your area rugs occasionally to maintain a uniform appearance in the floor’s finish, which may be affected by abrasion, sunlight or other factors. Installing felt pads on heavy furniture is also recommended. Check with your manufacturer’s specifications on maintaining particular humidity ranges. Many bamboo floors can be refinished to restore their original beauty in the event of fading over time.