There are almost as many different types of flooring as there are techniques for cleaning them. Whether your floor is cork, marble, slate, brick or stone, there’s a proper way to keep it looking its shiny best. Read on for some enlightenment, but don’t call me if you aren’t sure which floor or which cleaner is which.
Brick Floors
Clean brick floors by washing them with warm water and a mild powdered detergent. Rinse well.
Concrete Floors
To clean these floors, which are usually sealed, wash with a damp cloth or mop and a little dish soap.
Cork Floors
The most important thing to remember about cleaning cork floors is that they should never be very wet. Too much moisture can and often does cause swelling and lifting. If the floor is sealed, you can usually clean it by mixing a solution of ½ cup distilled white vinegar to 1 pail of water. If the floor is not sealed, simply buff it with a hard wax polish two or three times a year.
Marble Floors
Wash with a little warm water and a few drops of dish soap. Dry immediately. For stubborn stains, rub with a paste of lemon juice and soda.
Slate Floors
Use a mixture of ½ teaspoon dish soap and one 1-gallon warm water. Rinse off with clean water and buff the floor with a little milk (skim, 1%, 2%, or whole).
Stone Floors
Always wet a stone floor before applying any cleaner. Rinse well afterwards to avoid surface chipping and avoid cleaning with anything that contains acid.
Straw Mats
Mix 1-gallon warm water with ½ cup salt, ½ cup water softener and ¼ cup lemon juice. Use a sponge to apply mixture and allow to air dry.
Follow these general principles for a clean and happy floor.
Do YOU have any tips to add? Please share.
Related Reading:
“Cleaning Those Wooden Floors”