Installing new flooring in your home is a powerful and effective way to modernise and refresh your space, making it feel turnkey and brand new. However, the work does not end when your contractor walks out the door at the end of a project. The ability to treat and maintain your flooring to maximise its useful life is the key to keeping your space looking newer for longer and making the most out of your investment.

Here are some useful tips for how you can maintain the various types of flooring in your home:

1. Natural stone tile

Natural stones such as marble, onyx, or limestone are popular choices for tiling due to the durability they offer as well as their timelessly elegant appeal. With proper care, natural stone should be able to withstand decades of use. Make sure to:

• Vacuum and mop the floors regularly using water and pH-neutral cleaners designed for stone. Avoid any kind of bleach or other acidic solutions, including water and vinegar solutions, as even the smallest amounts of acidity can lead to etching with continued use.
• Avoid abrasive cleaning tools; a brush with soft bristles or a sponge should be suitable for getting rid of stains.
• Ensure that spills are cleaned as quickly as possible to avoid staining, especially for acidic liquids such as tomato sauce, wine, and coffee. There are remedies for cleaning up staining that has already occurred, such as honing or resurfacing; however, taking this precaution will be easiest and most cost-efficient.
• Get your flooring sealed on occasion. There is no hard and fast frequency that is recommended; however, a good rule of thumb is to have your floors resealed when water no longer beads on the surface.

2. Ceramic tile

Ceramic tiles such as porcelain or quarry tile are desirable for their water resistance, anti-microbial properties, and fairly low maintenance. The versatility in design options is also a great advantage, allowing you to have natural stone aesthetics at a lower price.

• Generally, it is sufficient to clean your ceramic tiles using a warm water and soap solution. Avoid using solutions with very harsh chemicals, but many commercial cleaners should be suitable.
• When choosing a cleaning product, it may be beneficial to ensure its compatibility with grout cleaning as well, to ensure that the grout of your tiles is not neglected and can maintain its colour.
• Beware of using too much soap in your solution, as this may cause a dull appearance on your tiles from all of the suds. 
• Leaving your tiles to air dry should be sufficient; however, drying the tiles with a dry cloth or mop can aid in the prevention of water spots.

3. Hardwood flooring

Hardwood flooring is a classic and popular choice for many homeowners for its durability, timeless neutrality, as well as its natural insulating properties. It is a great investment to make for your home as it can withstand decades of use without needing to be replaced. To optimise this investment, make sure to:

• Sweep or dry mop the floor daily to remove dust and debris. 
• Vacuum weekly before the application of any cleaning solutions.
• Avoid using bleaches, or other common cleaning detergents (including vinegar solutions) to wipe your floors down with. Instead, use wood cleaners that are suitable for the precise finish of your flooring.
• Any water-based or liquid cleaning solutions that are applied to the floor should only be used sparingly, around once a week, to reduce the risk of damage; do not pour excessive amounts of water on the floor as this can lead the wood to swell.
• Avoid steam cleaners, unless they are specifically designed to be used on wood, as this can lead to damage and dulling.
• Like with natural stone, ensure that all spills are cleaned up immediately to avoid permanent staining.
• Sanding and refinishing your wood flooring is only required every 7-10 years; however, this does not apply to engineered hardwood flooring, as it has a thinner layer of wood on its surface that may be ruined with sanding.

4. Laminate and Vinyl flooring

Laminate flooring is appraised for its likeness to wood, but at a fraction of the price! It also requires very simple cleaning and maintenance, making it desirable for a busy lifestyle, but not compromising on appeal. Vinyl flooring is a great choice as well for busy homes filled with young children or even pets, as this kind of flooring is highly water-resistant and generally quite low maintenance. It is the kind of flooring that you do not need to overly concern yourself about, and its simple maintenance requirements are proof of that.

• Avoid using cleaning products made specifically for wood floors, as well as other harsh cleaning products, as this can leave streaks and marks that are difficult to remove.
• Sweeping or vacuuming daily is recommended to remove debris from the floor
• Wipe the flooring down with a damp mop or cloth (microfibre cloths are best). Excessive amounts of water could be damaging to the flooring.
• Acceptable cleaning materials include dish soap, vinegar solutions, and baking soda, as well as other products specifically designed for use on laminate or vinyl flooring.
• It is only necessary to deep clean the floors fortnightly, and generally, a quick wipe down with a damp cloth should suffice.

 In Conclusion

At JG Contracting, we not only want to leave you satisfied with a high-quality refurbishment, but we also hope to be able to forge long-term relationships together where you can get advice and guidance on how to keep your home looking good-as-new for years after your renovations are completed. If you have any questions about types of flooring, as well as flooring maintenance, feel free to reach out to us at any time. We are always only one call away!

📞 Call us at: 437-259-9632

✉️ Email us at: jgcontractingyyz@gmail.com

🌐 Website: https://jgcontractingyyz.com