The snow melts, hibernating animals start to appear again, trees begin showing new signs of growth, and your floors are dirtier than ever before. Spring cleaning, a phrase that most of us are now familiar with, couldn’t be more timely than it is now. With everyone around the world still cradled within the safety of their homes due to coronavirus, cleaning has likely taken the back burner, replaced with arguably more important things like mental health, job security, taking care of kids, and making ends meet. There is nothing wrong with a dirty floor, but if you’re looking around and feeling like your home is due for deep-clean, then we have you covered. 

Below we will discuss some floor cleaning tips for a variety of flooring options. If instead of cleaning, you decide that you want a new floor altogether, well, we have your back there, too. Floor Country is your flooring store in Winnipeg, providing options like carpet, tile, hardwood, vinyl, cork, and laminate. Call us today to get an estimate, and experience for yourself why we were awarded the Consumer Choice Award for two years in a row. 

Tile Flooring

Start with sweeping to clear away dirt, dust bunnies, debris, and anything else that has made your floor its home. You can use a vacuum if you would like, but be sure to use it on the bare floor setting. Once your tile is good and swept, break out the mop. Since tile is waterproof, you can wet-mop, but be aware that different finishes and types of tile may require different cleaning methods. We’ve broken it down for you:

• Unglazed Tile – Using either a cleaning solution with a neutral pH or a diluted mixture of vinegar and water, saturate the tile and let it soak for anywhere between five to 10 minutes. Scrub any stained areas with a soft-bristled brush before rinsing your floor with clean hot water. Wipe dry. 
• Glazed Tile –  Mop your floor with your chosen cleaning solution without letting it pool or stand, and tend to any soiled areas with a soft-bristled brush. If you notice stains, then make a mixture of vinegar and water — roughly ¼ cup of white distilled vinegar and one gallon of warm water — to scrub gently with a soft-bristled brush. Finally, re-mop the floor with hot water and wipe it dry. 

Now, we haven’t forgotten about the grout, but saved it for last because, let’s be honest, cleaning tile grout is a hard reality to face. It can get pretty grody, especially in high-traffic areas. Use a mixture of equal parts baking soda and water to scrub the grout with a small, soft-bristled brush. An old toothbrush would work wonders here.  

Carpet Flooring

To deep-clean your carpet, we recommend hiring a professional carpet cleaning service that can shampoo your carpet or offer a steam cleaning service. While you can get a lot of the work done yourself with a vacuum and spot treatment, carpet traps a lot of stains, dirt, and dust, making it more sensible to get it professionally cleaned, especially if you have had your carpet for a while and want to keep it for years to come. During this time, it is also a good idea to take a close look at the state of your carpet. Check for tears or damage and have those repaired before hiring a cleaning service. 

Hardwood Flooring

Typically, sweeping and lightly mopping can be enough to refresh your hardwood floors. Sweep your hardwood floors to remove any dust bunnies, dander, food crumbs, and more before moving on to a commercial wood cleaning solution. Avoid using a wet-mop, as excess water can cause cupping, warping, buckling, and even mold growth. Deep-cleaning your hardwood floor may also be a great time to sand and refinish your hardwood flooring as well, especially if it is fading and covered in little dents and scratches. 

If you have any sticky dark bits stuck to your hardwood, then fill a plastic bag with ice and place it on top of the spot. Wait for the spot to become dry and brittle before removing it and clean the floor as usual.

Laminate Flooring

When cleaning laminate floors, it is best to sweep or vacuum the floor first before using a dust mop or damp cloth for general cleaning. Laminate flooring is susceptible to water damage, so use a damp cloth with a gentle cleaning solution to wipe any stains off your floor, and be sure to wipe up any puddles or standing water as soon as possible.

Vinyl Flooring

Vinyl flooring will look as good as new with a bit of spring cleaning! Start by sweeping or vacuuming to get rid of that dust and dirt that gets trapped in nooks and crannies. You can use a mild cleaning solution or make your own using a mix of vinegar and water (like we talked about under Tile Flooring), and a spot treatment made of baking soda and water. Get rid of any scuffs using a microfiber towel and rub the area before cleaning the floor with your cleaning solution. Be careful not to scratch your vinyl flooring when vacuuming, and avoid harsh, abrasive cleaning solutions and scrubbers. It is also highly recommended that you fully dry your vinyl floor after cleaning to prevent warping. 

Need Replacement Flooring? Call Floor Country

Floor Country has a wide selection of flooring solutions for residents in Winnipeg. Floor Country is your flooring store in Winnipeg, providing options like carpet, tile, hardwood, vinyl, cork, and laminate. Call us today for an estimate!