We’re here to provide you with all the essential tips for maintaining and cleaning your flooring, ensuring it stays in excellent condition while offering an effortless cleaning experience!
General Maintenance
Keeping your flooring clean and well-maintained is straightforward. With proper care, your floor will maintain its beauty for years to come.
- Post-Construction Cleaning:
After you complete the flooring installation, cleaning the flooring is essential to remove any dust or debris. The best way is to dry-mop the floor with a microfiber mop pad or vacuum it thoroughly. Then, spray a neutral pH cleaner on the floor in manageable areas and mop with a microfiber wet mop pad. If the pad gets dirty, replace it with a new one. Work in sections until the entire floor is clean. - Normal Maintenance
Dry Cleaning: For everyday maintenance, use a soft broom, vacuum cleaner, dry dust mop, or microfiber mop to keep your floor spotless.
Wet Cleaning: For deeper cleaning, use a well-wrung mop or cloth with lukewarm water. Be sure to avoid excessive water usage to protect your flooring.
Cleaning Products to Avoid
When cleaning flooring, it's crucial to avoid certain cleaning products and methods to preserve their durability and appearance. Here are the types of products and practices to steer clear of:
- Abrasive Cleaners:
Avoid products containing harsh abrasives, like scouring powders or scrubbing pads, as they can scratch or dull the flooring's protective finish. - Oil-Based Cleaners:
Wax, oil soaps, or any oil-based detergents can leave residue, make the surface slippery, and damage the finish. - Ammonia or Bleach-Based Products:
Ammonia and bleach can discolour the flooring and damage the wear layer over time. - Steam Cleaners:
The high heat and moisture from steam cleaners can warp laminate flooring and damage the locking system of SPC flooring. - Excess Water or Wet Mops:
Prolonged exposure to water can cause warping or swelling of laminate floors and can seep into SPC flooring joints, leading to potential damage. - Vinegar or Acidic Solutions (Undiluted):
While diluted vinegar can sometimes be used sparingly, undiluted acidic cleaners can erode the protective layer, leaving the floor vulnerable to scratches. - Detergents and Harsh Chemicals:
Detergents, polish, or strong multi-purpose cleaners may leave a film or make the surface sticky. - Polishes or Waxes:
These are not necessary for flooring and can cause buildup, making the surface look dull.
Best Practices
- Always use manufacturer-recommended cleaning products for your specific flooring type.
- Opt for neutral pH cleaners and ensure the mop is damp, not wet, to avoid excess moisture.
- Test new cleaning products on a small, inconspicuous area before applying them to the entire floor.
General Care
By following these simple steps, we ensuring your floor remains in optimal condition and delivers a flawless cleaning experience!!
- Prompt Spill Removal: Clean up liquid spills, such as coffee, water, soda, or tea, immediately. Use a cloth, paper towel, or absorbent sponge to soak up the spill. For sticky spills like coffee or soda, follow up with a slightly damp floor cloth or mop. Avoid excess water, and never let liquids sit on your floor.
- Doormat Placement: Use a quality doormat at entrances to trap dirt and moisture. Dirt and sand can act like sandpaper, potentially causing scratches or premature wear. Entry mats help prevent substances like oil, grit, and driveway sealer from being tracked onto your flooring.
- Furniture Protection: Attach felt pads to the legs of chairs, tables, and other furniture to prevent scratches. For office chairs with wheels, place a clear plastic mat underneath or consider using soft rubber casters.
- Stubborn Stains: For stains like coffee, tea, juice, or milk, clean with lukewarm water and a household vinegar cleaner if needed. For tougher stains like paint, ink, or tar, use an absorbent cloth with a stain remover or household cleaner. Always neutralize the area with a cloth dampened in water afterward.
- Heavy Objects: Install heavy fixtures, such as built-in kitchens or cabinets, before flooring installation. Floors are designed for floating installation and need to move naturally. Avoid placing extremely heavy objects directly on the flooring, as they can restrict this movement. If bulging occurs, reposition the object to relieve pressure.
- Candle Wax & Chewing Gum: Allow the substance to harden before gently scraping it off.
- Pet Nail Maintenance: Keep your pets’ nails trimmed to minimize the risk of scratches.
Usage and safety instructions
Following these guidelines will help maintain the integrity and appearance of your flooring while ensuring long-term usability.
- Handling Water Spills:
Wipe up water spills immediately to avoid slipperiness and potential damage to the flooring. - Steam Cleaners:
Avoid using steam cleaners, as the heat and moisture can harm the floor’s structure and finish. - Soap Solutions:
Do not use highly concentrated soap solutions, which can leave residue and make the floor slippery. - Organic Detergents:
Avoid organic detergents as they leave a greasy film that attracts dust and shows visible footprints. Opt for synthetic detergents instead. - Wax, Varnish, and Polish:
Do not apply wax, varnish, or polish as they are unnecessary and may damage the surface. - Abrasive Materials:
Do not use steel wool, scouring powders, or abrasive cleaners, as they can scratch or dull the surface. Strong ammoniated or chlorinated cleaners should also be avoided. - Acids and Solvents:
Avoid sanitary cleaners, acids, or strong solvents, which can cause permanent damage to the flooring. - Moving Furniture:
Always lift furniture instead of dragging it to prevent scratches or gouges. - Impregnated Cloths:
Do not use disposable cloths impregnated with oily substances, as they may leave stains or attract dust. - Repairing Damage:
Minor scratches or dents can be repaired with colour-matching filler materials available at hardware stores. When done properly, the repairs blend seamlessly with the rest of the floor. - Flood or Leak Management:
If a leak or flood occurs:- For prolonged exposure (days), the flooring may suffer irreversible damage and need replacement.
- For shorter exposure, drying the area can prevent visible damage.
- If water seeps under the floor, uninstall the affected planks and allow both the planks and subfloor to dry thoroughly before reinstallation.
Guidelines for Optimal Flooring Protection
By adhering to these precautions, you can protect the flooring from wear, chemical damage, and environmental stress, ensuring its longevity and appearance.
- Clean-Off Zones:
For commercial spaces with flooring areas directly exposed to outdoor traffic, integrate an appropriately sized clean-off zone into the floor design to minimize dirt and debris. - Vacuum Cleaning:
Use a brush attachment to avoid scratching the floor. Ensure rotating beater bars are deactivated or removed during vacuuming. - Prohibited Cleaning Tools:
Avoid using grinding, scouring, or polishing machines, scrubbing brushes, high-pressure cleaners, or similar equipment, as these can damage the flooring surface. - Surface Sealing:
Full-surface sealing of the floor is unnecessary and should not be performed. - Steam Cleaners:
Refrain from using steam cleaners, as the heat and moisture may harm the flooring. - Special Applications:
For spaces like hair salons and beauty parlours, ensure areas under and around chairs or stools are protected with sufficiently large mats. Hair dyes, bleaching agents, and other chemicals can cause permanent discoloration or surface damage if left on the flooring. Remove any spills immediately and neutralize the area with a damp cloth. - Chemical Sensitivity Test:
Before installation, perform a sensitivity test with chemicals such as hair dyes or bleach on a sample board to ensure the flooring can withstand exposure without damage.
Failure to comply with the cleaning and maintenance instructions listed on this page will invalidate all guarantee and warranty claims.