How to Clean Different Type of Floors

Ceramic Tiles

These are easily cleaned with a mop or cloth dipped in a solution of washing up liquid. Alternatively, clean with neat laundry borax applied on a damp mop or a solution of one part ammonia to three parts hot water. Polish with a chamois leather. A squeegee mop is best for this type of floor as it removes most of the water. Be careful when walking on wet ceramic tiles, particularly in rubber soled shoes, as they are very slippery. Do not polish the tiles as this will make them permanently slippery.

Tile and grout cleaning Perth, Grouting between the tiles should be cleaned from time to time with an old toothbrush dipped into a strong solution of washing up liquid or household cleaner. Alternatively, use a special grout cleaner.

Cork Tiles

These usually have a sealed, waxed or vinyl finish to prevent water and dirt from penetrating their porous surface. If you are laying cork tiles check that the edges as well as the surfaces are sealed or water may seep in from the sides. Sealed cork just needs mopping over with warm water and an occasional application of emulsion polish. Vinyl finished cork should be damp mopped with an occasional application of emulsion polish. Waxed cork should be swept regularly with an occasional wax or liquid polish.

When applying any of these polishes try to avoid a build up of polish around the edges of the room, this will eventually form a sticky deposit that attracts dirt and substances such as talcum powder in bathrooms. It looks very unattractive and is difficult to remove, use the back of a knife blade. Always rinse floor mops in disinfectant solution after house cleaning. Hand off the ground or upside down to dry.

Quarry Tiles

Glazed tiles should be washed with a weak solution of household cleaner. They should be polished with a liquid or paste wax polish, preferably a non-slop product.

·         Unglazed tiles will need a more vigorous scrub with a stronger solution.

·         Always rinse with warm clear water and wipe over with a dry mop.

Faded tiles can be restored to their original color. Remove the polish by rubbing with steel wood and white spirit, then wash with household cleaner, rinse and allow to dry. Apply a thin coat of colored wax polish and rub it in well so that it does not come off on the soles of your shoes.

Newly laid tiles tend to develop white patches, caused by lime working its way up through the concrete sub floor. These can be removed temporarily by washing the tiles with a white vinegar solution. Do not rinse off the solution and do not polish the tiles until the white patches cease to appear.

Stone

Stone floor should be swept regularly and washed from time to time with a solution of washing soda. If your stone floor is in a kitchen or dining room where greasy spills occur, it is a good idea to seal the stone in order to make cleaning easier and to prevent stains being absorbed. Before sealing ensure that the floor has been thoroughly cleaned, anything left on the surface will remain fixed under the sealant. When cleaning floors of any material, do not use a cellulose mop with bleach solution, otherwise the mop will disintegrate.

Wood

Wood flooring with a waxed surface should be swept with a soft broom and dry mopped to remove dust and loose soil. Sticky marks can be removed with a damp cloth wrung out in clean water. Waxed wood should not be washed as water can distort the wood. Apply a coating of wax polish paste with fine grain steel wool from time to time. When the polish builds up to an unacceptable level, i.e. when the floor starts to feel and look sticky, remove the old wax with a cloth dipped in white spirit. Allow to dry thoroughly before applying a new coating of wax. Sealed wood floors should be damp mopped to remove dust. Apply a coating of wax or emulsion polish from time to time for added shine. If you sprinkle damp tea leaves or torn up damp strip of paper on to a dusty wooden floor before sweeping, this will prevent the dust from rising useful if you are asthmatic and make it easier to cleanup.