Flooring is one of the most impactful design elements in any space, thanks to the fact that it literally grounds furniture and decor in every room of a home. Whether you're working with rich hardwood or elegant tile underfoot, keeping your flooring in top shape is essential. Maintaining wood floors and tile surfaces all comes down to cleaning and proper care. Here, you’ll find expert tips and tricks you can use to ensure your floors stay as stunning as the day they were installed.
Why Proper Maintenance Matters
Knowing how to clean wood floors and how to clean tile floors (both of which vary greatly within their own categories in finish, material, and features) can dramatically extend their lifespan and enhance the overall ambiance of your space. Without proper maintenance, your floors can become damaged beyond the point of no return, meaning you’ll have to make costly repairs and replacements more frequently.
Deep Cleaning Wood Floors
Cleaning wood floors starts with understanding the finish – for example, polyurethane-sealed wood requires a different process than oiled wood. Regardless of finish, though, you can start a deep clean off with a dry dusting: Use a soft broom or a microfiber mop to pick up dirt and grit. It’s a good idea to do this kind of sweeping every other day, or so, since residual grime can actually scratch the surface of wood floors; supplement your sweeping with weekly vacuuming for best results.
For deeper cleans, which are ideal to perform every month or so, depending on your lifestyle (whether you have kids or pets, etc.), you’ll want to use a damp mop with a pH-neutral wood floor cleaner. Avoid harsh chemicals, excess water, and steam, all of which can warp and dull wood. If you’re working with a wood cleaner, make sure to follow the manufacturer’s rinsing and drying instructions.
Preventative Care Tips
Knowing how to maintain wood floors also involves everyday habits:
To prevent scratching and stains, place doormats for shoes at entryways, use felt pads under furniture legs, and consider area rugs to protect the flooring in high-traffic zones.
Be sure to sweep or vacuum frequently to prevent debris from scratching the finish. Mopping can actually cause scratching if dust and grime aren’t removed first.
Maintain consistent humidity levels to prevent wood from expanding or contracting.
Clean up spills immediately.
Keep heels, pet claws, and sharp objects away from your floors.
Extra Tips for Longevity
The more time and energy you put into keeping your wood floors clean and protected, the longer they’ll last. Consider these tips that could help you extend the life of your wood floors for decades:
Consider polishing your floors a few times a year with a water-based polish for extra shine.
Refinish high-traffic areas every seven to ten years to restore wood to its original state.
Maintaining Your Tile Floors
Tile is a versatile and durable flooring choice, and as a material, it’s known for being easy to clean, no matter what it’s made out of. Like any other surface, though, it requires attention to look its best.
Similar to wood flooring, thoughtful tile care begins with regular cleaning and includes taking certain measures from time to time to protect your investment underfoot.
Cleaning Tiles & Grout Lines
When it comes to how to clean tile floors, start with sweeping and vacuuming every other day. Once a week or so, perform a deep clean by using a mild cleaner designed for tile with a damp mop. Give your floors a once over, and follow any instructions on rinsing and dry time for best results.
For grout lines, which tend to trap dirt, use a small brush and a gentle cleaner to go to town scrubbing. You might find it helpful to use a longer handled brush, like a deck brush, if you don’t want to clean on your hands and knees; just make sure your tile isn’t too soft to withstand the coarser bristles. A vinegar and baking soda mix can be used for tougher stains. Pro tip: Avoid using acidic products on natural stone tiles, since these cleaners can be abrasive.
Preventative Care Tips
All tile is somewhat susceptible to scratching, staining, cracking, and loosening in its grout. These tips can be your prevention plan against all of these issues:
Use rugs in areas with frequent water exposure, like kitchens and bathrooms.
Place protective pads under heavy furniture to prevent chipping.
Avoid dragging heavy items across the tiled surface.
For maintaining porcelain tiles, consider using a polishing pad periodically to restore shine.
Extra Steps for Longer-Lasting Tile Floors
If you spot a tile that’s looking worse for the wear—or grout that’s deteriorating—you’ll want to spring into action immediately. Shoring up your tile installation in these ways can make your tile floors even longer-lasting.
Repair any cracked tiles quickly to prevent further damage.
Apply a grout sealer annually to keep grime from penetrating.
Reseal or repolish tiles, if necessary, as directed by manufacturer’s instructions.
Use DesignShop to Perfect the Look of Your Space
At DesignShop, we help you find finishes that elevate your home, and we know beautiful floors lay the foundation for any great design scheme. From selecting the perfect area rug to complement the wood grain of your flooring to coordinating tile textures with your upholstery, DesignShop is here to help you create a space that’s both functional and fabulous.