Looking After Your New Floor
A few simple habits can add years to the life of your floor. Here’s our quick care guide for the most popular types of flooring we fit.
LVT maintenance service
VT is easy to look after day to day, but over time a professional clean can bring it back to its best. Our maintenance service lifts out ground-in dirt, refreshes the finish, and keeps your floor looking the way it did on day one. Whether it is a home floor that sees daily family life or a busy commercial space, give us a call and we will sort a visit that suits you.
Getting the most out of Your New Floor
A little regular care goes a long way. Each floor type has its own character, and the way you look after it will influence how long it keeps looking its best.
Below is a quick guide for each of the most popular flooring types we supply and fit. If you’re ever not sure about something specific, give us a call and we’ll talk you through it.
How to care for your floor
Please note: The advice below is general guidance for each floor type. Always follow the specific care instructions provided by the manufacturer of your product, as cleaning methods and recommended products can vary between ranges. If you no longer have the paperwork, give us a call and we’ll point you in the right direction.
Carpets
Regular vacuuming is the single most important thing you can do for your carpet. In high-traffic areas, a quick run-through every few days will stop dirt and grit working their way into the fibres, where they cause the most wear over time. A full vacuum across the whole carpet once a week is usually enough for most homes.
Deal with spills as soon as they happen. Blot the area with a clean, white cloth, working from the outside in so the spill doesn’t spread. Never rub, as that can push the stain deeper into the pile or damage the fibres. Plain water is usually enough for fresh spills, and a mild carpet-safe cleaner will handle most others.
Have your carpet professionally cleaned every 12 to 18 months to lift anything regular vacuuming can’t. It’ll freshen up the appearance, reset the pile, and help the carpet last longer.
Avoid over-wetting the carpet when cleaning, as moisture soaking through to the backing can cause issues. Steer clear of harsh chemicals and steam cleaners unless the manufacturer specifically approves them.
Cushion Vinyl
Cushion vinyl is one of the easiest floor types to look after. A sweep or vacuum a few times a week will keep dust and grit off the surface, and a damp mop with warm water and a mild detergent will handle most cleaning jobs.
Wipe up spills promptly to stop them sitting on the surface, particularly around sinks, bathrooms, and entrances.
When mopping, wring the mop out well so the floor isn’t soaking wet. Standing water can work its way into seams or under the edges of the vinyl over time and can also cause discolouration on vinyl, so it’s best avoided.
Avoid scouring pads, wire wool, and abrasive cleaners, all of which can scratch the surface and dull the finish. Harsh solvents like bleach or acetone should also be avoided. For heavy-duty cleaning, a vinyl-safe cleaner is always the safer option.
Luxury Vinyl Tiles (LVT)
LVT is designed to be practical, and looking after it is straightforward. Sweep or vacuum regularly to lift grit that could scratch the surface, and damp-mop once a week or so with a manufacturer-approved cleaner – which we stock in our showroom.
Most LVT is fully waterproof, which makes it forgiving in kitchens and bathrooms. That said, wipe up spills as soon as they happen. Standing water around the edges of a floor can work its way down, affect the subfloor over time and cause discolouration.
Use felt pads under furniture legs, particularly chairs that get moved regularly. For very heavy items, castor cups or wider pads spread the weight and stop indentations forming in the surface.
Don’t use steam cleaners, as the heat and moisture can damage the locking system and the surface layer. Stay away from wax polishes and all-purpose cleaners with harsh chemicals, as they can leave residue or dull the finish.
Laminate
Laminate is designed to handle everyday life, but it does not get on well with water. Sweep or vacuum regularly to keep dirt and grit off the surface, and clean with a wring-dry microfibre mop rather than a wet mop.
If you do need to clean up a spill, wipe it up straight away with a dry or slightly damp cloth. Never let water sit on a laminate floor, as it can seep into the joins between boards and cause them to swell over time.
Use felt pads under furniture to prevent scratches, and put a door mat at every entrance to catch grit before it reaches the floor. Shoes with stiletto heels or sharp stones trapped in the sole can dent laminate, so brush them off before walking in.
Avoid wet mopping and abrasive cleaners. Don’t use steam cleaners. Never use wax, polish, or oil-based cleaning products, as they can leave a film on the surface and affect the finish. A dedicated laminate cleaner is usually all you need for deeper cleaning. We stock laminate cleaner that is approved by manufacturers in our showroom.
Real Wood Flooring
Real wood brings character and warmth to a room, and with proper care it will look better with age. Sweep or vacuum regularly with a soft brush attachment to stop grit scratching the surface, and clean with a wrung-dry microfibre mop and a wood-floor cleaner.
Real wood is particularly sensitive to water. Mop up spills immediately and never let water sit on the floor. Steam cleaners should never be used, as the combination of heat and moisture can warp the boards and lift the finish.
Humidity plays a bigger role in a wood floor than you might expect. Wood naturally expands and contracts with changes in temperature and humidity, so aim to keep the room at a fairly steady 40 to 60 per cent humidity if possible, particularly in winter when heating can dry the air out.
Use felt pads under furniture, rugs in high-traffic areas, and door mats at entrances to catch grit. Avoid wax, silicone, and oil-based cleaners unless the manufacturer specifically recommends them. Many modern wood floors have a factory finish that only requires a dedicated wood-floor cleaner, and the wrong product can strip or cloud it.
General tips for every floor
A few simple habits that help any floor last longer and look better.
Door mats at every entrance
Most of the dirt and grit that damages floors is walked in from outside. A good door mat at every entrance catches it before it reaches the floor.
Felt pads under furniture
Felt pads on the legs of chairs, tables, and other furniture prevent scratches and dents, particularly on hard floors. Check and replace them every few years.
Lift, don't drag
Dragging heavy furniture or appliances across a floor is one of the quickest way to damage your flooring. Lift items whenever possible, or use furniture sliders if you need to move something big.
Deal with spills promptly
The longer a spill sits, the more damage it could do, particularly on wood and laminate. A quick wipe-up as soon as it happens saves a lot of hassle later.
Not sure about something?
If you’re unsure about how to treat a mark, which product to use, or how to handle a specific problem, give us a call. We’re happy to talk you through aftercare on any floor we’ve fitted.