FAQs
It’s a fact. Your flooring will take more punishment than any other finished surface in your home. Follow the proper cleaning and maintenance procedures, however, and your flooring will look beautiful for years to come.
Q: Do I need to use floor protectors?
A: As the saying goes, “An ounce of protection is worth its weight in gold.” It is imperative that you protect your flooring against accidents and everyday wear and tear whether it be carpeting, hardwood, tile, laminate or vinyl.
Basic Carpet Care: Synthetic Rugs
Q: What can I do to keep my carpet clean on a regular basis?
A: The most important thing you can do to prolong the life of your carpeting is vacuum. A thorough and frequent vacuuming helps to remove abrasive dirt particles. Such particles cause the carpet fibres to wear prematurely and also dull the carpet’s original colour.
Q: Why hire a professional carpet cleaner?
A: A professional carpet cleaner has an in depth knowledge of carpet construction, carpet cleaning products and carpet cleaning methods. Please note: Most manufacturers will not honour warranties unless the carpet is professionally cleaned.
Basic Carpet Care: Wool Carpets
Q: What can I do to clean my wool carpet on a regular basis?
A: Like synthetic carpeting, wool carpeting benefits from frequent and thorough vacuuming. As wool fibres naturally resist soiling, vacuuming once a week is usually sufficient. More frequent vacuuming may be required in heavy traffic areas. An upright vacuum with a beater bar brush is ideal for pile carpets, while a suction only vacuum is the best for looped carpets.
Q: Can I remove a stain from wool carpeting?
A: When it comes to wool, speed is your best guarantee for success. In fact, most spots can be removed if they are treated immediately. Always keep a selection of appropriate spot removal products on hand. As well, always keep the phone number of a reputable cleaner handy.
Caring for Hardwood Flooring
Q: How should I clean my hardwood floor?
A: Use a brush type broom or dust mop when sweeping by hand. If vacuuming, use a brush or felt type of vacuum. Do not use a vacuum with a beater bar head. Never wet mop, damp mop or flood your floor with water. Excess water will cause cupping, swelling and subsequent gapping. It will also dull your floor’s finish.
Q: Can I use common household cleaners on my hardwood flooring?
A: You should not use sheet vinyl or tile floor care produces on hardwood surfaces, as they will dull the finish. Never use cleaners that contain pine soap, lemon oil, oil soap, chlorine bleach, silicon, ammonia, or any abrasive cleaners. Use of such cleaners may negatively affect the long term appearance of your floors and/or ultimately void your flooring warranty.
Q: How can I prolong the life of my hardwood flooring?
A: To minimize the potential for scratching, you should reduce the amount of dirt and dust you track into your home. You can do so by placing doormats and rugs on the inside and outside of every entrance. Avoid walking on hardwood floors with hard soled shoes, high heeled shoes and the like. For protection from water damage, place a rug in front of the kitchen sink, dishwasher and other exposed working areas. Always clean up spills promptly and completely—with approved hardwood cleaning products.
Q: Is relative humidity important?
A: As hardwood is a natural product, it will expand and contract with changes in relative humidity and temperature. Keep humidity levels between 35% and 55% year round.
Caring for Laminate Flooring
Q: How do I care for my laminate floor?
A: When it comes to laminate, it’s important to protect the lustre of the flooring. You can accomplish this by cleaning and removing spills as soon as they happen. This prevents excess water from seeping into the seams. Do not use wet sprays, oil soap detergents, water or any other cleaning materials to wash your floors, as this may cause delamination, swelling or warping.
Caring for Vinyl Flooring
Q: Do I need to care for my vinyl floor?
A: Vinyl flooring is intrinsically durable. But, like any other flooring surface, it needs to be properly cleaned and maintained to prolong its life. Sweep vinyl on a regular basis with a soft broom to remove dirt and to prevent scratching. Mop with a mild detergent and rinse with clean water. Always wipe up spills immediately to prevent permanent staining.
Q: What should I not use on vinyl flooring?
A: Never use bleach, vinegar, abrasive cleaners, soaps, paste waxes or solvents as they leave a film that will discolour the floor and reduce its shine. Never use a beater bar vacuum as it might damage the floor finish.
Note: Bleach and vinegar are proven to dissolve seam sealers. As a result of use, the seams in your flooring will open up.
Q: How can I protect my vinyl floor from damage?
A: Always use floor protectors on furniture to reduce the possibility of permanent indentation. As well, place door mat at every outside entrance to the room to keep dirt from being transported onto the floor.
