Care & Maintenance

Maintaining wood floors is the key to keeping them looking beautiful and in great shape. With proper care, wood flooring may retain their durability for years to come.

Hardwood floors should be routinely cleaned of dust and dirt by sweeping, dust mopping, or vacuuming. Any liquid spills must be cleaned immediately with a dry or dampened cloth. Do not use wet mops or steam mops on hardwood flooring; this may damage the finish of the floor and ultimately the flooring itself over time.

When using floor cleaner for deeper cleans, it is generally recommended to use a cleaner made specifically for the floor finish.

As your floors are used over time, they may begin to look a little dull. Recoating your floors with a new finish will refresh them to their original, polished look.

Please reference the National Wood Flooring Association’s recommended maintenance schedule below for an estimate of how often wood floors should be cleaned and serviced.

Maintenance Schedule:
Daily – Sweep and/or dust mop.

Weekly – Vacuum (using the bare floor setting).

Monthly – Clean with recommended floor cleaner.

Every 3-5 years – Maintenance coat of finish.

Every few decades – Sand and refinish.

While ceramic tile is incredibly durable on its own, there are a few things you can do to keep your tile floors looking their best.

Regularly sweep or vacuum your tile floors; large particles of debris can erode the glazed surfaces of tile when walked on and dull the finish.

When cleaning tile, opt to use a rag or a chamois-style mop (Home Depot, $40) instead of a sponge mop. Sponge mops tend to leave behind dirty water on the tile surface and in the grout lines.

Combine a mild detergent with hot water to clean your tile floors, and make sure to change the cleaning solution whenever it becomes opaque to prevent leaving behind a thin film of grime. If a dirty residue is left after cleaning, use a non-abrasive, all-purpose cleaner to remove it. Wipe the tile dry after cleaning to avoid water spots forming on the surface.

A solution of vinegar or lemon juice and hot water can also clean tile, but this will not disinfect surfaces. The acid in vinegar/lemon juice can break down soap, dirt, and scum buildup.
A common ratio for homemade vinegar-based cleaning solutions is ½ cup of white vinegar to 1-2 gallons of warm/hot water; apply to the tile surface and then buff the surface dry with a clean cloth.

Using an electric floor washer or a polisher-scrubber is optimal for a deeper clean. Combine either ¼ cup low-sudsing detergent or 1-2 tablespoons of commercial floor cleaning powder, washing soda, or tri-sodium phosphate with one gallon of water to make a cleaning solution that will brighten your tile.

To clean grout, spray it with a commercial grout cleaner or a mild bleach solution. Deeper stains may require the cleaner to sit for 10 minutes. Scrub the grout with a small scrub brush or toothbrush, then mop the tile, rinse any remaining residue, and wipe dry.

For day-to-day cleaning of natural stone, mopping with a dry microfiber mop is best. You can also use a soft-bristle broom or a vacuum with a "bare floor" setting to pick up dirt and dust.

Sealed stone tile flooring is susceptible to staining, so it’s crucial that spills are blotted up immediately with a clean cloth. Once every week or two, it’s a good idea to clean your floors with a damp mop and a cleaning solution that is formulated specifically for natural stone flooring. 

When cleaning stone floors, abrasive cleaning products (including those with ammonia, vinegar, lemon, or acids) should not be used because they can scratch the surface and discolor the tiles and grout. Wax is also not recommended for natural stone, as it can dull the finish.

Like all natural stone, stone tiles are porous and must be resealed roughly every three to four years.

Begin cleaning vinyl and laminate floors by vacuuming, dust mopping, and/or sweeping to remove any dust and debris.

Combine a gallon of warm water, ¼ cup of white vinegar, and a small amount of all-purpose cleaner, dish soap, or the manufacturer’s recommended cleaning solution. Laminate flooring should be cleaned with water alone if the manufacturer’s recommended cleaner is unavailable.

Use a microfiber towel or mop to clean the floor and change the cleaning solution when it becomes cloudy and dirty to avoid leaving a grimy residue behind. Let the floor air dry.

Carpet floors should be vacuumed regularly to remove dirt and grit that damage carpet fibers. Deeper cleans are recommended to be performed between every twelve to eighteen months, or more frequently for high-traffic areas. Households with pets, children, or light colored carpet may consider deep cleaning two or three times a year.

Before beginning a deep clean on carpet with a new carpet cleaner, it is recommended to test the product in a small, inconspicuous area of carpet. Some carpet cleaners can cause carpet dyes to bleed or change color, so testing before use is the safest way to proceed.

Many carpet owners deep clean with water extraction units, or steam cleaners. These can be bought or rented; you can also opt to hire a carpet cleaning professional.

If you notice your carpet has an odor, baking soda may be able to combat the smell. Sprinkle baking soda onto the affected area and let sit for fifteen minutes, then vacuum.