Sometimes it seems almost impossible to keep your floors looking clean. Whether it’s pet hair, dirty shoes, or messy kids, your floors can take a sound beating in what feels like mere moments. So how do you make sure your floors last a lifetime? Here are some tips that should help you out.
If your home is primarily carpeted…
Make “no shoes” a rule.
Shoes are the number one cause of dirty and damaged carpets throughout your home. Heels can get snagged on shag carpet, boots and sneakers can bring in mud and dirt, and nobody knows exactly what your kids stepped in while they were at school. To ensure your carpets last longer, make sure your family and your guests know to drop their shoes at the door.
Place area rugs in high-traffic areas.
If cleaning your carpet every time it got a little dirty was easy, you’d be doing it all the time. But in high-traffic areas like your front and back entryways, renting a carpet shampooing machine every other week just isn’t sustainable. Instead, consider buying a few stylish area rugs. That way you can maintain your home’s aesthetic and make regular cleaning easy.
Deep clean at least twice yearly.
Even if your carpet looks clean, a single square yard can hold up to one full pound of dirt. Gross. That’s why deep cleaning is so important! Not only does it keep your carpeting clean, but it also ensures your carpeting maintains its integrity for years to come.
If your home is primarily hardwood…
Sweep up every day.
Sweeping might not be your favorite task in the world, but doing it daily will help prevent those little crumbs from leaving little scratches and causing surface damage. And remember that the best way to sweep up your hardwood floors is with a dry microfiber mop. When the average cost of a hardwood floor anywhere from $8 to $15 per square foot, it pays to take care when maintaining your floors.
Don’t rule out polishing and refinishing.
If you want your hardwood floors to last a lifetime, it’s crucial to remember that semi-regular polishing and refinishing is the only way to go. If you really want your hardwood floors to shine, consider polishing them monthly. Refinishing, on the other hand, can be kept to once every three to five years.
Keep sun exposure to a minimum
The sun might look beautiful reflecting off of your hardwood floors, but it’s their worst enemy. To prevent your hardwood floors from fading, make sure you’re limiting sun exposure. This is especially important if you live in a sunny area like Tampa, Florida, which receives almost 246 full days of sun every year. Area rugs and curtains can help you avoid sun exposure on your hardwood floors and keep your space looking stylish.
If your home is being remodeled…
Plan a demolition route.
Whether you’re having the whole house redone or you’re among the 30% of homeowners having minor maintenance and repair done, planning a demolition route throughout your home is vital to protecting your floors. Lay down plastic or cardboard to ensure every contractor you hire knows the designated path to travel.
Invest in floor coverings.
Unfortunately, a simple sheet of plastic or broken down cardboard box doesn’t always do the trick. If you’re really worried about your floors over the long-term, make sure you invest in legitimate floor coverings during your renovation project.
Don’t forget to clean as you go.
And most importantly, make sure you’re cleaning as you move through the renovation process. More often than not, there will be leftover dirt, dust, and other debris. In order to keep those materials from damaging your floors, make a point to do a short clean sweep at the end of each day of construction.
Keeping your floors clean and sturdy might not be the easiest job in the world, but it’s well worth the effort when your floors are looking amazing 10 years down the line. Are you ready to make sure your floors last a lifetime?