Floor Care

Floor Care Guide for Bamboo, Engineered Timber, Laminate and Vinyl Flooring.

The best way to reduce floor cleaning is to prevent dirt and grit coming into your home in the first place.  Grit acts like sandpaper, removing the finish from your floor.  Chemicals from asphalt can be trailed in on the bottom of shoes and onto your floor, causing it to yellow.

You can save yourself cleaning time, and your new flooring, by simply placing doormats inside and outside your exterior doors, or by removing footwear altogether.

Following our easy cleaning guide below, will add longevity to your new floor.

Bamboo & Engineered Timber Floor Care & Cleaning Tips:

  • Sweep or dust your floor in the same direction as the grain, using a soft bristle broom or brush.
  • Clean your floor using a microfibre mop and a PH neutral wood floor cleaner.  If using a traditional mop, make sure it is only slightly damp.
  • Soak up spills immediately using a dry towel or dry mop.
  • Use rugs made of a breathable material with a breathable rug underlay to prevent moisture entrapment.

Things to avoid:

  • Avoid vacuum cleaners as they can leave scratches, unless they have a specifically designed fitting for bamboo/timber flooring or have a hard wood setting.
  • Avoid using to much water when mopping your floor, as this can cause warping, distortion and swelling.  If using a wet mop, make sure the water has been totally wrung out. Standing water may cause permanent damage.
  • Avoid steam mops as they may distort, warp and swell your flooring due to absorption by your floor.
  • Avoid rugs with solid rubber or vinyl backings that can build up moisture.
  • Avoid walking on your floors with high heeled shoes or shoes with spikes.
  • Do not use vinegar, mineral spirits, detergents, bleach, polishes or wax treatments, oil, abrasive cleaning soaps, acrylic finishes, detergents or ammonia based cleaners.

Laminate Floor Care & Cleaning Tips:

When cleaning your laminate flooring, you are actually cleaning the finish, not the laminate underneath.

  • Dry clean your laminate flooring using a microfibre mop or soft bristled broom, being careful to keep dirt ahead and not underneath your mop or broom, as dragging grit underneath may scratch your floor.
  • If vacuuming, use a hard floor attachment suitable for cleaning laminate flooring to prevent scratching.
  • Use non abrasive, soap free cleaners, cleaning products made specifically for laminate floor care, or recommended by your laminate flooring supplier.
  • Spray cleaning products directly on to a cleaning cloth or mop, as applying cleaner directly to laminate could cause discolouration.
  • Use a spray bottle filled with one part white vinegar and 3 parts water, shake well.  Spray only a little at a time and wipe solution off immediately using a damp soft mop or cloth, to prevent the vinegar from wearing away the protective coating.
  • If mopping, wipe down your floor with a slightly damp mop or cloth, wiping parallel to the boards.
  • Use a dry microfibre mop or soft cloth to dry your floor, if it hasn’t started to air dry by the time you finished mopping.
  • Use a pencil eraser to remove any heel marks.

Things to avoid:

  • Avoid using excessive water as it will damage laminate flooring, use a mist or spray bottle to minimise the amount of water.
  • Avoid using steam cleaners and wet mops, as they can cause irreparable damage.
  • Never allow liquids to stand on your floor, including pet urine, promptly wipe up immediately.
  • Do not use wax, polish, oils, soap-based detergents, shine enhancers, acidic or abrasive cleaners, or varnish.
  • Never use steel wool, scourers or scouring powder.
  • Do not use any type of polishing, sanding or buffing machine.

Vinyl Floor Care & Cleaning Tips:

Vinyl is easy to maintain and ideal for high traffic areas.

  • Use a lightweight vacuum or soft broom to remove dirt and debris on a regular basis, before the dirt becomes grounded in.
  • Use a damp mop, floor cleaner designed for vinyl flooring and warm water (not hot). For a deeper clean, add small amount of white vinegar.
  • Use two mops, one for cleaning and one for rinsing.
  • Rinse your floor thoroughly after cleaning, using plain water and a damp (not wet) mop.
  • Prevent dents in your vinyl floor by fitting heavy furniture with protective pads or feet.  Fit chairs with felt tips.
  • Some vinyl plank floors may benefit from a yearly coat of floor polish to protect against wear and tear.  Consult the your flooring manufacturers instructions beforehand.

Things to avoid:

  • Do not drench your vinyl flooring as water can make its way into cracks, seams and edges, destroying the glue bond, causing the vinyl to come loose &/or corners to curl.
  • Avoid using strong, abrasive cleaners.
  • Avoid using wired brushes for cleaning.
  • Avoid furniture with rolling casters to avoid damaging the surface.
Menu