Tips & FAQs

Avoid using abrasive tools on vinyl flooring

Whilst durable, Vinyl flooring can still scratch if abrasive tools are used to clean the surface. Avoid the use of abrasives like steel wool, instead use a soft-bristle broom or dust mop. When vacuuming be careful to use an attachment without a beater bar or rotating brush, which could also scratch the surface.

How to clean vinyl flooring

Wiping, light mopping or vacuuming on a daily basis is all it takes to clean your vinyl floor. Should a build-up of dust and dirt occur, simply dust with a soft broom or vacuum.

We recommend wiping the floor weekly with a damp mop or a cloth using warm water and if necessary a suitable, neutral detergent. Don’t oversaturate the floor with water, little and often is the best way.

Avoid using abrasive tools on laminate flooring

Laminate flooring has a protective surface to help prevent scratching, but laminate floors can still scratch if you use abrasive tools. Steer clear of anything like steel wool, instead use a soft-bristle broom or dust mop. When vacuuming be careful to use an attachment without a beater bar or rotating brush, which could also scratch the surface.

Is it OK to steam clean a laminate floor?

In short, not really. Although laminate floor is water water-resistant, it has an inner core which can be damaged by excessive moisture and intense heat. An occasional quick clean won’t hurt too much, but could eventually cause the floor tiles to warped come loose.

Our advice is to avoid steam cleaning, even if the steam cleaner claims it’s suitable for laminate floor. Use a lightly damp mop instead, and never over saturate the floor.

Only use cleaners approved for laminate flooring

Try to only use cleaning fluids that are suitable for laminate flooring. Some oil-based cleaning fluids will leave streaks and when dry show a residue. Certain cleaners may actually damager the protective surface coating of the laminate. Always spray the cleaner onto the cloth or mop you are using, avoid spraying it direct on to the floor surface.

Remove spillages on wooden floors immediately

It’s important to remove spillages on your wooden floor immediately. Allowing a liquid to sit on the wooden floor increases the chances of it penetrating into the wood and leaving a lasting stain. Mop up any spillages immediately with clean damp or dry mop.

It’s important when cleaning spillages such as juice or wine to keep any additional water to a minimum. Aim to remove the majority of the spill with a cloth before wiping clean.

Avoid using oils or wax on new wooden flooring

Avoid using oils or waxes on a new wooden floor as a new wooden floor will be most likely be sealed with a protective coating, any oils or waxes cannot penetrate the into the material. By preventing the floor absorbing the waxes and oils, they remain on top and are likely to make the floor very slippy and dangerous.

Only use cleaners approved for wood flooring

Try to only use cleaning fluids that are suitable for real wood flooring. Some oil-based cleaning fluids will leave streaks and when dry show a residue. Certain cleaners may actually damage the protective surface coating of the laminate. Always spray the cleaner onto the cloth or mop you are using, avoid spraying it direct on to the floor surface.

How to avoid discolouration

Sunlight is the biggest culprit for the discolouration of any type of flooring. Direct sunlight over time will cause the colour of a floor to fade, to avoid this we suggest closing curtains wherever possible to shade areas of extreme sunlight.

Heat emitting appliances such as heaters can also cause discolouration. Try to avoid permanent sources of heat over your floor, and where unavoidable consider using a mat to help protect the surface.

Note: Use unbacked mats on LVT as the rubber backing can itself cause discolouration.

Avoid Dragging Furniture Across the floor

Avoid pushing or dragging large furniture across your floor. Dragging furniture across the floor is liable to scratch the flooring. At the very least use furniture sliders, but try to avoid any latex or rubber backed protectors as this is likely to cause discolouration of the flooring beneath.

Removing Stains from LVT

If in doubt, contact us. Using the wrong type of stain remover on your LVT can cause damage to the tile surface.

For most stains such as food or pet excrement, best results can be found by scrubbing the affected area with a full-strength vinyl cleaner, followed by a mixture of water and bleach (1 part bleach to 10 parts water).

For solvent based stains such as nail varnish or paint, in most cases the stain can be carefully peeled off. If in doubt contact us before using any other stronger method do removal.

Scuff marks from shoes and rubber furniture feet can be rubbed away with your finger. If this doesn’t work, contact us and we can recommend an approved cleaner.

Cleaning Your New LVT Floor

LVT is extremely easy to clean. Simply sweep and vacuum regularly to remove any loose soil and dirt collecting on the floor. For more stubborn marks clean the floor with a non-abrasive floor cleaner. If cleaning the floor with a damp mop use luke-warm water and do not flood the floor with water as this can damage the tiles.

Soap based detergents and abrasive cleaners should be avoided if at all possible.

A tuft is sticking up, what should I do?

On the odd occasion a tuft from the pile of the carpet can work its way to the surface and sit proud above the rest. If this happens simply trim the tuft using scissors or a pair of sharp nail clippers.

Never pull on the tuft as this may create a larger defect in the carpet which cannot be rectified without replacing the entire carpet.

What’s the best way to remove a carpet stain?

Always check with us the correct way to clean your carpet. Most of the new man-made synthetic carpets are bleach cleanable but not all of them.

If you carpet is bleach cleanable, dilute the bleach before cleaning. Use 1 part bleach to 10 parts water. Always test on a small patch before cleaning large areas.

For wool carpets use water or a WoolSafe approved cleaning spray.

Where stains are particularly heavy, professional help may be required. Give us a call and we can put you in touch with a reputable cleaner.

Remove Outside Footwear

Removing your outside footwear before entering the room reduces the amount of dirt and soil that comes into contact with your new carpet. Where removing outside shoes isn’t an option we recommend a matching rug to help take the worst of the soiling. We can make a rug from matching carpet, or you can choose a complimentary design. Rugs are more easily replaced than the carpet.

Move Furniture Regularly to Avoid Indentations

Furniture of any sort will leave indentations in your carpet over time. This is particularly noticeable for carpets with a high pile height. We advise moving furniture on a regular basis to allow the pile of the carpet to ‘bounce back’.

If your furniture is especially heavy, or the feet are particularly pointed or sharp we would recommend using furniture pads on the feet where required.

Take Care of Stains Quickly

Unfortunately accidents do happen, if you are unlucky enough to have spilled liquid on your new carpet it is paramount that the stain is dealt with quickly and correctly. The longer a stain is left on the carpet the harder it will be to remove as it works it’s way into the pile.

Be sure to use the correct method to clean your carpet. Not all man-made carpets are bleach cleanable, and never use bleach on a natural carpet such as wool.

Vacuum Your New Carpet Regularly

Regularly vacuuming your carpet will remove the build-up of soil within the fibres that can make your carpet look dirty. Removing the soil from within the fibres will also help prolong the life of your new carpet by reducing the abrasion between the dirt and the fibres which can prematurely wear your carpet over time.