MAINTENANCE AND CLEANING

Proper maintenance not only helps extend the life of your floor, it also protects your warranty.  We carry proven brands that are designed to last, with some of the longest warranties available.

Most of the maintenance-related questions we hear from customers are about carpeting or hardwood floors. So, here are some general maintenance tips:

CARPETING

Despite your best efforts to keep your floors looking pristine, accidents happen. Carpets and rugs are more susceptible to spills than other types of flooring. Spot removal instructions vary somewhat by manufacturer, but there are some general guidelines you should follow for any carpet:

  • Remove stains ASAP; the longer they sit, the more they’ll set.
  • Never scrub to remove a stain; always blot instead. This will help prevent fuzzy areas.
  • Before using any cleaning agent on your carpet, test it on a small, hidden area (e.g. the corner of a closet.)
  • Keep a “carpet kit” handy so you’ll be ready to remove stains quickly.  The kit should include:
    • Bottle of spot remover (approved by Carpet & Rug Institute of America)
    • Spoon / Dull knife / carpet cleaning "key”
    • Nail polish remover (with acetone)
    • Isopropyl alcohol
    • Hydrogen peroxide
    • White vinegar
    • Ammonia

For more information about carpet cleaning and maintenance see The Carpet and Rug Institute's online guide.

HARDWOOD FLOORING

  • Vacuum and sweep your floor frequently, especially in high-traffic areas.
  • Keep pets’ nails trimmed and their paws free of dirt, gravel, grease, oil, and stains.
  • Use protective window coverings to block fade-causing UV rays and excessive heat from direct sunlight, and rearrange rugs and furniture periodically to help your floor age evenly.
  • Remove shoes with spiked or damaged heels before walking on floor.
  • Use a humidifier during heating seasons to help reduce wood shrinkage and maintain proper relative humidity (between 35% - 55%).
  • Avoid wet-mopping, damp-mopping, or cleaning your floor with water or other liquids.
  • Do not use hardwood floor-cleaning or buffing machines or steam cleaners.
  • Avoid using soaps, liquid or paste wax or other household products containing oil (such as citrus, lemon or tung oil), or silicon to clean floor.
  • Do not use harsh cleaning aids such as steel wool pads, any scouring pads containing metal or scouring powders.
  • Do not use 2-in-1 cleaners with polish that may contain acrylics or urethane polish to restore gloss.

More information about caring for your hardwood floors is available from Armstrong, Mohawk, and Shaw.