A thorough spring clean targets hard-to-reach areas that wouldn’t usually be covered as part of your regular routine and makes it easier to keep on top of those chores throughout the year.
With the official start of spring just a few weeks away, Flooring Superstore collaborated with cleaning expert Henry Paterson (Housekeep) to discuss how best to clean your floors around your home.
Make light work of cleaning carpets with stain resistant carpets
According to Flooring Superstore, stain resistant carpets account for 30% of all items sold in the past month, as customers look to take the hassle out of clean floors.
Craig Smith, Merchandising Manager at Flooring Superstore, said: “Carpets constructed from bleach cleanable fibres offer maximum protection from stains and are therefore extremely popular, so much so, they accommodate for 67.55% of our entire range. Our loop pile carpets are a personal favourite.
They are constructed from densely packed fibres which allows it to be extra durable and require less maintenance. Also due to how it’s constructed, loop carpets tend to have a stunning design which adds to its many benefits. A whole host of our loop pile carpets consist of bleach-cleanable fibres and come with a fantastic five year stain warranty.”
Top tips on cleaning your floors
When spring cleaning your floors, you’ll want to be thorough, so move any furniture that you can to another room, including sofas, tables, and chairs. Be careful when doing this as you don’t want to scratch any hard flooring or injure yourself.
Hardwood floors
You can clean hardwood floors, such as vinyl, wood, or tiles, with your usual floor cleaning product. Make sure to pick a product that’s designed for your floor material; you can check the label on the cleaning product if you’re not sure. Vacuum the floor first, and then mop with your product, as per the instructions.
Carpet
In carpeted rooms, you should begin by vacuuming thoroughly. Then shampoo the floors using a shop-bought carpet cleaning product. These products all have slightly different application methods, so always begin by reading the instructions on the label carefully.
Tiles
How you clean your tiles will depend on the type of tiles and where they are located. First, check what type of tiles you are cleaning and make sure you get a solution appropriate for that type of tile. For example, some materials will require a pH neutral cleaning solution. If you are cleaning bathroom tiles, usually a standard floor cleaner and mop will do. It is important to note, that you may also need to clean the grout between these tiles with a specialised cleaner and more abrasive pad or brush. For kitchen tiles, again a standard floor cleaner should be sufficient. However, for areas such as a splashback behind the hob, you may need something stronger and designed to remove grease.
Henry also gave advice on which cleaning products to avoid using on specific flooring types: “It’s important when cleaning any flooring to read the labels of your products to check they’re suitable and follow the instructions provided. For homemade remedies, such as bleach and water solutions, white vinegar, or isopropyl alcohol, do a quick online search to check that they’re suitable for your floors. You should also test any products or solutions on a discrete, inconspicuous area first, such as beneath furniture to ensure that it won’t damage your floors”.
Henry added: “For wood, vinyl and laminate surfaces, you should try to use as little moisture as possible to avoid any warping. You should wring your mop or cloth as much as possible – until it’s almost dry – before cleaning and run over with a dry mop or cloth afterwards to quickly dry the floor”.
Craig added: “High traffic areas may benefit from a low maintenance and hard-wearing flooring range such as EvoCore. It has multiple benefits when it comes to easy cleaning, so could be a great option to consider. It’s waterproof, scratch-resistant and easy to maintain; making it both practical and a stylish choice for any room in the house.”
