1. Guide to Floor Cleaning the Various Types of
Floor
Floors are made from various materials and they are treated differently from one
another. Sometimes even if they are made from the same material but they have
a different surface finish they have to be treated differently. For example with
wood floors you need to be aware if it has a surface finish or a penetrating finish.
Floor cleaning is not as simple as it may seem. Below is a guide on how to care for
the different types of floors.
Floor wood with penetrating finish
A floor with a penetrating finish has a more matte finish meaning you can actually
feel the grain of the wood. These types of floors are sealed or covered with the oil
or wax which has gone into the wood. Penetrating finishes comprise sealers or
resins.
 Do not use water base cleaner; instead use solvent-based. Spray a light film
of natural citrus solvent in the floor. Use a dry mop with microfiber or a
simple dust mop.
 Do not use cleaners which are meant for surface finish because these could
leave the floor cloudy.
 When something is spilled on the floor wipe it immediately with a slightly
damped cloth and afterwards hand buffed dry.
 To eliminate the white spots made by water spills use the best steel wood
and a small amount of natural citrus solvent, rubbing it slowly in circular

2. motion until the spot disappers. Apply a little amount of jojoba oil to the
affected areas and buff.
Laminated flooring
The top of the flooring is called laminated when a hard melamine wears layer of
printed paper. It is very sturdy and easy to clean. You can avoid using cleaning
products in cleaning laminated floors since you do not need them.
 Vacuum, then use a wipe with damp cloth or use a dust mop.
 Clean spills you have to wipe the area immediately with a sponge or cloth.
 Do not use abrasive cleaners, steel wool or scouring powder which mat
scratch the floor.
 Do not use soap-based cleaners or those “mop and shine” items you see on
television, they make your floor look cloudy.
 Do not eat or polish your floor.
Resilient floors
These are known to be the softer floors and they include vinyl, linoleum and cork.
The linoleum is usually mistaken for the vinyl although they are made from very
different in material. Vinyl is synthetic whereas real linoleum is made from
natural ingredients.
 Sweep, dust mop and vacuum regularly
 Damp mop with a mild all naturally liquid dish detergent and warm water

3.  Damp mop with 2/2 cup vinegar mixed with water.
 Drip sponge in jojoba oil and lightly rub lightly then remove it.
 Do not use solvent-base products which can soften and damage resilient
flooring.
 Do not scour the floor. You may want to make paste of baking powder and
carefully wipe with a wet rug
Ceramic floor tile
The water douses the porous tile and prevents the cleaning agents from
penetrating to the tile body. When floor cleaning tiles you should be rinsed the
floor well.
 Maintenance includes sweeping, or using dry or damp mopping or
vacuuming to lessen the grit.
 Start with the most gentile way possible which may be simple but as warm
water.
 Damp-mop ceramic tile with a love pH mild detergent. Dry the floor with a
soft cloth to avoid streaks.
 Do not use harsh abrasive cleaners which might scratch the glaze; and
 Do not acid-based cleaning mixture because they can damage the complex
silicates in a glaze.

4. As mentioned earlier floor cleaning is not as simple as it seems because you have
to take into consideration a lot of things such as the materials which the floors are
made of and their finish. Always remember to read labels and instructions of
cleaning products before using them.
Learn more about Floor Cleaning here.