Floored
Tiles, wood, or whatever the material is, flooring is as important as the walls. It’s also the only part of the house that takes maximum punishment — from feet, furniture and on Saturday nights, friends.
So, what’s the best way to take care of your precious floor? Here are some helpful tips:
Lost in the wood
Hardwood floors need much attention. Clean regularly. Also, start asking guests to leave footwear outside. High-heels and thick-soled boots can harm finish or dent the wood.
A helpful tip was from businessman Nitin Bhatia who uses citronella oil to keep his lovely wooden floor safe from termites. According to him, it also adds to the sheen. After cleaning (don’t let water stay), dry the wood floor immediately. Also, never let a damp rug remain on the floor for a long time.
If you live in temperate weather, consider the use of a humidifier. Severe temperature fluctuations can accelerate the wear of wood. Don’t let furniture drag. Get protective felt covers for the sharp feet.
Tiles, no toil
These surfaces are a relief compared to wood. However, you just need to be a bit careful. A daily check for dust using a simple mop and a light solution is ideal.
Never use harsh ammonia-based bleach or abrasive cleaners.
When buying an apartment, check the tile job carefully. Watch out for unnecessary, white cement fillings and mismatched placement of tiles. Rising tiles can chip easily and could even hurt feet.
Identify “high traffic” spots, like balcony entrances. You can always have rugs to catch the dirt.
Grout sealing
Even if tiles don’t require much maintenance, grout sealing is crucial. Grout is the space between the tiles and over time, the material used to fill the grout may start peeling away. But before repairs, make sure you remove the affected tile and the old adhesive properly.
Laminate, love it
Laminate floors are perhaps one of the most stylish options out there. They are also easy to install and a professional should finish the job in a few hours. But they are also very hard to maintain.
Laminate floors dull easily and utmost care must be taken to avoid abrasive cleaners and scouring products.
Regular cleaning is necessary but avoid using too much water. A container that can spray liquid is ideal and yes, NO BUCKETLOADS. Water can cause the the floor to swell and can lead to delaminating (stretching of materials that compose your floor). Also, joint lines could become strained.
Quick, easy checks are the best way to make sure your floor stays good.
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