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Muddy shoes and sandy feet, paw prints, spills, crumbs and tumbleweeds of dust and pet hair – floors can cop a lot of wear and tear on a very expensive surface. The weekly whip-round with the vacuum and mop takes care of the worst of the dirt when it comes to floor cleaning, but a seasonal deep clean is the extra step your floors will thank you for, taking your home to a next level of clean and extending the life of your surfaces.
Solid timber floors can last for generations, but they need a little love to stay looking good. Sweep or vacuum regularly to prevent dust and dirt scratching the surface, and use the hard floor setting on the vacuum to turn off the brush roll. The greatest threat to your timber floor’s longevity is water, so mop with a damp microfibre mop, which holds less water than other types, says Bunnings national cleaning buyer Mario Mathuranayagam. “Be careful how much water you use when mopping. Excessive water on hardwood can cause swelling and can damage the timber stain if left to sit,” he adds. While water alone is more than enough for day-to-day cleaning, Mario recommends a timber-specific floor cleaner to preserve the wood. “A product such as Long Life timber floor cleaner will remove grime without leaving any residue,” he says.
Candice Cooke of cleaning technology specialist Kärcher Australia advises vacuuming carpets and rugs at least once a week to keep them in good condition. “This will keep your carpet looking good for longer and will also ensure hygiene,” she explains. “Dust can settle deep into the fibres of carpets, holding onto pollutants and bacteria.” Steam cleaners can be used periodically to give your carpet a refresh and – hot tip – they’re also great for lifting dents caused by furniture legs!
Use a deep-cleaning machine periodically – about every six to 12 months. This is different from a steam cleaner, says Donna White of Britex Carpet Care. “It uses the power of hot-water extraction to deep-clean carpets, rugs, upholstery, car interiors and even floor tiles and grout. Regular deep cleaning helps remove bacteria, dirt, allergens and stains that build up over time. It can also freshen up carpet,” she says.
Start with a good vacuum, using the crevice tool to vacuum the edges of the carpet and around furniture. You could choose to remove furniture from the room entirely, but it’s not necessary. “The Britex 3in1 deep cleaning machine has an interchangeable manoeuvrable wand system, making it easy to get under furniture to get optimum results,” says Donna. To make the job easier, shift small items like side tables.
To help ensure your carpets age gracefully, tackle stains fast. Use a chemical carpet-cleaning product, following the instructions carefully to avoid damaging the fibres. A spot cleaner, like the Kärcher SE 3-18 Ultra Clean, makes the job even easier. “When paired with Kärcher detergents, you can easily remove stains from deep within the fibres of carpets and upholstery,” says Candice. “Simply spray the detergent onto the stain, leave it for a few minutes to work its magic and break down the dirt, then suck away the dirt with the powerful suction nozzle.”
While known for its durability, laminate doesn’t like an excess of water, which can seep under the planks and damage the layers beneath the surface. “Never use a steam cleaner or a dripping-wet mop, which can easily damage laminate,” says Mario. “Instead, use a damp cloth to blot spills immediately, as standing liquid causes laminate to bubble and swell.”
For both laminate and timber floors, applying a floor polish product will give the surface added protection and a high-gloss finish. To do this, use a cleaning product like Long Life cloudy ammonia, which will strip off any existing waxy residue, then follow it up with a suitable floor polish.
For durability and ease of maintenance, vinyl scores top marks – simply sweep and mop it regularly. Steam mops are great for family homes, giving a hygienic clean without chemicals, and because vinyl isn’t affected by water, it’s ideal for steam cleaning. “The natural force of steam eliminates 99.99 per cent of germs and bacteria without using any harsh chemicals,” says Candice. “With attachments for almost every cleaning task, Kärcher steam cleaners are more versatile than traditional cleaning tools.”
When it comes to cleaning products, Mario says never use soap, wax or oil-based detergents on vinyl flooring, as they can tend to dull the finish and leave a greasy film.
Tiled floors are easy to keep in shape – all they need is regular sweeping and a mop with water alone or a tile-safe detergent (avoid those with ammonia, which can discolour grout). But the grout in between is a different story, as mopping actually pushes dirt into the gaps between the tiles. Steam mops can help prevent this issue. “A steam mop is a good choice because it cleans and sanitises tiles without leaving behind streaks. And because steam cleaners use only water, they won’t damage the grout,” says Mario.
The Britex grout and tile wand – used in conjunction with the Britex 3in1 deep cleaning machine – is perfect for removing grubby marks from tiles, says Donna. “This takes the backbreaking effort out of cleaning floor tiles and grout. Use it with Britex grout and tile cleaner, which is formulated to remove build-up from grout as well as leaving your tiles looking cleaner, and for stubborn stains use Britex grout and tile spray as a pre-treatment,” she advises.
Extra care is needed for natural stone tiles. Like marble, stone is more porous than other surfaces, so you’ll need to jump on spills and stains straight away, using a mild detergent. Never use vinegar or other acidic cleaners. Stone floors should be sealed for protection – then you will be able to use a steam cleaner on them.
To keep your floors in tip-top shape, stick to a regular weekly routine of vacuuming carpets, and vacuuming or sweeping and mopping hard floors. High-use rooms, such as kitchens and bathrooms, might need more frequent attention. Tackle spills and stains as soon as they happen. Then aim for a deep clean at least once a year, advises Donna. “If you have kids or pets, or if anyone in the household has allergies, every six months would be ideal,” she says. With good organisation, a deep clean of all your floor surfaces can be done in a weekend. Start by getting your gear ready – steam cleaners can be hired for 24 or 48 hours from the Hire Shop in store. Open all doors and windows to speed up drying time. Begin with carpeted rooms, then do the hard surfaces, leaving thoroughfares until last to avoid cleaning yourself into a corner. Plan to be out of the home afterwards – about four hours should do it.
Skirting boards are dust catchers, especially those with ornate profiles. For an extra-fresh deep clean, use a solution of warm water and mild detergent or a splash of cleaning vinegar and wipe them down by hand. Use a toothbrush or crevice tool to get into corners and polish them dry with a microfibre cloth.
Freshen up alfresco area floors in time for spring with a deep-cleaning treatment.
Photo Credit: Alex Reinders, GAP Interiors/David Giles
Asbestos, lead-based paints and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber are health hazards you need to look out for when renovating older homes. These substances can easily be disturbed when renovating and exposure to them can cause a range of life-threatening diseases and conditions including cancer. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer or visit our Health & Safety page.
When following our advice in our D.I.Y. videos, make sure you use all equipment, including PPE, safely by following the manufacturer’s instructions. Check that the equipment is suitable for the task and that PPE fits properly. If you are unsure, hire an expert to do the job or talk to a Bunnings Team Member.
