* Sweep or vacuum floor bi-weekly to prevent sand or abrasive dust from building up and scratching the finish. Use a
brush type broom or dust mop when sweeping by hand, or a brush or felt type of vacuum. Do not use a vacuum with
a beater bar head, and make sure the wheels are clean and free of grit, sand or other abrasive material.
* Place doormats and rugs outside and inside every entrance to the house. This will reduce the amount of sand and
abrasive dust that is brought inside the house/building. Also consider the use of runners and area rugs in excessive
traffic areas and pivot points of stair landings and room entrances.
* Place a rug in front of the kitchen sink, wet bars, dishwashers, and other work areas to prevent damage from spilled
fluids and dropped items.
* Remove all spills promptly using a soft cloth as water from spills can cause damage to any wood floor.
* Never wet mop, damp mop or flood your floor with water or other products. Excess water will cause cupping, swelling
and subsequent gapping. Standing fluids can also dull the finish, damage the wood, leave a discoloring residue, and
void the warrantee.
* Do not use sheet vinyl or tile floor care products on wood floors, as they will dull the finish and cause the floor to be
slippery.
* Do not use cleaners that contain pine soap, lemon oil, oil soap, chlorine bleach, silicon, ammonia, or any abrasive
cleaners. They might scratch the surface, react with the floor’s finish, and negatively affect the long-term
performance of your floor. Use of non-approved cleaners will also void the warrantee.
* Take care to protect the floor by placing protective pads beneath furniture legs and feet. Use dollies, thick fabric
pads, or carpet scraps soft side down when moving heavy objects such as furniture and appliances.
* Keep pets’ nails trimmed and paws clean of dirt, debris and oils as they may affect the condition of the floor.
* Avoid walking on wood floors with cleats, sport shoes, and high spiked heels. You should also avoid wearing
damaged and worn shoes containing metal in their structure, as there is a high risk of scratching and denting.
* Hardwood is a natural product and as such will expand and contract with changes of relative humidity. Excessive
shrinkage and/or swelling can result in the cracking, cupping, and gapping of the floor. It is recommended to keep
relative humidity levels between 35% and 55% year round. This can be accomplished by using a
dehumidifier/humidifier and/or air conditioning.
* As a wood floor ages, it will change color and gain its final character. Natural and UV rays will accelerate this aging
process, and warranties do not cover damage related to light exposure. To avoid problems and uneven aging due to
light exposure, make sure to rearrange rugs, furniture and other objects periodically so the floor ages evenly over
time.
General Care and Maintenance Guidelines
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Wood or Laminate
Tile Floors Cleaning Tips
First, you need to assemble the cleaning products you will use. You'll need 2 large buckets 1 for the cleaning
solution, and 1 for the rinse water, you'll also need a small portable canister vacuum, or a broom and a dust pan, and
then finally get some old towels, rags, or sh-mop to dry the floor.
Use the canister vacuum and vacuum up the dirt and dust. That's right, a vacuum!. Nothing works easier. If you do
not have a canister vacuum, use your upright if it has the proper attachments, or resort to the good old broom and
dust pan.
Fill the bucket with plain warm water to wash the floor. If the floor is really dirty, add a drop or two of vinegar, or dish
soap to 1 gallon of warm water to help cut the grease, or a combination.
Use the mop and scrub the floor, rinsing frequently. Be sure to change both the cleaning and rinse water if it gets too
dirty.
After you have cleaned the entire floor, go over the still damp floor with dry towels, rags, or use a sh-mop. You'll be
surprised at how much dirt the towels will pick up even after you were certain not a speck of dirt remained. Drying the
floor with the towels has the added benefit of removing any water spots that may have left any unsightly spots behind.
The floor will shine.
Tile Floor Care
The proper care of your tile floor will prevent damage, keep it looking beautiful and extend its life. Dirt and grime is
your floors enemy #1. Invert in good floor mats and always remove your shoes. This will go very far at keeping out
dirt, dust, sand and debris.
Your should always vacuum, sweep and dust mop your tile floors prior to mopping, otherwise the dirt will mix with the
water and end up in the cracks and crevasses.
Cleaning Marble Floors
You should generally only use warm water on your marble floors. Never, ever use vinegar on marble. The acid in
vinegar damages, actually etches and removes the surface of the marble. After mopping, dry the floor with a cotton
towel or use a sh-mop to remove the moisture and prevent water spots. Always dry your marble floors, they spot very
easily.
How To Clean Ceramic Tile and Slate Floors
Clean tile floors and slate tile floors with warm water only. Cleanliness and keeping the dirt off them is essential with
these types of floor surfaces as they become scratched and dull easily. You should also apply a liquid sealant found
in hardware stores to slate and ceramic tile floors and also to the grout. Clean up spills promptly to avoid staining..
Cleaning Stained Grout
Cleaning the stains out of grout is very much a no-win situation. Grout is very porous, which means that the cleaning
solutions used (and their color) means that the liquid cleaners will seep right through. First of all you need to
thoroughly spray a solution of 50/50 of 3%hydrogen peroxide with water onto the stained grout. Let it sit for about 30
minutes and then repeat. Do not try this on colored grout. Hydrogen Peroxide is actually a bleach, It is safe but do not
use this on colored grout as it will fade the color.
If the stain will not budge, you should soak a white paper towel with straight 3% hydrogen peroxide, and lay the paper
towel on top of the stained grout. Then cover the paper towel with plastic wrap to stop the hydrogen peroxide from
drying out. The paper towel will keep the 3% hydrogen peroxide on the stain surface which will give it time to dissolve
the grout stain.