It Looks Like Wood, but it not, But How Should You Clean It?
Hard floors like this are increasingly common in modern homes. They give the appearance and texture of timber, but the surface may actually be a manufactured material such as laminate, vinyl or another polymer-based finish.
That distinction matters when it comes to cleaning.
If you have just moved into a new home, are looking after hard flooring for the first time, or you are a cleaner working in somebody else’s property, don’t assume that a floor should be cleaned according to what it looks like. Before using strong chemicals, lots of water or machinery, try to find out what the flooring actually is and check the manufacturer’s care instructions where these are available.
Start with the simplest cleaning method
Most day-to-day dirt on a floor like this does not require aggressive cleaning. Start by vacuuming or sweeping to remove grit, hair and loose debris. Pay particular attention to the textured grain and joints where dirt can collect.
For routine cleaning, use a clean microfibre mop that is damp rather than soaking wet, together with a suitable hard-floor cleaner. Avoid flooding the floor and don’t assume that adding more chemical will make it cleaner. Too much product can leave residue behind and gradually make an otherwise attractive floor look dull.
Spills should be dealt with promptly, particularly around joints and edges. For stubborn marks, identify what caused the mark first and use the least aggressive suitable treatment rather than immediately reaching for a strong chemical.
Be careful with steam
A hard, waterproof-looking surface can give the impression that a steam cleaner must be safe to use. That isn’t necessarily the case.
Steam combines heat and moisture, and the top surface is only one part of the flooring. Depending on its construction, heat or moisture may affect joints, adhesives, backing materials or the layers beneath the visible surface.
A useful rule is therefore:
Water resistant does not automatically mean steam safe.
Unless the flooring manufacturer confirms that the particular product is suitable for steam cleaning, I would avoid using a steam cleaner on it.
Look after the floor, not just the dirt
Good floor care is often quite simple. Remove grit regularly before it scratches the surface, use as little moisture as necessary, clean spills promptly, avoid excessive chemical and protect high-wear areas where appropriate.
For professional cleaners there is an additional responsibility. We are not only there to remove dirt, we are also being trusted to look after somebody else’s property. If you don’t recognise a floor or aren’t sure what a product will do to it, stop and find out before proceeding.
The best cleaning method is not necessarily the strongest one. It is the method that gets the floor clean without shortening its life or damaging its appearance.
