Easy Tips to Keep Your Carpet and Floor Clean

They say an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and it's just as true in keeping your carpets and floors looking fresh and new. Here are some tips to help you keep your carpets and floors sparkling and fresh.

Cleaning Tips for Hard Floors

Tile, vinyl and hardwood floors have a reputation for being maintenance friendly, but there are some things that you can do to make them even cleaner in less time.

1.Daily sweeping will minimize the cleanup needed.

Taking a few minutes a day running a broom or microfiber mop over your hardwood, tile or other smooth surface floor will keep it looking new for a longer amount of time. Dirt is an abrasive. Every time you walk over the floor, you grind the dirt into the floor, reducing the life of the finish. Even worse, those tiny scratches in the finish collect dirt, so your floor will look dirty faster. A quick daily touchup will reduce the damage and everyday wear and tear on your floor.

2.Wipe up spills promptly.

When a spill sits on a floor for a prolonged period of time, the moisture will soften the finish and may permeate the finish and stain the surface. Even if it is 'just water', it is a good idea to wipe up the spill with a soft, absorbent cloth to minimize damage, and keep your floors safer.

3.Use a damp mop once a week.

Once a week, use plain water and a damp mop to clean your hard floors and pick up dirt that has become ingrained. Do keep in mind that 'damp' means exactly that. Try not to flood the floor with water; just give it a quick once-over with a damp sponge or micro-fiber mop. Finish off with a swipe using a vinegar and water mixture to renew and refresh the shine.

Cleaning Tips for Carpets

Carpets and rugs pamper our feet and insulate our floors. Keeping them clean is a fairly simple matter, as long as your keep a few tips in mind.

1.Vacuum frequently.

Most of the damage done to carpets is done by plain, household dirt. Similar to how dirt abrades the finish on your hard floors, dirt can weaken the fibers of your carpet. A daily once-over with a light weight carpet sweeper like the Shark VX3 or the Shark Steam Mop can prevent damage from dirt and lengthen the life of your carpet

2.Get to stains before they set in.

The longer chemicals are allowed to interact with carpet fibers, the harder they will be to remove. Get spills as soon as they happen to prevent them from becoming stains. Your best tool for getting at stains is a soft white cloth to blot up the moisture before it sets in.

3.Shampoo carpet once or twice a year.

It's not necessary to wet-wash your carpet any more often than once every six months or so, if that. Before shampooing, be sure to spot test with the shampoo you are planning to use to be sure that it won't damage the carpet.

The Worst Floor Cleaning Jobs - And How to Make Them Easier

Eggs!

One of the ickiest floor cleaning jobs in the world is the dropped egg. The slimy whites and yolks just seem to slide away from your sponge or mop, and leave a sticky residue on the floor. Before you start wiping up, get out the salt and pour it on. The salt will absorb the moisture in the egg so you can just sweep it up, or grab it with your carpet sweeper.

Crayons!

Did your little darling color outside the lines, and all over your tile floor? It's not necessarily easy, but it is effective. All you really need is a dry soft cloth or paper towel and a heavy duty application of elbow grease. Wax can just be buffed off the floor, but do not scrape or scratch. If you do, you will damage the finish and let dirt get in beneath it.

Red Wine Spills!

Red wine and grape juice spills can be a home-owner's horror when it comes to your carpet or upholstery. Your best bet is to get to it before it dries and sets into a stain. As soon as it happens, grab a soft, absorbent cloth and start blotting. DO NOT RUB or SCRUB. This is vital; it will just work the stain into the fibers. Put the cloth over the stain and press down firmly to absorb as much of the wine as possible. Turn to a clean section of the cloth and repeat until none of the wine remains.

What if the stain has set? Mix up a solution of two parts hydrogen peroxide and one part blue dishwashing liquid, apply to the stain and let sit, and then blot it up as described above.