How to maintain each type of Floor

It's easy to forget that the flooring in our homes need looking after; but it is essential to make it last longer. Here are a few tips to help you.

Wooden
Hardwood floors are the epitome of elegance and last for decades if cared for properly. However, a little negligence can leave the floor looking dull, warped and scratched. Here's how you can keep it looking beautiful:

• Always monitor the amount of sunlight that falls onto the floor. Excess sunlight can cause discoloration.
• It is important to protect the flooring from everyday wear and tear. To minimize the scuffing and scraping, use rugs and floor protectors for the furniture and appliances that come in contact with the wood.
• Avoid using water to clean wooden floors. Any water-based cleanser could trigger the wood to rot easily.
• Apply wax as often as you can in areas that are constantly in use, such as the staircase, hallway, living room and kitchen.
• Always trim the toenails of your pets, to avoid any scratches on the wood.

Marble
Marble is not only considered a symbol of prosperity but also one of inherent beauty. It adds class to any home and is also easy to clean and maintain, because you don't have to worry about it being damp and wet. Follow these easy tips to keep your marble floor new and shiny for a long time:

• Use hydrogen peroxide to return marble to its original colour that may have been lost due to discolouration.
• Clean the floor regularly with a cotton string mop and water to keep it free from dirt and grime. However, take care to dry up the water quickly.
• Remove rust stains from the floor using lemon juice and salt. But do not leave the mixture on for too long.
• Polish your floor every now and then to maintain the lustre.

Stone
Granite is one of the most beautiful and durable stones for flooring. It is easy to clean and maintain. As a result it is widely used in homes. These tried-and-tested tips will keep your floor shining:

• To keep the floor clean, sweep and mop it with warm water everyday. However, make sure to wash it with soap once a week, followed by rinsing with warm water so that the floor remains sealed and shining.
• If you spill something on the floor, clean it right away. However, always blot, never wipe the spill.

Tile
Ceramic tile floors can add cheer and character to your home and the best thing is that it is quite easy to maintain as compared to other floorings. Here are few, simple, yet effective measures, to keep your flooring as stunning as ever:

• Try and keep a separate pair of footwear to be worn inside your home, so as to prevent the tiles from getting scratched.
• To avoid that dull residue on the floor after cleaning, mop with warm water and don't forget to dry the floor soon after.
• Keep a scraper handy to gently remove crayon marks, grease smudges, food droppings or other spills that may occur. However, you should always be careful to avoid scratching the surface.
• To prevent dirt from accumulating, place rugs and mats in hallways and doorways. The mat will catch the dust and grime from the shoes and help in keeping the floor clean.
• Make sure you always use a tile cleaner suitable for the type of tiles you have and the kind of sealant needed to fix those particular tiles.