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General Floor Care
With every floor we sell, we try to make sure you receive
a copy of the manufacturer's recommended Floor Care Guide. It is always
best if you follow the manufacturer's recommended floor care and maintenance
guidelines. If you have misplaced your copy please feel free to contact
us about obtaining another.
If you are in immediate need of floor care recommendations
please select the floor type from the box provided. This will give
you some good general floor care procedures to help protect your flooring
investment. For specific questions please feel free to contact
us.
We carry the manufacturer's maintenance products so you
can be sure when shopping with us to get the right floor care product
for your new floor.
So why not stop in and let our friendly, knowledgeable
sales staff help you protect your flooring investment.
Carpet Care
Carpet Stain Removal
 Treatment
of the affected area should begin immediately upon discovery. The more
time that elapses before treatment, the more difficult a stain will
be to remove.
First scrape the food spill gently with a spoon or dull
knife, removing as much as possible.
Always work from outer edge of the stain towards the
center to avoid spreading. Blot, do not rub or scrub, as the
carpet may fuzz.
When using a mild detergent, use a clear, non-bleach
laundry detergent. Do not use cloudy detergents as they can leave a
sticky residue. Use only 1/4 teaspoon of detergent to 32 ounces of
water. Follow detergent cleaning with clear water rinsing and then
blot dry as much as possible.
For any stain removal, use a white cloth or paper towel
for cleanup.
Vacuum Regularly
Most dirt, and even dust, takes the form of hard particles.
When left in the carpet these gritty, sharp particles abrade the pile
of the carpet. Regular vacuuming not only prolongs the life of the
carpet, but will enhance its appearance as well. Most soiling in carpet
is of the dry, particle type which can be removed with a vacuum cleaner.
Vacuum high traffic lanes daily, medium to high traffic
areas twice weekly, and the entire house at least once a week.
Use a vacuum with a rotating brush or beater bar. Change
the bags often and check the beater bars for burs and gouges so as
not to damage the surface of the carpet. Some thick loop pile carpets
will fuzz if a rotating brush vacuum is used. In this case we recommend
a suction vacuum only.
Preventive Maintenance
The use of mats or runners at all home entrances and
on uncarpeted areas adjacent to carpet will reduce soil and moisture
in traffic areas. Clean mats and any other rugs placed over carpet
regularly.
The use of furniture coasters to distribute the weight
of heavy items is also recommended, especially for furniture with wheels.
Take care when moving furniture with wheels by putting a protective
barrier between the wheels and the carpet.
To extend the beauty of your carpeting, close drapes
or blinds during hours of direct sunlight.
Exercise extreme caution with all bleaches, tile cleaners,
mildew removers, oven cleaners, drain openers and plant food. They
are strong chemicals that can permanently discolor or dissolve carpet
fibers.
Cleaning Recommendations
Even with regular vacuuming, soil particles and oily
dirt will cling to the carpet fibers. With foot traffic these particles
and oily dirt are driven deep into the carpet. We recommend professional
hot water extraction every 18 to 24 months. Periodic cleaning, using
the hot water extraction method performed by a professional cleaner,
will refresh carpet appearance.
The most used areas, such as entrances, doorways, traffic
lanes, and in front of chairs will collect dirt faster than other areas.
Clean these areas as they begin to show soil. This will stop dirt from
spreading, and will extend the time between professional cleaning.
We carry the manufacturer's recommended maintenance products
so you can be sure when shopping with us to get the right floor care
product for your new floor. So why not stop in and let our friendly,
knowledgeable sales staff help you protect your flooring investment.
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Hardwood Floor
Care
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Vacuum
Regularly - Small stones, mud and gritty dirt tracked in
from outside can play havoc on the wood floors finish. To help
combat this, place long bristle welcome mats at all outside
entrances for people to wipe their feet on before walking onto
the floors. Also, vacuum using a soft bristle brush attachment.
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Use
the Proper Chair Glides - Narrow wheels, sharp wooden legs
or metal furniture legs can scratch and dent hardwood floors.
Any furniture that rests directly on top of a hardwood floor
should have felt protectors, or furniture coasters under all
it's feet. For extremely heavy objects such as a piano,
use wide, non-staining rubber cups. Purchasing floor protectors
is cheap insurance for protecting your hardwood floor investment.Protect
from Direct Sunlight - your wood floor may change color
or fade due to exposure to direct sunlight. The sun's UV rays
accelerates the oxidation and aging of wood so periodically
rearranging your furniture and closing the curtains during
intense periods of sunlight can help avoid the problem.
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Don't
Use Oil Soaps - There are many over the counter oil-based
soaps and wax based cleaning products that may damage or dull
the finish of your wood floor. The best suggestion is to only
use the manufacturers recommended cleaning products on your
hardwood flooring.
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Never
Wax a Urethane Wood Finish - If your hardwood floor has
a polyurethane finish never use a paste wax on the floor's
surface. A paste wax may form a sticky film on your floor and
allow tracked in dirt to stick to your wood finish. Polyurethane
finishes will not adhere to any wax and adding a fresh coat
of polyurethane to your floor will be very difficult.
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Trim
Pet's Claws - Pet's claws may scratch you floors finish.
Regularly trim dog's claws to help reduce scratching your floor's
finish.
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Wipe
Spills Immediately - when accidents happen and some liquid
gets spilled on your hardwood floor, you should use a slightly
damp white cloth, or paper towel to immediately clean up and
dry the affected area. For more difficult spots, follow the
manufacturer's recommended cleaning procedures.
Laminate Floor
Care
- Vacuum Regularly -
vacuum using a soft bristle brush attachment. Place long bristle
welcome mats at all outside entrances for people to wipe their
feet on before walking on your floors.
- Light Damp
Mop - most laminate floors may be lightly damp mopped when
needed. Avoid standing water as this may cause the seams between
the planks to peak.
- Use the Proper
Chair Glides - Narrow wheels, sharp wooden legs or metal
furniture legs can scratch your floors. Any furniture that
rests directly on top of a laminate floor should have floor
protectors, or wide furniture coasters under all feet.
- Don't Use
Oil Soaps - There are many over the counter oil-based soaps
that will leave a dull finish when used for cleaning your floor.
- Trim Pet's
Claws Regularly - Even though laminate floors are durable,
pet's claws may scratch the surface if they are not trimmed
regularly.
- Never Wax
a Laminate Floor - laminate floors have a very dense surface
and floor waxes will not stick to the surface.
- Wipe Spills
Immediately - when liquids get spilled on your laminate
floor use a slightly damp white cloth, or paper towel to immediately
blot up and dry the affected area. For more difficult spots,
follow the manufacturer's recommended cleaning procedures.
- Follow the
manufacturer's recommendations - the best suggestion is
to only use the manufacturers recommended cleaning products
on your floor.
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Vinyl Floor Care
 Whenever
possible, place a non-staining doormat outside each entrance to your
home to prevent dirt, sand, grit, and other substances such as oil,
asphalt, and driveway sealer from being tracked onto your floor.
Do not use latex-backed, rubber-backed or coco-fiber mats on your
vinyl floor.
- Sweep your vinyl
floor regularly (at least once a week).
- Vinyl manufacturers
recommend the use of latex-based driveway sealers to minimize
the potential staining from asphalt sealer tracking.
- To avoid sunlight
causing your floor to fade or discolor you should always close
your curtains or blinds where extreme sunlight hits the floor.
- Replace all
narrow furniture rests with wide-bearing ones. Support furniture
with wide-bearing, non-staining floor protectors. It is recommended
that all furniture protectors be at least one inch in diameter,
made of non-pigmented, hard plastic, and rest flat on the floor.
Non-staining felt protectors are also acceptable. Casters with
a minimum 3/4" flat surface width or floor protectors are
recommended for all moveable furniture. Metal floor protectors
are generally not recommended.
- Always use strips
of 1/4" plywood or sheets of underlayment as runways to
protect the floor if you need to move heavy objects, such as
your refrigerator, across your vinyl floor. Runways should always
be used even with furniture dollies, or even if the heavy objects
are equipped with wheels or rollers.
- Wipe up spills
immediately to help prevent stains. The longer a stain sits the
tougher it will be to remove from the surface.
- To prevent dirt
build up occasionally mop your floor with the manufacturer's
recommended floor cleaner. Follow the instructions on the bottle
and do not over mix or your cleaning solution may leave a dulling
film. Avoid soaps, cleaning powders and detergent products as
they will leave a dulling film. Although the no-rinse cleaners
do not need rinsing, rinsing will provide the better shine. If
you do notice a dulling film after cleaning the floor, try a
thorough rinse with warm, clean water.
- To restore the
hi-gloss on a urethane vinyl floor most manufacturer's recommend
the use of a polish. Do not use paste wax and do not try to buff
a urethane vinyl floor. Be sure the floor is thoroughly clean
and completely dry before applying the manufacturer's recommended
floor polish. (If all the dirt is not removed prior to applying
the polish the dirt will become trapped underneath.)
- Vinyl floors
can become slippery when wet. Use extreme caution when walking
on a wet floor.
- Some of the newer
vinyl floors have a low-gloss finish and the use of a floor polish
may make the floor shiny.
- It may be necessary
after several applications of polish to strip the entire floor
and reapply a new coat of polish. This may also be necessary
for excessive dirt and grime build-up. Use the manufacturer's
recommended heavy duty floor cleaner and stripper product. Once
the floor is thoroughly cleaned, rinse, dry, and then apply a
new coat of polish. High traffic areas may require more than
one application of polish. Allow polish to dry "tack-free" between
coats.
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Ceramic Tile Care
 Although
glazed ceramic tile requires less floor care than most of the other
flooring types, there are things you need to do to maintain the beauty
of the ceramic tile floor.
- Wash Regularly -
Wash the floor regularly to remove any dirt or grit. Use a mild,
diluted detergent solution, such as Mr. Clean or Spic & Span.
If in doubt, call us to get the tile manufacturer's cleaning
recommendations.
- Vacuum Regularly -
Sweep, or vacuum your glazed tile regularly.
- Avoid Ammonia-based
Cleaners - ammonia-based cleaners may discolor some types
of colored grout.
- Always Rinse -
After washing with a mild detergent you should thoroughly rinse
the floor with clean, warm water.
- Never Wax a
Tile - The glazed ceramic finish should never be waxed.
- Wipe Spills
Immediately - If some liquid gets spilled on the floor
you may use an all-purpose cleaner like Fantastic, or Top Job
to clean up the affected area. This will help the grout joints
from becoming discolored from spills (Non-epoxy grout joints
should be treated with a silicone sealer twice a year to ensure
stain protection.)
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Don't
Damp Mop - Water and wood floors don't mix! Use only the
manufacturer's recommended cleaning products on your hardwood
floor.