Gone are the days when you had to get on your hands and knees to scrub the kitchen floor.
With the wide choice of patterns available, vinyl flooring has increased in popularity and offers an ideal solution for your kitchen and bathroom requirements.
It looks wonderful when first installed, but how do you keep your floor looking pristine?
Flooring can resembles marble or tiles, or you may opt for a flooring with a wood or laminate effect. http://www.ukflooringdirect.co.uk/ are among companies which offer a wide selection of bathroom and kitchen flooring.
Prevention is better than cure. If your kitchen has a door leading outside, place a mat outside the door so people can wipe their feet before coming in. This will remove grit and grime, which can be trodden into your floor and scratch it, making your job a lot more difficult when it comes to cleaning. If you place a mat inside the door, do not use a rubber mat as this can stain the floor.
1. Remove Excess Dirt
This is easily done by using a broom. If you choose to use a vacuum cleaner, don’t use the setting for carpets, as the beater will eventually damage the flooring.
2. Mop the Floor
The simple guide here is to use warm water. Hot water can seep between joins and eventually erode the adhesive, though this is less of a problem if you use interlocking planks. Wring the mop thoroughly before using it so you do not soak the floor.
3. Use Gentle Products
Harsh cleaning products will not only strip away the surface of your floor, but they are also hazardous to health. In a very useful survey, the US-based Environmental Working Group lists everyday cleaning products which contain ingredients that can cause many common illnesses.
The easiest solution is to pour a little washing-up liquid into the water. A quarter cup of white vinegar in a gallon of warm water is equally effective.
4. Deep Cleaning
If there is a stubborn stain, you can remove it by scrubbing the affected area gently. Rinse afterwards and dry with a towel.
5. Do Not Wax
Avoid this at all costs. If you use wax your floor, it becomes slippery and discoloured.
Clean properly, and your floor will look as good as new for many years to come.