Top stone floor care tips
Place entry mats for soil and moisture removal at all entry points. Remember, the less brought in, the less to cause damage and the less to clean.
Don’t forget to regularly vacuum. Some surfaces don’t always appear to need cleaning but always assume it does. As sure as dust settles on a windowsill, so it does on floors. Use an upright vacuum.
Avoid spills as much as possible. Hot liquid spills are especially hazardous and also a lot harder to clean up because they penetrate more rapidly. Spot removal procedures should be carried out as soon as an accident or spillage occurs.
After performing a wet maintenance, open windows to get air circulating. The faster it dries, the better the results and less chance of rapid resoiling.
If rugs are used, remember to use non-skid underlay for your safety and it will also prolong the life expectancy of the rug. (Art of Clean can provide you with rug underlay). Periodically move the rug and clean under them as dirt and grit can quite easily accumulate and start to rub on the floor as you walk back and forward across the rug.
Chairs and tables in hard surface areas could cause serious damage to floors if legs and corners are not protected. Teflon or felt protectors can be used to prevent the abrasive damage often caused by the furniture. (Art of Clean can advise you on what is the best)
If you live in a part of the country affected by snow and ice, be sure to leave the shoes that may have salt or liquid de-icer on them at the door. Chemicals used in these products cause rapid and irreversible damage.
Dry sand on hard surfaces in coastal areas should be removed as soon as noticed. Wear patterns and scratches will dull your floor and reduce your efforts to enhance the floor.
Clean and rinse them regularly, once monthly in low traffic areas and weekly or more frequently in high traffic or kitchen areas. Rinse with plain water unless using a cleaning solution recommended by your floor care consultant.
Allow dwell time for stubborn spots and stains, cleaning products are not magic, the longer they sit on that stubborn spot the better they work. Extra rinsing may be needed after stain is removed.
If a stain appears permanent, DON’T PANIC, call us on 01223 863632.
Maintenance Plan you wish you had implemented the day of installation!
INITIAL CLEAN:
You can invite your floor care consultant to advise you on the plan of attack for restoring your floor. This might include discussing repair work, seal or finish stripping, grout colouring, repairs to etched areas, or treatment to remedy staining.
Enquire about what is the best sealing or impregnating product for your particular hard floor. It’s then an easy step to get that initial work and protection carried out.
INITIAL MAINTENANCE:
Ask your consultant about the correct maintenance products and how to use them. Vacuum your floors on a regular basis. (the longer between cleans, the more the grit somehow always gets in, will be ground into the floor abrading the protection and the surface). Damp mop only when needed but spot clean with urgency.
SEMI-ANNUAL CLEANING:
Schedule a mid year professional clean. Over a 6-month period, your floors are likely to gather build up of dust and other foreign particles that may require a high heat extraction process for removal.
SPRING / AUTUMN MAINTENANCE CLEAN:
Lift the rugs and non-skid underlay, remove all removable furniture; vacuum thoroughly; apply a heavier application of the neutral floor cleaner and damp mop.
ANNUAL CLEANING:
Schedule an annual maintenance clean. This will include a full hot water clean and as and when appropriate, a re-application of the sealer or impregnator. Your floor care professional consultant will carry out a full inspection of wear patterns and recommend any action required should there be any other problems.
