The way you care for you flooring will determine how long it will last and keep its fresh, new appearance. You have made quite an investment and should take the time to protect and maintain the beauty of your new floor. It is important to pay special attention to manufacturer recommended care and maintenance instructions and products. If a problem should arise with your flooring, the manner in which you care for it could determine whether or not your warranty is valid. The following are suggestions for the care and maintenance of your new floors.
1. 72 hours after the installation you should seal the grout. This will provide added protection from staining.
2. Sweep or vacuum tile regularly. If using a vacuum, make sure you are not using the beater bar – use the brush attachment instead.
3. Damp mop as needed with a pH neutral cleaner. You can usually find these tile specific cleaners from your tile supplier. Be sure to rinse thoroughly with clean, warm water.
4. For difficult stains, use a scrubbing pad such as Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. Do not use steel wool or scouring powders as they will scratch or damage the surface of your tile.
5. Blot up spills immediately.
6. Test all cleaners in a small, inconspicuous area before use.
7. Place walk off mats in entry areas to avoid tracking in excess dirt.
8. Place mats or rugs in areas where heavy objects are likely to be dropped (i.e. in front of the kitchen sink or cooktop).
9. Do not use acid based detergents that can either damage the surface of the tile or eat away at the grout.
1. Seal, Seal, Seal! Stone is a porous material that needs to be sealed immediately. To preserve the natural look of the stone while keeping it protected, use a penetrating sealer. If you would like to add some depth and shine to your stone, use a stone enhancing sealer.
2. Sweep, dust mop or vacuum regularly. Do not use a vacuum with a beater bar.
3. Damp mop with the recommended cleaners. There are cleaners available specifically for stone.
4. Do not clean with products like vinegar and lemon or other harsh or abrasive cleaners. These can dull or eventually discolor your stone.
5. Blot up spills immediately. Wiping causes the spill to spread which can lead to further mess.
6. Use floor protectors to avoid scratching your floor when moving furniture or other heavy objects.
7. Place walk off mats in entry areas to avoid tracking in excess dirt.
8. Place mats or rugs in areas where heavy objects are likely to be dropped (i.e. in front of the kitchen sink or cooktop).
1. Sweep, dust mop or vacuum regularly. Do not use a vacuum with a beater bar.
2. Place walk off mats in entry areas to avoid tracking in excess dirt.
3. Do not use rubber backed or non-ventilated mats as they may eventually discolor your floor. Be sure that the mat states “Safe for wood floors” on the label.
4. Avoid excess moisture/water as swelling, cracking or other damage may occur.
5. Use glides and floor protectors for furniture and other heavy objects to prevent scratching.
6. Do not use oil soaps, shine restoring products, ammonia, abrasives, or bleach to clean your floor.
7. Do not wax a wood floor with a urethane finish.
8. Beware of potential scratching that will occur from high-heeled shoes and your pet’s nails.
9. Blot up spills immediately.
10. Sunlight exposure will change the color of your floor over time. To minimize, reduce sunlight with blinds or drapes and consider moving your furniture and rugs from time to time.
11. Use only manufacturer approved cleaners. One cup of white vinegar to one gallon of water is still what we recommend to use for regular maintenance.
1. Sweep, dust mop or vacuum regularly. Do not use a vacuum with a beater bar. You can also damp mop your laminate floor.
2. Place walk off mats in entry areas to avoid tracking in excess dirt.
3. Use glides and floor protectors for furniture and other heavy objects to prevent scratching.
4. Avoid excess moisture/water.
5. Blot up spills immediately.
6. Use only manufacturer approved cleaners.
1. Vacuum regularly.
2. Blot stains immediately. Do not rub or scrub.
3. Use cold, not hot, water to rinse the stained area.
4. Use a clean white cloth for blotting.
5. Professionally clean no more than once per year, less if possible. Too much professional cleaning can damage your carpet. Additional “stain treatments” such as Scotch Guard or other brands are no longer needed because the carpets made today have permanent stain resistance built into the fiber.
6. Follow the recommended methods for stain removal (below) for different stains.
The following information is for spot removal of common household stains. To get started, there are some items that you may need:
– Clean, white paper towels or white cloth towels.
– Spoon and/or dull knife.
– Spray bottles for applying solutions.
– Ice for freezing gum, wax and glue before removal.
– Solution of 1 cup of white vinegar and 2 cups of water.
– Solution of 2 tablespoons of non-sudsing, non-bleaching ammonia and 1 cup of warm water.
– Solution of 1/4 teaspoon clear hand dishwashing liquid and 1 cup of water.
– Citrus solvent.
Be sure to test your spot remover in an inconspicuous area of the carpet before use. If there is a color change to the carpet or if color has transferred to your clean, white towel, do not use the spot remover. Contact a professional. Some stains will require professional attention. If you have tried to remove the stain and it still exists or you are unsure of proper treatment, call a carpet cleaning professional to help you.
| Water-based Stains | Oil-based Stains |
| alcoholbeerberriesbloodcandycatsupclaycoffee*colognefood dyesfruit juice/punchfurniture polish (water-based)ice creamjam/jellymilkmudpaint (latex/water-color)soft drinkssyruptea*tomato juice/sauceurine*vomitwine | butter, margarinechocolatecosmeticscrayonfurniture polish (oil-based)glue**gravygreasegum**inklipsticklotion, hand cream, ointmentsmayonnaisenail polishoilpaint (oil)peanut buttersalad dressingshoe polishwax** |
*coffee, tea, urine – DO NOT use ammonia solution on these stains.
**glue, gum, wax – Freeze, shatter,and remove as much as possible before using spot removal method.
Spot removal method for water-based stains
1. Remove excess solid material with a spoon or dull knife.
2. Be sure to work from the outside of the stain to the center to avoid spreading the stain and making it larger.
3. Use your clean, white towel to blot up liquids.
4. Apply the dishwashing liquid solution to a white towel and dampen the stained carpet with it. Be sure not to saturate the area.
5. Gently dab the area without rubbing or scrubbing. If needed, use your fingertips to make sure the solution gets to the base of the stain.
6. Rinse the area with clean, warm water and blot dry with a clean, white towel. Repeat until detergent is completely removed.
7. If stain has been removed and carpet is still damp, place a dry, clean towel on the area and weight it down (with something that will not transfer color) and repeat until dry.
8. If stain still remains, apply ammonia solution and rinse and blot like in step 6. Do not dry yet.
9. Be sure to neutralize the ammonia solution by applying the vinegar solution. Follow steps 6 and 7.
Spot removal method for oil-based stains
1. Remove excess solid material with a spoon or dull knife.
2. Be sure to work from the outside of the stain to the center to avoid spreading the stain and making it larger.
3. Apply the citrus solvent to a clean white cloth and dampen the stained carpet with it. Be sure not to saturate the area.
4. Use your clean, white towel to blot up liquids.
5. Apply the dishwashing liquid solution to a white towel and dampen the stained carpet with it. Be sure not to saturate the area.
6. Gently dab the area without rubbing or scrubbing. If needed, use your fingertips to make sure the solution gets to the base of the stain.
7. Rinse the area with clean, warm water and blot dry with a clean, white towel. Repeat until detergent is completely removed.
8. If stain has been removed and carpet is still damp, place a dry, clean towel on the area and weight it down (with something that will not transfer color) and repeat until dry.
9. If stain still remains, apply ammonia solution and rinse and blot like in step 6. Do not dry yet.
10. Be sure to neutralize the ammonia solution by applying the vinegar solution. Follow steps 6 and 7.
