Unless you became a Mrs Hinch devotee during the pandemic, chances are you might be missing a trick or two when it comes to keeping your floors spick and span. With so many different finishes, deciding which products and devices are safe to use on tiles or wood or lino can feel like a minefield. Here, we’ve got the answers to help you avoid costly mistakes – and keep your home looking Instagram-worthy.
Carpet
Carpet is undeniably cosy and soft underfoot but it’s the floor type most likely to stain and hide dirt, as anyone with pets or children will know. The key to a spotless floor? Your toolkit. A powerful vacuum cleaner will effortlessly remove stray dirt, hair and crumbs in seconds (because we’ve all experienced the frustration of a lacklustre machine that misses even the most obvious grime).
Choosing a device that fits your lifestyle is key – the Shark Stratos upright and cordless vacuum ranges, for example, both include a model that’s tailored to pet owners, featuring Anti Hair Wrap Plus and additional pet-specific tools. They’re designed to remove embedded hairs but at the same time prevent those hairs becoming trapped around the brush itself.
There’s also an anti-allergen function that captures and traps 99.9% of dust and allergens inside the vacuum* (preventing them being released back into the air), handy if you’re prone to allergies. And both ranges boast technology that protects against bad odours for a fresher-smelling home.
Linoleum
The original resilient flooring material, lino is made from natural materials whereas vinyl, with which it is often confused, is synthetic. Lino is brilliantly easy to clean – a quick sweep or vacuum followed by a steam mop will instantly bring it back to life. Be careful to avoid soaking it in water – lino is “water resistant” rather than completely waterproof. Steam mops from Shark can give a precise, targeted deep clean, without the need for harsh chemicals – useful on lino since high pH levels in some cleaners can damage its surface.
Vinyl
Made mostly of PVC (the material vinyl records are made of, hence the name), vinyl is often used as a low-cost alternative to natural hardwood flooring. Because it’s resistant to moisture (along with mould and mildew) you’ll often find it in bathrooms and basements. And the good news – along with lino, it’s one of the easiest floors to keep clean.
Regular sweeping or vacuuming will keep the surface ship shape, as will regular cleaning with a steam mop. Because Shark’s steam mops are easy to manoeuvre on all types of hard floor – the swivel steering will help you navigate around furniture and reach even the trickiest crevices – it’s never been easier to keep surfaces such as vinyl looking pristine. And the job’s a quick one, too – with the blast mode you can use superheated, concentrated steam to lift stubborn messes in seconds, saving you from having to bend down and wipe them up with a wet cloth. Do note that some vinyl flooring brands don’t recommend using steam cleaners, so check yours first.
Tiles
Tile floors are usually found in areas of high traffic, which means that regular cleaning is a must. Weekly is usually best, with a deeper clean – tackling grout too – carried out once a month. If you spot a stain though, attack it immediately, rather than letting it sit.
First, remove loose dirt or debris with a brush or vacuum (doing this regularly means it won’t become embedded in the tiles or grout). Because tiles come in so many varieties – from porous natural tiles such as limestone or marble (which are usually sealed to protect against staining) to ceramic or porcelain (which tend not to need sealing) – it’s important to use cleaning products designed to suit the specific tiles.
Natural tiles tend to be more delicate, which means abrasive materials or tools are a no-go, whereas porcelain and ceramic tiles can withstand a more robust clean, responding brilliantly to steam mops, for example.
Generally, it’s best to avoid anything too acidic on tiles, and if grout looks tired, specialist cleaners (or a combination of hydrogen peroxide and water applied with a toothbrush) can help lift stubborn stains.
Laminate
Because laminate flooring has a fibreboard core, too much water can damage it, so it’s best to stick to cleaning methods that don’t involve much water at all and to tackle liquid spills as soon as they happen. Always read the manufacturer’s instructions in terms of products to use and avoid anything too abrasive (a big no-no is anything abrasive, as it can damage the surface). Stick to soft bristle attachments on your vacuum and if you want to mop or wipe down the surface, always wring mops out thoroughly before using, to minimise water contact (too much water could result in the surface bubbling, or cause stains or fading).
*Based on IEC standard 62885-2 Cl 5.14 at 0.3 to 10 microns.
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