Dave Dumoulin is a flooring expert and representative of JP Flooring, a Cincinnati Flooring Company.
Carpet Care
Let's start by saying that the most important thing you can do to prolong the life of your new carpet or rug is to vacuum it. Regular vacuuming removes those nasty dirt particles that leave it looking dingy over time and abrade the fiber, which shortens its lifespan. Use a vacuum that has a rotating brush or beater bar, which stimulates the carpet tufts and loosens the dirt and soil. (Plus, schedule regular professional cleanings to remove soil accumulation that your regular vacuum can't reach.) If your area rug has a fringe, make sure it's sewn on well, and use the vacuum carefully.
If you have a thick carpet and want to remove any tracks the vacuum makes (it's called shading), you might try vacuuming in one direction, and then smoothing the carpet surface by hand.
You can help to reduce wear in your carpet by occasionally alternating your furniture placement to change the "traffic lanes" and allow the carpet to wear more uniformly. Be sure to vacuum these specific areas more often to reduce dirt particles, which can lead to matting too.
Vinyl Flooring Care
Caring for a vinyl floor is fairly easy, but there are some general rules.
Vacuum regularly to remove grit and sand, and wash your floor occasionally with the manufacturer's recommended floor cleaner. (Never use abrasive cleaners, soaps, paste waxes or solvents, though.) Also, to keep sand and grit from being tracked onto the floor, non-staining walk-off mats should be placed at every outside entry to the room.
Dull-looking vinyl floors can be restored to their original gloss with the manufacturer's recommended floor polish - but first, try cleaning to make sure a film on the floor isn't causing the dullness. With inexpensive PVC floors, you should consider using 2-3 coats of polish - any vinyl floor with a PVC wearlayer (that's a fancy name for surface) shows scuffs, scratches, and other marks very easily and by adding those coats of polish you'll make the floor easier to maintain.
When moving heavy objects across a vinyl floor, place plywood sheets down first and move the object over them.
Area Rug Care
Let's start by saying that the most important thing you can do to prolong the life of your new carpet or rug is to vacuum it. Regular vacuuming removes those nasty dirt particles that leave it looking dingy over time and abrade the fiber, which shortens its lifespan. Use a vacuum that has a rotating brush or beater bar, which stimulates the carpet tufts and loosens the dirt and soil. (Plus, schedule regular professional cleanings to remove soil accumulation that your regular vacuum can't reach.) If your area rug has a fringe, make sure it's sewn on well, and use the vacuum carefully.
If you have a thick carpet and want to remove any tracks the vacuum makes (it's called shading), you might try vacuuming in one direction, and then smoothing the carpet surface by hand.
You can help to reduce wear in your carpet by occasionally alternating your furniture placement to change the "traffic lanes" and allow the carpet to wear more uniformly. Be sure to vacuum these specific areas more often to reduce dirt particles, which can lead to matting too.
Laminate Flooring Care
Laminate floors will give you years of sturdy life if you follow some regular maintenance tips.
Start by vacuuming your floor regularly using soft brush attachments. Wipe with a damp cloth or damp mop when necessary.
Even though these floors are extremely durable, they can be scratched, so you want to protect the floor from grit and sharp objects at all times. And always use felt pads or wide based casters underneath all chair and furniture legs. When moving heavy objects across the floor, use extra care and place walk off mats by all exterior doorways.
There are some "don'ts" when it comes to laminate floors, too. They should not be polished or waxed, and you should never use steel wool or harsh abrasive cleaners on them.
And never, ever try to refinish or sand a laminate floor.
Hardwood Flooring Care
To keep your hardwood floor looking beautiful, there are some simple procedures you should follow.
Vacuum regularly and use non-staining mats at exterior entrances to keep sand, dirt, grease, and oil outside.
To protect your floor's finish, use pads underneath furniture legs to help prevent scratching, and, while we're on the subject, keep all your pets nails trimmed, too. Along that same line, when moving any heavy objects (like furniture or appliances, for instance), use a dolly and protective sheets of plywood on the floor.
When cleaning the floor, always use the manufacturer's recommended cleaning procedures. Avoid getting water on the floor, too, as it may cause the wood grain to rise, or the boards to cup.
And be careful about exposure to the sun, because UV rays do the same thing to wood that they do to skin: accelerate the aging, which causes the wood stain to change color.
- Related Articles
- Related Q&A
- Adding New Life to Aged Hardwood Floors
- Madera Floors. Fairfax, Va. Hardwood Floor Specialists. Installation, Sanding And Refinishing
- Custom rugs: they may be your answer
- Choosing The Best Hardwood Floor
- Floor Care
- Transform Your Home With New Flooring.
- Don't Ignore your Floors!
- Commercial Flooring Contractor: your Guide to Have the Best Commercial Flooring




Let GAPCOMM Help with Your Commercial Fit Outs!
By: Lauren Hill | 12/11/2009What can GAPCOMM offer you and your commercial fit outs? More than you might think. They’re a “one stop shop” for your next commercial fit outs as they will be able to help you with every step in the process. They understand how busy their commercial clients can get and how the additional work of fit outs can be draining and stressful. That is why they strive to make the commercial office fit out as stress free and easy as possible.
Interior Home Painter - Experience Painters
By: Horace Jordan | 12/11/2009Do you know about the significance of colors in our lives? How beautifully they give a completely new life to our lives, our things, our moods and of course of homes. You can do wonders with colours following some classic interior painting ideas that incorporate nothing except class and style. Yes, I am talking about the significance of interior painting ideas and I know terribly well that how much they influence our lives. If you don't want to go so far in the complexities o...
Know Everything about Granite Tiles
By: jasoncolling | 12/11/2009Granite tiles are a critical attribute of every house. The extraordinary looks make it one of most in-demand materials. A large chunk of people use these tiles to adorn their kitchen and bathroom floors.
How to Keep Rugs Flat on Carpet - Best Rug on Carpet Pad
By: Luis Santamaria | 12/11/2009Many people have beautiful area rugs that they use on top of carpet. To keep this looking beautiful, it is important to get the right rug on carpet rug pad. A rug on carpet pad keeps rugs from creeping and keeps them flat. Avoid trip hazards and premature wear to your rug with the right rug on carpet pad.
Some Important Designing Tips For Bathroom Tiles
By: alixaaron | 12/11/2009Bathroom tiles are used for enhancing the allurement of the bathroom and creating amazingly beautiful results. These tiles come in a variety of colours, designs, patterns and style.
About Interior Room Paint Finishes
By: Joe Cline | 12/11/2009Painting the walls of a room are a great way to bring a new look into a drab living environment. For very little money, an entire look can be created with a few gallons of paint. However, if you have ever stepped foot into a paint store, you know the color choices are endless. Without even considering the color options, there are many paint finishes to choose from, from flat to glossy.
Commercial Fountains for your Company
By: Wendye Rivera | 12/11/2009Wall Fountains are not just a stylish decorative item but it offers a number of pertinent benefits. The flowing water in the fountain has a comforting sound which creates a tranquil and peaceful ambience in any office or home. 1. Medium for Advertising your Business Advertising your business is a must to be at par with your competitors or more so outdo them. Many companies are coming up with unique ways to make their products known in the market. Another exceptional option companies have is to
Feng Shui And Indoor Water Fountains
By: Chris Gill | 12/11/2009Water fountain specialists Water Fountain Place (http://www.waterfountainplace.com) talk about water fountains and Feng Shui symbolism.
Floor School : All About Vinyl
By: Dave Dumoulin | 01/05/2008 | Home & FamilyToday's vinyl flooring can look like hardwood, stone, or just about any natural flooring material, while still keeping vinyl's easy-to-take-care-of benefits. Let's take a look at vinyl flooring, and see why vinyl is a great flooring choice for your home.
Floor School : All About Carpet
By: Dave Dumoulin | 20/03/2008 | Interior DesignLet's explore the features of carpet, and learn how to care for the carpet in your home.
Floor Care
By: Dave Dumoulin | 31/12/2007 | Interior DesignTips on how to take care of your floors to keep them looking newer longer.
First Aid for your Floors
By: Dave Dumoulin | 23/11/2007 | DIYDid you ever want to know how to take care of a spill on your carpet or how about a cut in your vinyl flooring? Here are some first aid tips for your flooring mishaps.