Flooring maintenance is crucial for preserving the beauty and longevity of your floors. Proper care not only enhances the appearance but also extends the life of your investment. Different types of flooring require specific maintenance routines to keep them in tip top shape.
Wood and engineered wood floors need routine cleaning with a microfiber mop and appropriate cleaning solutions. Avoid using products that polish or shine, as they can damage the finish. Regular maintenance includes dust mopping and using floor protectors to prevent scratches.
For luxury vinyl flooring, regular cleaning with a soft mop and warm water is recommended. Avoid abrasive cleaners and excessive water to prevent damage.
Porcelain tiles require neutral detergent cleaners and thorough rinsing. It’s important to avoid acid washing and steam mops to maintain the integrity of the tile.

General Regular Maintenance
Regular maintenance is key to preserving the appearance and durability of your floors. By following a consistent cleaning routine and using the right products, you can ensure that your flooring stays in excellent condition. Here are some essential tips for maintaining different types of flooring:
Clean Food Spills Immediately
Promptly addressing spills prevents stains and damage to the flooring surface. Allowing food spills to sit on your kitchen or dining room flooring can lead to discoloration and long-term damage that is difficult to repair.
Avoid Acidic or Abrasive All-Purpose Cleaners
Stay away from powdered cleaners, oil soaps, dishwashing detergents, and dusting products. These can harm the floor’s finish, making it dull and more susceptible to scratches and other damage.
Remove Shoe Marks and Scuffs
Use a non-abrasive all-purpose cleaner and a scrubbing pad to tackle shoe marks and scuffs. This approach ensures that the floor remains smooth and unblemished.
Damp Clean Regular Household Dirt
Use an appropriate vinyl floor cleaner to effectively manage everyday dirt. Damp cleaning helps lift and remove dirt without scratching the floor or leaving residue.
Sweep and Vacuum Before Cleaning
Ensure fine particles are removed to prevent scratches during the cleaning process. Opt for a vacuum cleaner with a bare floor setting to avoid damaging the surface.
Do Not Wax the Surface
Waxing can cause buildup, making floors slippery and reducing their overall safety and appearance. It can also attract more dirt, leading to a dingy look over time.
High Traffic Areas
Regularly clean high traffic areas with proper cleaning techniques to maintain the best appearance. These areas are more prone to dirt and wear, so extra care is needed.
Dust Mop Frequently
Regular dust mopping helps remove dirt and prevent scratches. This simple routine can significantly extend the life and beauty of your floors.
Use Appropriate Cleaning Products
Choose cleaning products specifically designed for your floor type. Using the right products ensures effective cleaning without damaging the floor’s finish. Avoid using steel wool on wood floors for example.
Clean Spills Immediately
Always address spills quickly to avoid long-term damage. Immediate cleanup prevents stains and keeps the flooring looking new.

Preventative Maintenance
Preventative maintenance is essential for preserving the quality and appearance of your floors. By taking proactive steps, you can prevent damage and ensure your floors remain in excellent condition for years to come. Implementing these practices will help protect your flooring surface from scratches, wear, and other potential issues. Here are some key preventative maintenance tips to keep your floors looking their best:
Use clean protective mats at entryways to trap dirt and moisture before they reach your floors. This step helps prevent scratches and wear caused by tracked-in debris.
Limit sand and grit on floors to reduce the risk of scratches. Sand and grit act like sandpaper, gradually wearing down the finish and causing damage.
Install proper floor protectors on furniture legs to avoid scratching and denting the flooring surface. Regularly inspect and clean these protectors to remove any embedded grit.
Regularly clean protectors to remove embedded grit and maintain the smooth surface of your floors. Embedded grit can scratch the floor’s finish.
Do not wax the bottom of furniture legs as this can lead to buildup and a slippery surface. Use non-staining floor protectors instead.
Dust mop or vacuum floor frequently to remove dirt and debris. Regular cleaning with a dust mop or vacuum cleaner prevents particles from scratching the floor and keeps it looking its best.
Avoid household dust treatment chemicals which can leave a residue and dull the floor’s finish. Stick to gentle cleaning methods and appropriate cleaning solutions.
Sweep the floor as needed to remove loose dirt and debris. This simple task helps prevent scratches and keeps the floor clean.
Avoid using excessive water for cleaning as too much water can seep into the wood fibers or under the surface, causing swelling, warping, or damage. Always use a damp mop instead.
Do not allow pets with unclipped nails on vinyl floor to prevent severe scratches and damage to the floor’s surface, reducing its lifespan. Pets and flooring, of all kinds, can be a destructive combination so make sure you’re proactive and protective of your flooring investment.

Hardwood Care & Maintenance
Proper care and maintenance of your hardwood floor is essential to ensure their longevity and keep them looking their best.
Best Practices
Use mats outside entryways: Place mats at all entryways to trap dirt and moisture, preventing them from being tracked onto the floors.
Use area rugs inside for added protection: Area rugs help protect high-traffic areas from wear and tear, especially for rooms directly accessible from the outdoors such as sunrooms.
Sweep or vacuum when needed: Regular sweeping or vacuuming helps remove dirt and debris that can scratch the floor.
Move heavy items with a blanket or carpet scrap: Protect the wood floor from scratches by placing a blanket or carpet scrap under heavy items, like couches, on your hardwood living room floor, before moving them.
Use floor protectors on furniture legs: Install protectors on the legs of furniture to prevent scratching and denting.
Ensure furniture casters are wide-barrel type: Wide-barrel casters distribute weight more evenly and reduce the risk of damage.
Wipe spills immediately: Quickly clean up any spills to prevent moisture from damaging the wood.
Maintain relative humidity between 35%-65%: Proper humidity levels help prevent wood from expanding or contracting excessively. Laundry rooms and basements are a great example of where you should be carefully monitoring to ensure your flooring’s lifespan.
Use runners or area rugs in high traffic zones: These provide additional protection in areas that experience heavy foot traffic.
Allow wood floors to age naturally: Let the floors develop their natural patina over time.
Avoid
Standing water on the floor: Excess water can cause wood to swell and warp.
Spike heel shoes: These can dent and damage the wood surface.
Ammonia, pine soap, oil soap, chlorine bleach, or abrasive cleaners: These products can harm the finish and integrity of the wood.

Porcelain Care & Maintenance
Proper maintenance of porcelain tiles ensures their longevity and keeps them looking pristine. Follow these guidelines for the best results:
Initial Cleaning During Installation
- Remove setting material, grout residue, and construction residue before they dry: Cleaning up promptly during installation prevents permanent stains and makes final cleanup easier.
- Use a neutral detergent cleaner followed by thorough rinsing: A neutral detergent helps remove any remaining residues without damaging any tile surface, whether you’re maintaining your shower tile ideas or tiles in the kitchen.
Special Grouting Precautions
- Test patch before grouting: Conduct a test patch to check for any grout pigment contamination and avoid discoloration of the tiles.
Proper Care During Construction Phase
- Use protective cover like cardboard, construction paper, or plywood: These materials protect the tile surface from damage during construction activities.
- Avoid plastic covers: Plastic can become slippery and may delay the curing process of thin-set and grout.
Glazed, Matte, Honed, and Textured Tiles
- Do not require sealers, surface coating, or waxes: These tiles are designed to be low-maintenance and do not need additional coatings.
- Use low VOC, non-hazardous, non-polluting cleaning products: Environmentally friendly products are safe for both the tiles and the environment.
- Avoid acid washing: Acidic cleaners can damage the surface of the tiles and the grout.
- Do not use steam cleaners: Steam can penetrate small cracks and damage the tiles or grout.

Carpet Care & Maintenance
Proper care and maintenance of carpets are essential for longevity and appearance, whether it’s your bedroom flooring or your living room carpet. Here are key steps to ensure your carpets stay in top condition:
Installation and Protection
- Install the right pad during installation: The correct carpet pad provides essential support and extends the life of your carpet, particularly on stairs.
- Use walk-off mats to keep dirt outside: Placing mats at all entry points traps dirt and debris before they reach your carpet.
Regular Cleaning Routine
- Vacuum regularly, especially in high traffic areas: Frequent vacuuming removes dirt and grit that can wear down carpet fibers.
- Regular carpet cleaning using hot water extraction method every 12 to 18 months: This method deep cleans the carpet, removing embedded dirt and allergens. It’s recommended to hire a professional cleaning service for the best results.
Immediate Spill and Stain Management
- Clean spills as soon as possible to prevent staining: Immediate action helps prevent stains from setting and becoming permanent. For spot cleaning, make sure to completely remove any detergent or solution used to avoid sticky residue.
Minor Repairs and Maintenance
- Perform minor repairs by cutting back snags or loose piles with scissors: This prevents further damage and keeps the carpet looking neat.
- For small burn spots, use curved nail scissors to cut back the burnt tips: Carefully trim the damaged fibers to restore the carpet’s appearance.

Keep Your Floors Pristine with Expert Care
Maintaining your flooring – whether it’s hardwood, porcelain, or carpet – is crucial for preserving its beauty and longevity. By following the outlined preventative and regular maintenance tips, you can ensure your floors remain in excellent condition. From using protective mats and proper cleaning products to addressing spills and performing minor repairs, each step plays a vital role in flooring care.
For any maintenance questions or support, consult with Builders Interiors. Contact us today, our experts are here to help you keep your floors looking their best for years to come.