Keeping a building’s floors spick and span helps prevent infections and illness in its occupants. Proper cleaning procedures with sanitizers and disinfectants specified for each flooring type is crucial.
For example, hardwood or bamboo floors need to be swept more 매트리스청소업체 frequently and mopped with extreme care. They are softer and more prone to scratching than traditional carpets.
1. Vacuum
Vacuuming is one of the simplest chores on the cleaning to-do list, but getting a truly clean floor takes practice. Experts recommend making this chore a regular part of your weekly routine, especially in rooms with carpet or area rugs. Regular vacuuming can keep dander, pet hair and food particles from accumulating on the floors where they can cause respiratory problems for people with allergies or sensitivities, wear down rugs and carpets prematurely and contribute to the growth of mold, mildew and bacteria in your home.
Start by dusting before you vacuum, so that any dirt and debris that has fallen to the floor can be sucked up with the machine. Then, choose a vacuum that is suitable for your flooring type. If you have hardwood floors, for instance, choose a model that does not use a rotating brush bar, which can scratch the polyurethane coating of your wood floors. When you begin to vacuum, work slowly. Moving too quickly can cause your vacuum to miss dirt and dust that is in between the fibers of a rug or the underside of a hard floor. Once you’ve worked your way across the room, turn the vacuum around and repeat in the opposite direction to catch any missed dirt and dust.
When it comes to vacuuming, most cleaning professionals agree that a once-a-week baseline is the minimum for any home. If you have pets, however, Mock recommends pulling out the vacuum on a daily basis to keep fur, hair and dander under control.
2. Sweep
Every time someone enters and exits your home, mud, dust, dirt and other debris are being tracked in. When left unchecked, these contaminants can aggravate allergies and make people sick. This means that sweeping on a regular basis is key.
Sweeping can be done with a simple broom or even a vacuum cleaner attachment that is specifically made for hard floors. Sweeping up solid debris on a daily basis keeps it from building up and causing permanent damage to your flooring over time.
If you have high traffic areas that get dirty much faster than others, like hallways or living rooms, then sweeping more frequently is the best way to keep them clean. You can also reduce the amount of dirt in your home by placing doormats at entranceways and asking family members to take their shoes off upon entering.
When it comes to mopping, you will need to find the right balance between how often you do it and the condition of your floors. If you have bamboo floors, for instance, it is best to avoid oversaturating them with cleaning solutions or they can become dull and damaged. To help prevent this, it is essential to follow the recommended dilution ratios of your chosen floor cleaner. It’s also important to read the label of any chemicals you use to ensure they will not harm your specific flooring type.
3. Mop
Mopping gets rid of the dirt and grime that sweeps and vacuuming missed. It also removes liquids such as water, coffee and tea that may have spilled on the floor.
When mopping, use a cleaning product that is safe for your flooring type. Avoid using too much soap as it can leave a sticky residue that traps more soil. If you have hardwood floors, consider a natural or pH-neutral cleaning product as acidic cleaners can damage the finish over time.
To prevent floor streaks, dry the mopped area by opening a window or door to allow air to circulate. Be sure to move all furniture and clear the area so people know not to walk on the floors while they’re drying.
Before mopping, wring out the mop thoroughly (if your cleaning solution has a rinse agent, this step is not necessary). This ensures that all the cleaning solution is removed, lowering the risk of tracking it back onto the floors. If your mop has a scrubber, pre-wash it before using it on any stuck-on soils to avoid scratching the floors.
Wet the floor by pouring the cleaning solution over it (don’t flood it). When the floor is wet, start at one end of the room and work toward the exit. Then, make two passes over the area: once to wet and spread the solution and again to lift soils. If you have a traditional string or strip mop, rotate the mop often to avoid redepositing soil on the floor.
4. Rinse
A fresh rinse is crucial to ensuring that your floor gets as clean as possible. Aside from removing soap residue, it also prevents the re-distribution of viruses in the room (as recent studies show). The best way to rinse is with clean water in a separate bucket from your soap bucket.
When rinsing, be sure to get all of the nooks and crannies — especially the corners. This is where dirt likes to hide.
Once you’ve rinsed, don’t forget to refill your soap bucket and start again with a fresh solution. Remember, the more frequently you clean your floors (especially in high-traffic areas), the less often they will need a deep clean.
Lastly, be sure to test any cleaning products on a small section of your floor before using. This will ensure that they are safe and appropriate for your floor type, and can save you the time and expense of buying a cleaning product that doesn’t work.
The amount of dirt tracked into your home depends on a number of factors, including how many people live in your household and whether you have pets. However, it’s generally a good idea to sweep and mop entrances regularly to minimise the spread of germs. Keeping up with this routine can help you cut down on sick days and keep your home healthier for longer.