On varnished or shellacked floors, a solvent-based liquid wax for wood works well. It removes dirt and most of the old wax (preventing wax buildup) and leaves a thin coating of new wax.
You can apply the cleaner with a soft, dry cloth attached to a long-handled wax applicator, but you would do a better job on your hands and knees. You can also use an electric polisher, changing
pads frequently. In any case, you must buff afterward with a clean cloth. Never use water-based self-polishing wax on wood floors.
On Urethane-finished floors, rub with a cloth containing a little furniture oil to give them more shine. (Read the label to make sure it doesn't contain any wax.) Be sure to use very little; too much oil will attract dirt--and turn the floor into a skating rink.
To clean stone flooring, try this low-tech method: Sprinkle damp sawdust over the floor, scrub with a stiff brush, and sweep up the sawdust with a broom and dustpan. Follow up with a vacuum.
Many kinds of stone flooring, especially marble, need a neutral pH cleaner (sold by business that sell and install stone flooring.) A mild dishwashing liquid mixed with water will also work nicely.
consult the dealer who sold you the stone for recommendations for specific cleaners if more power is needed. There are also professionals who can refinish stone floors.
To clean ceramic tile floors, a quick pass with a damp mop is often all that is needed. Indeed, cleaning ceramic tile would be a squeeze if tile were all you had to clean. It's that pesky grout between the tiles that's a problem.
When damp mopping alone isn't enough, mix one of these cleaning solutions:
Simple SOLUTIONS
Payback for a Heel >
What a cad! The heel had it way with your house and then left nasty, stubborn black marks on your floors. Try rubbing heel marks with a pencil eraser first.If that doesn't work, rub a hardwood floor with a rag dabbed in a little mineral spirits. On vinyl flooring, smear a drop of baby oil over the mark, wait a few minutes, and wipe the mark away with a rag.
You can apply the cleaner with a soft, dry cloth attached to a long-handled wax applicator, but you would do a better job on your hands and knees. You can also use an electric polisher, changing
pads frequently. In any case, you must buff afterward with a clean cloth. Never use water-based self-polishing wax on wood floors.
On Urethane-finished floors, rub with a cloth containing a little furniture oil to give them more shine. (Read the label to make sure it doesn't contain any wax.) Be sure to use very little; too much oil will attract dirt--and turn the floor into a skating rink.
To clean stone flooring, try this low-tech method: Sprinkle damp sawdust over the floor, scrub with a stiff brush, and sweep up the sawdust with a broom and dustpan. Follow up with a vacuum.
Many kinds of stone flooring, especially marble, need a neutral pH cleaner (sold by business that sell and install stone flooring.) A mild dishwashing liquid mixed with water will also work nicely.
consult the dealer who sold you the stone for recommendations for specific cleaners if more power is needed. There are also professionals who can refinish stone floors.
To clean ceramic tile floors, a quick pass with a damp mop is often all that is needed. Indeed, cleaning ceramic tile would be a squeeze if tile were all you had to clean. It's that pesky grout between the tiles that's a problem.
When damp mopping alone isn't enough, mix one of these cleaning solutions:
- 1 capful of rubbing alcohol in 1 gallon of water
- 1 tablespoon of borax and 2 tablespoons of ammonia in 1 gallon of water.
Apply the solution with a mop or an electric cleaner-polisher. Rinse well with clear water on your mop. A commercial cleaner such as Spic and Span or Mr. Clean will also do nicely.
if the grout needs special attention, mix 1/4 cup of vinegar with 1 gallon of water and scrub the grout with a tooth brush or nylon scrub pad. For heavy-duty treatment, scrub with a mixture of 1 cup of chlorine bleach in 1/2 gallon of water (wear rubber gloves). Let the solution stand for 20 minutes, mop the floor twice with clean water to rinse thoroughly, and wipe dry. To make future cleaning easier, seal the grout with a silicone sealer, which is available at home stores, hardware stores, or stores that specialize in tile.
WATCH OUT
Acids (such as vinegar) will etch marble, and strong alkaline solutions (such as washing soda or trisodium phosphate) will break down the surface and leave it rough.
To clean vinyl flooring that just needs touching up, use a damp mop. Ifthe soil require something stronger than water, mix 1 cup of white vinegar with 1 gallon of water and apply with a mop. If that doesn't do the job, try 2 tablespoons of borax in 1 gallon of warm water. In either case, apply a small amount with your mop, then rinse thoroughly by mopping with plain water.
For more shine, apply a thin coat of wax to a dry, clean floor. The one-step wax-and-clean products don't work as well as regular wax. A self-polishing wax (such as Johnson One step No Buff Wax) is easy to apply, but it will build up overtime. A solvent-based paste wax (such as Johnson Paste wax) is more work and must be buffed but-wouldn't you know it--provides superior results.
No-wax vinyl has a polyurethane finish intended to keep a shine without waxing. It will stay shiny for a long time if it is kept clean, but eventually the finish will dull. Follow the manufacturers directions for a polish or sealer to renew the shine.
If hair spray has built up on the no-wax floor in your bathroom, use shampoo to wash it off. (It works on hair, after all) Mix a squirt of shampoo in 1 gallon of warm water, mop and rinse.
if the grout needs special attention, mix 1/4 cup of vinegar with 1 gallon of water and scrub the grout with a tooth brush or nylon scrub pad. For heavy-duty treatment, scrub with a mixture of 1 cup of chlorine bleach in 1/2 gallon of water (wear rubber gloves). Let the solution stand for 20 minutes, mop the floor twice with clean water to rinse thoroughly, and wipe dry. To make future cleaning easier, seal the grout with a silicone sealer, which is available at home stores, hardware stores, or stores that specialize in tile.
WATCH OUT
Acids (such as vinegar) will etch marble, and strong alkaline solutions (such as washing soda or trisodium phosphate) will break down the surface and leave it rough.
To clean vinyl flooring that just needs touching up, use a damp mop. Ifthe soil require something stronger than water, mix 1 cup of white vinegar with 1 gallon of water and apply with a mop. If that doesn't do the job, try 2 tablespoons of borax in 1 gallon of warm water. In either case, apply a small amount with your mop, then rinse thoroughly by mopping with plain water.
For more shine, apply a thin coat of wax to a dry, clean floor. The one-step wax-and-clean products don't work as well as regular wax. A self-polishing wax (such as Johnson One step No Buff Wax) is easy to apply, but it will build up overtime. A solvent-based paste wax (such as Johnson Paste wax) is more work and must be buffed but-wouldn't you know it--provides superior results.
No-wax vinyl has a polyurethane finish intended to keep a shine without waxing. It will stay shiny for a long time if it is kept clean, but eventually the finish will dull. Follow the manufacturers directions for a polish or sealer to renew the shine.
If hair spray has built up on the no-wax floor in your bathroom, use shampoo to wash it off. (It works on hair, after all) Mix a squirt of shampoo in 1 gallon of warm water, mop and rinse.
Simple SOLUTIONS
Payback for a Heel >
To clean laminate flooring, keep in mind that, like wood, it should not be mopped by slopping lots of water around on the floor. (Laminate is the manmade flooring that comes in tongue--and-groove planks that often simulate wood.) Don't use ammonia, solvents, abrasives, general-purpose cleaners, polishes or waxes on laminate. Despite these restrictions, laminate is a breeze to clean.
Some manufacturers recommend their own special cleaner which is usually fairly expensive. Here is a less expensive version that works just as a well; 1 cup white vinegar, 1 cub rubbing alcohol (to make it dry faster). 1 cup water, and 3 drops of dishwashing liquid. Mix in a spray bottle, shake, spray it on the floor, and spread it with a mop. No rinsing is needed.
If your laminate gets scratched, you may be able to buy a touch-up stick from the manufacturer. In the event of severe damage, a professional installer may be able to replace a plank or two.
Flowerpots
Some manufacturers recommend their own special cleaner which is usually fairly expensive. Here is a less expensive version that works just as a well; 1 cup white vinegar, 1 cub rubbing alcohol (to make it dry faster). 1 cup water, and 3 drops of dishwashing liquid. Mix in a spray bottle, shake, spray it on the floor, and spread it with a mop. No rinsing is needed.
If your laminate gets scratched, you may be able to buy a touch-up stick from the manufacturer. In the event of severe damage, a professional installer may be able to replace a plank or two.
Flowerpots
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A beautiful flower in a dirty pot is like a beautiful cake on a food-encrusted plate. They don't go together.You don't clean flowerpots solely for aesthetic reasons, however, Plants and their soil may contain viruses, bacteria, fungi, or pests, which can be passed along to the next pot occupant.
Clean your flowerpots using the same method, whether they're made of plastic, glazed or unglazed clay, ceramic or other materials. Wash with liquid dishwashing detergent and water, as you would dishes. Scour with a stiff brush to remove algae and mineral deposits. Wash again with a solution of 10 parts water to 1 part chlorine bleach. Rinse with fresh water and let dry in the sunshine--a great sterilizer.
Here are some more tips on cleaning flowerpots:
A beautiful flower in a dirty pot is like a beautiful cake on a food-encrusted plate. They don't go together.You don't clean flowerpots solely for aesthetic reasons, however, Plants and their soil may contain viruses, bacteria, fungi, or pests, which can be passed along to the next pot occupant.
Clean your flowerpots using the same method, whether they're made of plastic, glazed or unglazed clay, ceramic or other materials. Wash with liquid dishwashing detergent and water, as you would dishes. Scour with a stiff brush to remove algae and mineral deposits. Wash again with a solution of 10 parts water to 1 part chlorine bleach. Rinse with fresh water and let dry in the sunshine--a great sterilizer.
Here are some more tips on cleaning flowerpots:
- If you'd prefer to avoid scrubbing, soak the pots for about an hour in a solution of 2 parts water to 1 part white vinegar. The minerals and algae should wash righ off.
- To avoid that crusty white buildup of mineral deposits around the top inner edge of the pot, take an old candle and rub it around the rim. That will seal the surface, making mineral buildup less likely.
- You might also heed the message of that white scaly stuff. It's trying to tell you that you're giving your plants too much fertilizer. Many indulgent plant parents do that, so consider cutting back. Get a good book on caring for houseplants and follow its advice.
- To keep dirt from spattering out of the flowerpot when it rains or when you water the plant, put a layer of pebbles on top of the dirt.
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