Spring Clean Season!
That time of year has arrived, where dark dreary days are giving way to sunnier climes (hopefully), and the optimism of Spring.
Spring cleaning may have emerged to mark the transition from winter to spring and new beginnings, but it also can help provide a mood boost, while a quick declutter will clean the decks.
We take a look at some of our home’s most common flooring and accessories and how best to keep them looking fresh and new.
Doing Away With Dust
Stainfree Country Linear – Berber, from £15 per m2 Abingdon Flooring
You don’t have to wait for Spring to help cut down on dusty carpets. Regular vacuuming once a week is key to keeping on top of dust and debris.
Choosing the right vacuum setting can be the difference between a successful clean or damaging your carpet. Vacuums with settings that are too weak can damage your carpet as they will only pull on and displace the fibres without cleaning them.
It’s also worth noting that you should hoover slowly, especially with deeper carpet piles. This allows the hoover to tackle deep dirt. Going too fast can damage your carpet by pulling on it too quickly. Try to go in steady, think of it like mowing a lawn and ensure that you tackle all areas of your floor. When vacuuming, try to go in slow, steady lines that are even, and slow your pace when pulling the vacuum toward your body.
Time To Shine
left Gloria Pleated Cotton Block Printed Scallop lampshade from £95 right Pleated Cotton Block Printed lampshades from £95, [email protected]
Keep your lampshades looking spick and span with a quick dust with a lint roller, soft cloth or vacuum cleaner with an upholstery attachment to remove dust.
If dust has accumulated, then a soft-bristled brush will help to loosen it. Regular cleaning retains colour brilliance while ensuring that light diffusion is even and consistent.
Style Meets Convenience
Craft Papercut collection, 9367 Curry from £175 (80 x 150cm), Louis De Poortere
Using a mono-material polyester construction that’s 100% recyclable through the Take Care Programme, Louis De Poortere’s Ecorugs collection is also machine washable. Wash the Ecorug by hand or in a machine with a maximum washing temperature of 30°C, using a gentle or moderate wash program with reduced spinning (maximum 600 rpm).
Don’t tumble dry, as higher drying temperatures can affect colours. Instead, dry the Ecorug by dripping/drying it flat or hanging it indoors to prevent sunlight from altering the colours.
Naturally Does It
Burford Collection, 809 – Natural 100% blended heather wool yarn from £93 per m2, Riviera Home UK
Even with regular vacuuming and careful removal of spots and stains, wool carpets will require periodic deep cleaning to remove dirt that regular cleaning does not remove.
How often this type of cleaning is necessary will, of course, depend on how much traffic and other uses your carpet gets. However, annual deep cleaning is recommended.
Most warranties require an annual deep clean, so consult a professional recognised by the National Carpet Cleaners Association (NCCA) or for wool carpets, a WoolSafe-approved carpet cleaner.
Hardwood Flooring Tips
left Amato, Pure Oak Extra Matt real wood floor from £59.99 per m2 middle Cala Dark Chestnut Oak Extra Matt real wood floor from £79.99 per m2 right Cala Wintry Forest Oak Extra Matt real wood floor from £82.49 per m2, Quick-Step
A little bit of regular care will keep your wooden flooring looking as beautiful as the day it was installed. Here are a few tips.
Use a microfibre cloth or a vacuum cleaner to remove dust. Disposable wipes will stain your floor and can attract more dust. Slightly moist maintenance is good – but only occasionally. Cleaning too often or using too much water is unnecessary and can even damage your floor.
Dilute one cap of cleaning solution in a 5-litre bucket of water. Soak a cloth mop in the solution and wring it out. The mop should be only slightly moist. Always drag the mop backwards using a zig-zag motion along the lengthwise direction of your flooring planks. Wipe the entire floor without lifting the mop or microfibre cloth. Spread the solution evenly over the floor, and never pour the bucket of solution on the floor. Wipe dry with a microfiber cloth until no more moisture is visible.
If your wooden flooring is oiled, regular oil treatments will keep your floor from looking dry or dull while bringing out the natural beauty of the wood grain.
LVT Flooring Tips
Moduleo Roots, Azuriet 46919 from £35.29 per m2, Moduleo
Keeping dirt off your LVT floor is easier and less expensive than removing it. Invest in a good entrance mat to help trap most dirt and dust before it is walked through your home. Like many floors, regular vacuuming is an important part of a successful maintenance program for LVT floors and will help remove all grit, debris and other solid particles.
Spills and spots are inevitable, but they don’t have to be permanent. Remove a spill quickly using Moduleo Spot Cleaner and there is less chance of permanent staining. It’s specifically formulated for your Moduleo LVT floor, ensuring it stays clean and protected.
Cushion Vinyl Perfection
Woodline, Uniwood 06 cushion vinyl from £25.99 per m2 Leoline
Like most floors, regular vacuuming helps prevent the build-up of dirt. Wiping up any spill and mishaps as they happen reduces the chance of staining. Occasional damp mopping will help to lift ingrained dirt and residues. LeoLine’s Superguard finish makes mopping easy, with no harsh chemicals needed to prolong the life of your floor.
For entranceways, consider investing in a good-quality entrance mat to help trap dirt and stop it from making its way onto your cushion vinyl floor. Clean them regularly and avoid latex and rubber, which may stain your cushion vinyl floor.
