Cleaning with hydrogen peroxide - also referred to as H2O2 - is one of the easiest ways to make sure that you provide a safer, cleaner space, with lower bacteria levels, but without the risk of the toxicity that is sometimes associated with cleaners. By cleaning with hydrogen peroxide, you not only protect the health of your employees and the other building users, but you also help to reduce the damage that is done to the environment.

The cleaning industry in America is taking an important turn towards providing effective, safe cleaning that also remains environmentally friendly. It has been predicted by such experts as the president of EnvirOx, that environmentally friendly products will comprise the majority of cleaning products within 10 years time. Though not to the point of exclusivity, this will mean that cleaning with hydrogen peroxide will comprise a substantial part of this movement.

Today’s ideal choices for cleaning involve using oxygen cleaners, which are formulations of hydrogen peroxide and a type of solvent, which may include something natural - for example, citrus or d-limonene (the major component of the oil extracted from citrus rind) or another type of degreasing surfactant.

Using hydrogen peroxide products are considered the elite option for cleaning because of their ability to effectively and successfully break down a stain from the molecular level. However, unlike toxic cleaners, oxygen cleaners are more environmentally desirable because when the hydrogen peroxide dissipates, the results are simple water and oxygen; neither of which has a negative impact on the environment.

This also means that another plus that you will experience when cleaning with hydrogen peroxide is that it works extremely well for cleaning and sanitizing countertops, and other surfaces that may be used for the preparation of food. This includes cutting boards made of woods and plastics.

Oxygen cleaners are readily available in pre-diluted formulas which are ready to use as multipurpose, multi-surface cleaners, as well as degreasers and stain removers. Moreover, concentrates are available for other lighter and heavier functions.

Cleaning with hydrogen peroxide works best on stains that are protein-based, on carpets, grouting, and on laundry, and work very well as deodorizers. However, petroleum-based stains, such as gum and oils still present a challenge for oxygen cleaners. Also, depending on the pH level of the cleaner, it may not work on hard floors, since it could damage the sealant of the surface.

We recommend products such as those by Core Products Co, which provide spotters, pre-conditioners, and specialty products with a base of hydrogen peroxide. This allows you to experience a high quality, effective product that also provides the important benefit of safer formulas for your employees, the other building users, and the environment, due to the low toxicity of hydrogen peroxide.

Steve Hanson is co-founding member of The Janitorial Store (TM), an online community for owners and managers of cleaning companies who want to build a more profitable and successful cleaning business. Sign up for Trash Talk: Tip of the Week at http://www.TheJanitorialStore.com and receive a Free Gift!

How Do You Pronounce That?

Do you know how to pronounce the ingredients on the cleaning products? Do you know what they mean? Do you know that those ingredients can be dangerous or even toxic? I’m here to explain and give examples of these items.

When you enter any store, can you smell the cleaning aisle aisles away? Those products are sealed yet they still emit all the chemicals into the air through the plastic. Now let’s look at our homes.

There is a meter that measures the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in our homes. Average home has 50 ppb. Here are some examples of products that make the meter jump:

Pledge has 273 ppb (parts per billion), ingredients such as silicones, butane gas and propane are found in this product. Yet if you look at the ingredients, you won’t find any on the can. There are no ingredients listed. Companies are not required to list any ingredients.
Johnson and Johnson baby bathing products have an ingredient called Quanterium-15, which is a form of formaldehyde when water is added. Funeral homes use ½ the embalming fluid (formaldehyde) they did years ago. It takes a body longer to decompose due to the high levels of formaldehyde.

Clorox wipes come with more than 1,000 ppb. Ingredients dimethyl benzyl ammonia chloride .145% and dimethyl ethyl benzyl ammonia chloride are more pesticides, more danger and chemicals.

Lysol disinfecting spray has around 1,200 parts per MILLION not billion or 1,000 times higher then the Clorox wipes.

Lysol anti-bacterial action spray contains 79% enthanol, not just any ethanol but denatured ethanol. Also, ingredient alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride which is a pesticide. Doesn’t the commercial suggest spraying this around our children and their toys that they place in their mouths?

Here are some of the ingredient names that are dangerous: parabens (butyl-, ethyl-, methyl-, propylparaben), sodium laurel sulfate (SLS), sodium fluoride, propylene glycol, padimente-O, octyl-methoxycinnamate, D&C colors, FD&C colors, formaldehyde (embalming fluid) or fragrance, just to name a few. You can go to http://www.scorecard.org/health-effects/ and see a list of ingredients. It prints 19 pages of ingredients that cause cancer aka carcinogens.

After injuries, cancer is now the leading cause of death in children between the ages of 5 and 9. Wow, that is terrible. Especially since most can be avoided.

Childhood asthma has jumped by 400%. Why so high and so fast? It’s the air we breathe. We take over 24,000 breathes a day. Wouldn’t you want those breathes to be clean? I know I would and it all starts in the home.

It’s bad enough the food we eat is over processed and vegetables are filled with pesticides that now after many years of consistent use of cleaning products we have a higher risk of cancer and chronic illnesses. I watched a t.v. show about the benefits of seaweed. He said that the government is not looking to cure any disease or illness. They are looking to make these chronic illnesses treated by drugs.

So here we are again. If you have been lucky enough to make it to an older age, you will now pay an enormous amount of money for your chronic illnesses, when you should be enjoying the fruits of your labor from working a job so many years. Instead you are on a fixed income because your prescriptions are taking most of your income. I see this in the pharmacy all the time. It’s not uncommon for an elderly person to pay $400.00 for a month’s prescriptions.

It’s amazing. We’ve come so far but yet we haven’t. We have information at our fingertips with the internet. Yet we fail to act on that information. Everyday on the news they tell us what to eat and what not to eat. They are trying to help us live healthier lives. Eating right and exercising is just the beginning. We need to rid our bodies of the free radicals that break down our systems. Free radicals are things that enter our bodies by ingestion or absorbing through our skin into our bloodstreams that breakdown our cells. By breaking down the good cells, we have less good ones to fight off disease and illnesses.

Chances are after reading this you are even more concerned then you were before about the products you bring in your home. What can you do? You could make your own products or you can find a company that has done the research, done the tests and have actual environmentally safer household products that are less expensive then store brands.
Just make sure you can pronounce the words and you know what they can do before you use them. Check ingredients on products saying Natural or Sensitive, you might be surprised.

Email me at alanni9799@comcast.net or go to http://www.wahw.infinitepossibilitiesteam.com and request more information. You can do a google search and read my other articles.

Watkins New Generation Laundry Detergent
I’m not as impressed with the New Generation Laundry Detergent. However, I may try the other two Detergents offered by Watkins in the near future and will report back with my results.

Soy Blends Toilet Scrub
This toilet scrub is actually made with soy and other all natural ingredients. Yes, at first I was not convinced that SOY could clean my toilet. However, once I tried it, I loved it. I normally have a hard time breathing when cleaning the bathroom (because of my asthma). But, with this product, I could only slightly smell peppermint (which was more than bearable for my lungs. The cleanser works well to clean visible marks off the toilet and any buildup.

I’ve been very happy with this product — especially knowing I am helping the environment and my own health at the same time.

In many cases it works out extremely well, but we all know someone who has a horror story to tell. Before you jump in with both feet and hand over the key to your house to someone you have never met before, consider the points below:

1. Who is she/he? Can they provide proof of identity i.e. passport or other photographic identity?

2. Where does she/he live? Can they provide proof of address, i.e. recent utility bills?

3. Who have they worked for previously? Can you speak to previous employers?

4. How long did they work in their previous position and why did they leave?

5. Can they be reliable? What other commitments do they have? Some cleaners have been known to take on more work than they can physically cope with. As a result the work becomes very shoddy or they give up after few weeks with exhaustion.

6. Are they fit and in good health? If they have difficulty bending or other restricted movements, they are unlikely to be able to do the job as efficiently as you would like.

7. Do they have other work? i.e. if your cleaner is moonlighting you could find yourself liable for tax and National Insurance in the UK.

8. Do they understand about basic hygiene? Don’t take it for granted – believe it or not there are still cleaners around who think that one cloth is all that is needed to clean the entire house. Make sure they know which cloths you use in specific areas. It is helpful to use different colours to avoid confusion.

9. Are they insured for any damage that may be caused to your possessions or property? If so, what are the limitations of the insurance?

10. If you are providing the equipment and materials, you may be liable for any injuries to the cleaner arising from faulty equipment. Check your insurance to ensure you have cover.

If it all seems rather daunting, you could contact a local cleaning company. Some are happy to take on domestic work. There are also a growing number of domestic cleaning agencies whose job it is to take care of the above points and to ensure that the person coming to your home is fit and proper to do the job. This could be well worth the extra couple of pounds per hour to put your mind at rest. However, do ask them how they vet their cleaners and what procedures they have to put things right should a disaster occur. Also find out how long they have been in business. If they’ve been around a long time they are likely to be fairly professional. It’s relatively easy to set up a cleaning company or agency, but those that cannot provide a good reliable service do not usually last more than a couple of years.

One thing is for sure, however you go about taking on a cleaner, how it all works out in practice does depend a great deal on whether the two parties can rub along together with mutual respect. If the cleaner can look forward to coming to your house to work, and you like having them there, it makes a tremendous difference all round.

It’s a good idea to agree a trial period of three to four weeks and have a short review session so that both parties can speak frankly about how it’s working out. With a little bit of thought and consideration on both sides it can be a truly rewarding experience.

About the Author: Anita Herniman has run a domestic cleaning agency in the west of England for the past 12 years (http://www.selclene.co.uk) and during that time has placed literally hundreds of cleaners in private households. Recently, in response to demand, a new company has been set up to cater for irregular and once-off work (http://www.rainbowcleaners.co.uk)

It seems to me that to a lot of women the hardest part about cleaning their house is finding the time to do it. We all have busy lives, but that is no excuse for having a dirty house. By establishing household guidelines and sticking to a daily routine, you can control the upkeep of your home. The key is to keep on top of things on a daily basis so that your job of cleaning the house does not have to be one of those things that takes on a life of its own. Some household chores need to be done every day, others once a week, some once a year. By knowing what needs to be done and when, you’ve won half the battle.

Make lists for yourself of the chores that need to be done in your home on a daily, weekly and yearly basis. Check off chores as they are done. Write the date each yearly chore is completed so you know how long you have until it needs to be done again. Make each member of your household accountable to the upkeep of the house - no matter how big and cranky or how little and sweet they are. No one in your house is too young or too old to pitch in! Make keeping your house clean on a daily basis a priority in your home and make housekeeping easier on yourself!

Daily Household Chores

There are things that really should be cleaned every day in your home if you want to maintain a clean house. You probably already do many of them.

1. My Grandmother used to say, “There is a place for everything and everything should be in its place.” Picking up in every room in your home and putting things away is the number one key to keeping a clean house. Establish a new rule in your home that if you take something into a room with you, it must leave the room when you do and be put back where it belongs. Have trouble getting your kids to take the new rule seriously? If your son leaves his hand-held game system on the couch and goes outside to play, he loses it for twenty four hours. Once this happens to a few of his beloved toys a few times, he’ll think twice about not putting things away when he’s done with them.

2. Make the beds. A neatly made bed makes even the most unorganized bedroom look somewhat together. I can’t leave my house unless the beds are made. I have a friend who never, ever makes her bed. “Why should I go through all that trouble? I’m only going to get right back in it in a few hours.” It’s something that I will never be able to comprehend.

3. Do the dishes. You’ve heard the saying, “Never go to bed angry.” You can go to bed angry five nights in a row if you like, but never go to bed with a sink full of dirty dishes. If you have a dishwasher, fabulous! All you have to do is stick the dirty dishes in it. Even if you’re tired, wash the dishes. I’d rather have 10 or 15 minutes less sleep than wake up to a kitchen with dirty dishes.

4. Sort your mail. Throw away junk and file bills. Don’t let it pile up, do it daily.

5. Take out the trash. No doubt about it, this needs to be done as soon as the trash reaches the top - which in our house is usually every day.

6. Spray kitchen counters with an all purpose cleaner and wipe down with a damp rag. This should be done before and after you cook, and as you go along.

7. Wipe down your bathroom. The sink and shower should be rinsed out after each use. The toilet seat and lid should be wiped once a day. The new disposable cleaning wipes, like Clorox makes, are perfect for this.

8. Sweep and vacuum floors. Technically you should sweep and vacuum every day. I do it as needed in my home, usually every other day. You may be able to get away with only vacuuming the bedrooms in your house once a week, but high traffic areas like hallways and the living room should be done more often. Personally, I love my Swiffer !

9. If laundry is an issue in your home (as in there’s always a ton of it), make a promise to yourself to do at least one load a day.

Weekly Household Chores

Most cleaning jobs need to be done at least once a week. You can’t go two weeks or a month without doing certain jobs or you will lose control over your house.

1. Every carpeted room in your home should be vacuumed at least once a week if not more often. Regular vacuuming enhances the live of your carpet. Without weekly vacuuming, dirt and grit will build up in your carpets and act like scissors, wearing down and cutting the carpet fibers. Use door mats and throw rugs at every entrance to your home to trap dirt and keep it from getting tracked around your house.

2. Sweep and mop kitchen and bathroom floors. Dry mop, then damp mop hardwood floors.

3. Dust all furniture. Use a damp rag and wipe down everything. I’m not a big fan of furniture polish, I find that it just leaves a lemon-scented greasy film on my furniture and isn’t worth the time or money.

4. Clean glass doors and mirrors, especially bathroom mirrors which are used the most.

5. Empty waste paper baskets in bedrooms and family rooms. Empty bathroom trash can. It makes the most sense to empty all of these into the kitchen trash can before it gets completely full and then take the whole bag outside.

6. Change bedclothes. Beds should be completely stripped down once a week and bed linens should be washed. If you don’t have the time to wash all the comforters and blankets in one shot, rotate who’s bedclothes get washed when, wash two one week and then the other two the following week. At the very least, pillow cases and sheets should be changed and washed once a week.

7. I like to do all my ironing at one shot once a week. Don’t make it such a chore, watch a movie or talk on the phone while you iron.

8. While you’re going around cleaning your home, don’t forget to water those plants!

Annual Household Chores

Certain household chores only really need to be done once a year. And it’s a good thing too because they are huge jobs that no one looks forward to. At least once they’re done and over with, you know you shouldn’t have to worry about it for another year.

1. All the windows in your home should be washed inside and out once a year. I usually have it done in early spring. Notice I said “have it done”, because I pay someone to do it. It’s one of those things that I find is definitely worth the money.

2. Once the windows are clean, take down all the curtains and drapes and wash, dry, iron and re-hang them. It’s easier if you do it room by room over a period of a week.

3. Blinds and shades also need to be washed once a year. If they are dusted regularly it makes it a lot easier in the end. Dust shades with a paint brush, using hard, quick strokes. Then rub out any marks with a pencil eraser. I bought a hand- tool that was supposed to be for cleaning blinds. It was not worth the $25.00 I paid for it. Take your blinds down and lay them in your tub. Fill the tub just enough to cover the blinds, add a half cup of ammonia to the water and let it get sudsy. Soak them for half an hour, rinse in shower and hang over tub to dry. It’s hard work, but it’s the most effective way to get the job done.

4. Go through your drawers and closets and donate or throw away clothes that you don’t wear. This includes the sun dress you haven’t been able to fit into in three summers, but you don’t want to give up hope. When you lose that 20 pounds, reward yourself with a new dress!

5. Vacuum radiators, vents, heat ducts and air conditioners. Make sure your air filters have been changed recently.

6. Shampoo carpets. You can rent a machine fairly cheaply if you don’t want to buy one or borrow a friend’s. This is another job I like to pay to have done in my home.

7. Clean out your garage, workshop, basement, and attic - get rid of the junk and clean the funk!

8. You may want to consider hiring a cleaning service once a year to clean your home. Yes, it can get pricey - but you and your home both deserve it. It’s nice to hire professionals to come in and do your big, thorough spring cleaning - including vacuuming under beds and cleaning out cabinets. How about hiring a service before the holidays to clean?

Nicole Dean is the owner of www.freequickrecipes.com and www.romanceyourhusband.com

The first trick is to invest in a good squeegee. They aren’t expensive and they are worth every cent! Those $1.99 ones just will not do. A professional squeegee has a very soft, rubber blade with no imperfections in it. You can also get extra rubber blades and simply replace those when they wears out. There are probably many sources to get one, but a source I like is The Clean Team. http://www.TheCleanTeam.com.

Secondly, do your windows on a cool, or cloudy day. If you have to do it in the sun, do it in the morning. What you want to avoid here is heat. Heat works against you.

Get a bucket of lukewarm water (not hot), and add 2-3 tablespoons of plain ammonia. Use a sponge that has a white scrubber on the other side. Wet your window with the sponge side, then flip to the white scrub pad side, and scrub the window. You’ll be able to “feel” when it’s clean. You’ll feel rough patches, etc when it’s still not clean. This is a step most people fail at, if the window simply isn’t clean, it’s going to look cloudy when done. Scrub well.

You’ll also need lots of clean, white cotton rags towels/cleaning cloths. Diapers work great here. Dry by hand a 1-inch strip at the top of the window. The trick for no streaks with the squeegee is placing the dry rubber blade on a dry window.

Take the squeegee now and place it at the top of the window in that 1-inch dry strip. Pull down smoothly. Dry your squeegee blade with between each sweep. Finish window, if need be do one last sweep left to right at the bottom of the window.

Take a dry, clean cloth and run with your finger down each window side and across the bottom to clean and dry the edges. They should look perfect! And you’ll feel great having clean windows.

About the Author: By Valerie Garner-Mother, grandmother and candlemaker / owner of Joyful Designs in Soy. She loves to write on a variety of topics with a warm, and engaging style. http://www.joyfuldesignsinsoy.com

Why Microfiber Sofas Are Becoming so Popular

Microfiber sofas are becoming popular because they offer easy maintenance. Increasingly, homes are incorporating microfiber sofas into their decoration schemes. Microfiber is the tiniest man made fiber possible with today’s technology. It is one hundred times finer than a human hair. It is very popular because fabrics produced from microfiber are soft, lightweight, and easy to care for. Additionally, the fibers leave no lint or dust, so they are highly recommended for allergy sufferers. These fibers are used to create clothing, cleaning cloths, polishing cloths, and all types of furniture including headboards, chairs, and sofas. Cleaning a microfiber sofa should not be a difficult process.

Microfiber, by its very nature, is stain resistant. As a result, stain products like Scotch Guard or other fabric protection materials are usually unnecessary with this type of sofa. Some furniture retail outlets offer protection plans that will help with stain resistance, so if that is one of your big concerns, contact your retailer to see if a protection plan is right for you.

For general cleaning, though, a drop or two of mild detergent, like dish soap or laundry detergent, combined with a bit of water should clean your microfiber sofa in no time. Odors like urine can be easily eliminated by blotting the stain with white vinegar and distilled water, applying baking soda, then vacuuming. For the most part, cleaning will be an easy process if it is true microfiber. Imposter materials, though, may be more difficult to clean.

The majority of microfiber sofas use polyester as the base fabric because it has the ability to absorb color better than other materials. As a result of this chemical process, the color is forced to stay in the fiber, and no other treatments will ever be necessary. It may be necessary to occasionally have your microfiber sofa steam cleaned. It is fairly safe, but a professional cleaning service might not only do the best cleaning job, but also do the best job of protecting your microfiber sofa. Finally, to clean lint from your sofa, a simple lint roller (the kind that is sticky) should be the best option. Vacuuming might help in some cases as well.

Adam Peters writes regularly for http://www.home-decorating-reviews.com. An online guide on home decorating and how to choose from hundreds of decorating ideas and tips. Peters contributes adding reviews very often on wide decorating and design topics. You can also reach interesting articles on the latest trends in furniture, including microfiber sofas at http://www.home-decorating-reviews.com/microfiber-sofa.html

Properly installed granite countertops should last a lifetime, one justification for the higher costs associated with the material and installation. The granite suppler should provide personalized instructions for care with each slab, since all granite is made up of many different minerals. Even if two different stone slabs come from the same part of the world, there will be variances in the granite that require different kinds of attention.

Proper care ensures the longevity and beauty expected from this premium product. In addition to the polished finish, it’s possible to get a “honed” or flat finish. Although a honed finish can be very attractive, it is not recommended for kitchen use. Over time, everyday use will tend to lend a polish to some areas, and the additional necessary sealers will distract from the beauty of the surface. A polished finish is easiest to maintain with regular care that includes proper cleaning and the use of sealers to prevent staining.

Care for a polished finish begins with daily attention to what is placed on the surface. Granite countertops are hard and can withstand a falling can of soup, but the polished surface is a bit more delicate. Never use the granite as a cutting surface, always use a cutting board. Avoid allowing acidic foods such as lemon juice, vinegar and soft drinks to be left on the surface for any amount of time, as they can etch the surface. Another thing that removes the polished shine are harsh cleaning products or abrasive cleansers (liquid or powder). To clean the surface without leaving streaks, use only a small amount of warm water with a ph balanced dishwashing liquid.

Although granite is extremely hard, some of the minerals in it may be very soft. The existence of different minerals is what makes the granite easy to scratch, be chipped or break along the grain. In order to protect the surface, it is recommended to avoid dragging pots, pans or appliances across the stone. Scooting something across the countertop that has even a grain of sugar under it will scratch the polished surface. Scratches allow stains to mar an otherwise beautiful surface.

Once a year, a penetrating sealant should be applied. Regular polishing will keep the finish gleaming. Use a penetrating sealant recommended by the supplier or the home builder. Avoid using a stone sealer that will not penetrate the stone, as it will create a cloudy surface that will have to be removed by stripping the entire countertop, using harsh solvents. Remember, the glossy shine isn’t caused by a coating on the surface, but by expert polishing using diamond polishing tools.

If there is minor damage to a granite countertop, it can be resolved by the homeowner. If a pot or pan leaves a grey or black mark on the surface, it can be polished out using fine steel wool. If a glue-like substance is stuck on the countertop, it is possible to scrape it off with a credit card or single sided razor blade. Small marks made during the removal can be polished out with a fine steel wool. If the granite is chipped or cracked, a professional should be called in to perform invisible repairs.

In addition to its strength, granite is a very beautiful stone that adds color and warmth to any kitchen. With just a little care to protect their beauty and utility, granite countertops will last a lifetime.

Granite Countertops provides detailed information on granite kitchen and tile countertops, advice on installing and cleaning granite countertops, information on price and locations to purchase discount granite counter tops, and more. Granite Countertops is the sister site of Kitchen Sinks Web.

Cleaning and Caring For Your Floor

Introduction:

Someone has rightly said that it is not enough to just own good. The beauty and the importance of owing it are only visible when the owner maintains it or rather in other words keeps it clean. Same is with floors. The maintenance of the floors is better done when you clean them in the required and the technical way.

Basic tips:

Because floors are so impenetrable, they are easy to keep clean. Most, if not all, polish will not stick to their surface area. All that is really compulsory is vacuuming, dust mopping, and maybe a damp towel at times. Most brands carry a 10 to 25 year housing warranty against staining, wearing, and fading. They are planned to look good for many years with a minimum of effort.

The action of cleaning:

While floors of some specific type are meant to stand up to wear, they keep a new look if you follow these simple behaviors:

* Vacuum or dust mop to take out loose dirt or grit.

* Damp mop using warns water; do not flood floor.

* Change water as needed to keep clean.

* Do not use polish or waxes

* Never clean with abrasives, scour powder or steel wool.

* Wipe up spills instantaneously.

* Avoid allowing any liquid to stand on your floor - together with your pets water bowl

How to fight dirt?

Dirt is the primary enemy of floors. Walking over time causes fine scratch that lead to dreariness and larger particle of sand or rocks cause visible scratch. A couple of behavior here includes:

* Glides or lessen bottom protectors under chairs and table legs to prevent possible scratching

* Floor mats and foot brushes to pick up dirt at all external doorway entrances

* Regular vacuuming and dust mopping to keep gravel off the floor.

If your scratch, you may be able to buy a touch up stick from the maker. The repair area is often invisible plus it will hold up to interchange and wear just like the rest of your floor.

In the occurrence damage is more severe (which is doubtful to happen in most homes) it is possible for a trained professional to replace a plank. Done properly, the new flat timber should be almost the same from the rest.

Spots

* Oil, paint, permanent marker, tar, rubber heel marks use a neutral cleaner on a clean brightness colored cloth or nail polish remover if needed

* Blood, fruit juice, wine, beer, soda pop, pasta sauce

Warm water and/or a impartial cleaner on a clean light colored cloth.

* Candle wax, chewing gum

First harden with ice, and then very softly scrape. Wipe with warm water on a clean light colored cloth.

Conclusion:

Let the floor shine and let not dirt make its home on the floor. So maintain it and clean it smartly.

Floor care - For a long lasting effect

We use and misuse the floor in our house in a number of different ways. Some of which are, not cleaning them regularly, rough usage and improper usage of acids and detergents. Floors need specific care, and not many people are aware of how to do it. But there are a number of floor care techniques that can be followed for a healthy, long lasting and durable floor under your feet. You should be very careful while making a choice of how to clean your floor by being material specific. For instance - if you have marble flooring, the care measures will be completely different, than those of a mosaic floor. Also if you are not too much into house keeping, it is recommended that you choose a material that requires minimal care and maintenance.

Floor care tips -

Following are some floor care tips according to flooring materials that are used for flooring -

1. Cleaning Hardwood Floors - All you have to do is protect your hard wood from direct sunlight, dents and hard cleaning detergents. Also regular dusting is very essential.

2. Marble - Marble is the most beautiful and rich looking flooring material. Marble can be blackened very quickly, if not taken care of properly. So it is important that the floor is mopped and swept daily with a lightly acidic detergent.

3. Ceramic tile - Ceramic tile care and maintenance is best done with an electric polisher or scrubber. You can also use washing soda and any low sudsing detergent with lots of water too.

4. Mosaic floor - Mosaic flooring is very hard and durable and hence very low maintenance too.

5. Vinyl - If you have vinyl flooring, you must make sure that you wipe up the spills as quickly as possible. Do not use detergents and highly abrasive scrubs, use polish once in a while.

Take all these care precautions and you will be assured of a long lasting, durable floor under your feet. If you have painted floor, make sure you give a fresh coat once in a while, as paint tends to loose color and become dull fast. Also don’t paint your floor in a light color, as stains remain stuck.

There are many floor care products in the market, for specific floor types, go by the words of your reliable friends who have had a good experience with a specific brand.

Jamie is author of other Flooring Tips located at Home Improvement Tips and Flooring Information Please stop by and sign up for our free home improvement tip news letter.