Having clean, fresh floors throughout your home is important for health and aesthetics. But over time, dirt, grime, stains and germs can build up on flooring surfaces like tile, wood, laminate and carpet, making them appear dull and dirty.
it’s possible to get all types of flooring looking spotless again with the right cleaning techniques and products.
In this comprehensive guide, we provide pro tips to help you wash different flooring properly and keep floors sparkling clean.
Learn how to effectively dry mop, and wet mop with a two-bucket system, scrub away tough spots, and maintain cleanliness between washes.
Discover which cleaning supplies, solutions and methods work best for tile, hardwood, laminate, vinyl, and carpet. With a little elbow grease and the proper techniques, you can remove stuck-on dirt, scuffs, stains, and debris from all flooring types.
Follow these tips to keep your floors fresh, sanitary, and damage-free.
How to Clean Dirty Floors: A Step-by-Step Guide
Having sparkling clean floors in your home is important not just for aesthetics but for health reasons as well.
Dirty floors can harbour germs, allergens and bacteria that can make your family sick. The good news is that with the right techniques and products, you can get your floors looking fresh and clean again.
Getting Started: Assess the Type of Flooring
The first step is to assess what type of flooring you have in each room. The technique and products you use will depend on whether you are cleaning tile floors, wood floors, carpet or other materials.
- Tile floors: Made of ceramic, porcelain or natural stone. Can be cleaned with a variety of products.
- Hardwood floors: Sensitive to moisture. Require gentler cleaning solutions.
- Laminate floors: Also sensitive to moisture. Should be cleaned with specialty laminate products.
- Carpet: Requires vacuuming and periodic deep cleaning by steam cleaning.
- Vinyl floors: Can be cleaned much like tile but avoid harsh chemicals.
Once you’ve identified your types of flooring, you can gather the appropriate supplies for cleaning each surface properly.
Supplies You’ll Need
Having the right cleaning tools and products on hand will make your cleaning day go smoother and faster. Here are some floor cleaning supplies you’ll want to have ready:
- Mops – Choose string mops for washing floors. Microfiber mops are great for damp mopping.
- Broom & dustpan – For sweeping up dirt and debris before mopping.
- Vacuum cleaner – For carpets and rugs. Make sure to use attachments to reach corners and baseboards.
- Floor cleaner – Choose a cleaning solution suitable for your floor type. For tile and vinyl, an all-purpose cleaner works well. For wood floors, use a specially formulated wood floor cleaner.
- Cleaning rags/sponges – Have some clean cloths or sponges to wipe up spills and for hand-cleaning floor edges. Microfiber cloths work great.
- Scrub brush – A stiff brush is useful for scrubbing extra-dirty areas and grout lines.
- Buckets – Use two buckets for mopping – one for wash water and one for rinse water.
- Gloves – Protect your hands from harsh cleaning chemicals. Rubber gloves work best.
Gather all your supplies in one place before you start cleaning so they’ll be handy when you need them.
Sweeping and Dry Mopping
Before washing floors, do a quick dry sweep to remove any loose dirt, dust and debris. Sweep all floor areas thoroughly – under furniture and along baseboards too.
For tile, wood, laminate and vinyl floors, follow up sweeping by dry mopping with a microfiber mop head. This will gather dust and hair not picked up by sweeping.
Vacuum carpets and rugs before steam cleaning or shampooing them. Use vacuum attachments to reach corners and edges thoroughly.
Starting on a clean surface will make mopping much quicker and more effective.
Filling Wash and Rinse Buckets
The two-bucket mopping method helps keep floors cleaner. Fill one bucket halfway with warm water and add your floor cleaner or cleaning solution. Fill the second bucket about 1/4 full with just plain warm water for rinsing.
Follow the product label for the proper dilution amount. A general rule of thumb is ?? cup of cleaner per gallon of water for lighter cleaning or 1 cup for heavier-duty cleaning.
Washing Tile, Vinyl & Laminate Floors
For tile floors, dip your mop into the wash bucket wringing it almost dry. Scrub floors using a figure-8 motion. Work in 3×3 sections.
Rinse the mop head in the rinse bucket, wring, and then continue mopping. Change rinse water frequently to prevent redepositing dirt.
For tough stains like grease, use a stiff scrub brush before mopping. You can also let the cleaner soak for 5 minutes before scrubbing with a brush.
Vinyl and laminate floors should be mopped using very little moisture since they are sensitive to water. Dip the mop in the wash bucket then wring it extremely dry before mopping.
Rinse the mop in the clear water bucket after each section. Scrub gel or paste cleaners work well on vinyl to cut through dirt.
Cleaning Hardwood Floors
Special care should be taken when cleaning hardwood floors to avoid damage to the wood.
Sweep or dry mop first. Then damp mop using a barely moist mop – wring it tightly.
Use a cleaner made specifically for wood floors. Clean only in sections and immediately wipe up any excess liquid.
For an occasional deeper clean, use a wood floor deep cleaning product. Test in an inconspicuous area first and follow product directions closely.
Never wet-mop a wood floor or use steam cleaners on wood. This can warp boards and damage the floor over time.
Cleaning Carpeted Areas
To clean carpets and area rugs, first thoroughly vacuum them using the wand attachment to reach the edges and corners. Vacuum under furniture edges too.
For periodic deep cleaning, steam clean or shampoo carpets. Rent a cleaner or hire a professional carpet cleaning service.
Spot clean stains right away using a carpet spot cleaner. Blot gently and don’t over-saturate the area.
Vacuum carpets frequently – at least weekly – to help keep them clean and extend their lifespan.
Extra Cleaning Tips for Stubborn Dirt
No matter how diligent your normal cleaning routine is, sometimes you’ll encounter extra dirty floors or stubborn stains that need extra attention. Here are some tips for tackling those problem areas:
- For grease stains, sprinkle baking soda on the stain then use a scrub brush dipped in warm vinegar. Let it foam for 2-3 minutes then wipe clean.
- Mix a paste of lemon juice + salt or baking soda to scour away hard water deposits and soap scum. Let it sit then scrub.
- Grout lines need frequent scrubbing to avoid the buildup of dirt and mildew. Use an old toothbrush and bathroom cleaner to scrub.
- Kitchen floors often get greasy. Mix 1 cup ammonia in 1 gallon of warm water and mop using a figure-8 motion to cut through the grease.
- For tough dirt and scuffs, scrub on hands and knees using a scrub brush and powdered cleaner dissolved in warm water.
- Wine and juice stains can be hard to remove. Blot immediately then sprinkle salt or baking soda to absorb the spill. Rinse with clean water.
- Pet accidents on floors create an odour and stain. Use an enzyme cleaner made for pet stains. Blot up urine then spray on cleaner.
With a bit of extra scrubbing and the right cleaning solutions, you can get those high-traffic floors looking like new again.
Maintenance Tips: Keeping Floors Cleaner Longer
Regular proper cleaning is key to maintaining sanitary floors. But you can also take some proactive steps to keep floors cleaner day-to-day:
- Place mats at all entrance doors to catch dirt and moisture from shoes. Clean mats frequently.
- Sweep, vacuum or dry mop floors daily to remove surface dirt before it’s ground in.
- Don’t wear shoes in the house to avoid tracking in dirt. Wear slippers or socks instead.
- Clean up spills right away to prevent stains and minimize damage.
- rearrange furniture periodically to clean areas that don’t get foot traffic.
- Use area rugs in high-traffic areas and under furniture legs to protect floors.
- Keep pet nails trimmed to avoid scratches and damage to floors from scratching.
- Remove shoes before entering homes with light-coloured carpeting.
With frequent cleaning and daily maintenance, you can keep your floors looking like new in between deep cleanings.
Know When to Call a Professional
Some floor cleaning projects – especially deep cleans – are best left to qualified professionals with specialized equipment. Here are some instances when you may want to hire a cleaning service:
- Annual or bi-annual deep carpet cleaning to extract embedded dirt from carpets and padding
- Hardwood floor refinishing and re-coating to remove scratches and wear
- Marble floor professional polishing to remove etches and return shine
- Deep grout cleaning for severely soiled tile grout lines
- Wax stripping and re-waxing vinyl floors
- Upholstery steam cleaning for sofas and chairs
- Window, chimney and air duct deep cleanings
For convenience and to get the best results, hire pros for big whole-house cleanings and intensive floor restorations. Then maintain the floors yourself regularly using the techniques in this guide.
can baking soda clean dirty floors?
Yes, baking soda can be used to clean dirty floors. It is a natural cleaner that is effective at removing dirt, grime, and stains. Baking soda is also gentle on floors, so it can be used on a variety of surfaces, including hardwood, tile, linoleum, and concrete.
Here is a simple way to use baking soda to clean dirty floors:
- Mix one part baking soda with two parts water to form a paste.
- Apply the paste to the floor with a mop or sponge.
- Let the paste sit for 10-15 minutes.
- Mop up the paste with clean water.
- Rinse the floor with clean water again to remove any remaining residue.
are dirty floors bad for you?
Yes, dirty floors can be bad for your health.
Dirty floors can harbour a variety of germs and bacteria, including E. coli, salmonella, and listeria. These germs can cause a number of health problems, including:
- Respiratory infections: When you inhale dust and dirt from dirty floors, you can develop respiratory problems such as asthma, bronchitis, and pneumonia.
- Stomach upset: Germs from dirty floors can contaminate food and drinks, leading to stomach upset, diarrhoea, and vomiting.
- Skin infections: Germs from dirty floors can enter the body through cuts and scrapes, causing skin infections such as impetigo and folliculitis.
- Eye infections: Germs from dirty floors can contaminate hands and then eyes, leading to eye infections such as conjunctivitis.
Does white vinegar break down dirt?
No, white vinegar does not break down dirt. It can help to loosen dirt and grime, but it does not actually break it down. This means that you will need to use other methods, such as scrubbing or using a cleaning product, to remove dirt from surfaces.
Here are some tips for removing dirt from surfaces using white vinegar:
- Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle.
- Spray the solution onto the dirty surface and let it sit for a few minutes.
- Use a sponge or cloth to scrub the surface until the dirt is removed.
- Rinse the surface with clean water.
FAQs
What is a dirty floor?
A dirty floor is a surface that has accumulated dust, dirt, grime, bacteria, and possibly allergens over time. It may also include spills and stains that have not been cleaned up.
What causes dirty floor?
Dirty floors can be caused by various factors such as foot traffic bringing in dirt and debris from outside, spills, pet hair, dust accumulation, and lack of regular cleaning.
What is the risk of dirty floor?
The risk of a dirty floor includes the potential for slips and falls, the spread of bacteria and germs, and a negative impact on indoor air quality. It can also contribute to allergies and respiratory issues due to the presence of dust and allergens.
Can dirty floors make you sick?
Yes, dirty floors can potentially make you sick. They can harbor bacteria, viruses, and allergens that can lead to illnesses, allergies, and respiratory problems.
What are the negative effects of a dirty room?
The negative effects of a dirty room include poor indoor air quality, increased risk of illnesses due to the presence of bacteria and allergens, and potential mental health effects such as increased stress and reduced productivity.
What bacteria is on dirty floor?
A dirty floor can harbor various types of bacteria, including E. coli, Staphylococcus, and Salmonella, among others.
Why should we clean floor every day?
Cleaning the floor every day helps to maintain a healthy and safe environment by removing dust, allergens, and bacteria. It also helps to improve the overall appearance and longevity of your flooring.
What happens if you never clean your floors?
If you never clean your floors, they can become a breeding ground for bacteria and germs. This can lead to poor indoor air quality, potential health risks, and damage to the flooring material over time.
What is a dirt floor called?
A dirt floor is often referred to as an “earthen floor.”
What do you use for dirty floors?
For dirty floors, use a combination of sweeping or vacuuming to remove loose dirt and debris, followed by mopping or scrubbing with a suitable floor cleaner to remove stains and disinfect the floor.
How do you stop dirty floors?
To stop dirty floors, implement regular cleaning routines, use doormats to reduce the amount of dirt brought in from outside, clean up spills immediately, and consider using floor protectors on furniture to prevent scratches and damage.
Conclusion
Clean floors are critical for a sanitary home. Following these tips to clean tile, hardwood, laminate, vinyl and carpeted flooring will help get rid of dirt and maintain floors between deep cleanings.
Sweep and dry mop before wet washing. For mopping, use the two-bucket method for better results. Clean gently on wood floors avoiding too much moisture. Use the right cleaning solutions for each floor type.
Deep clean carpets periodically with steam cleaning or carpet shampoo machines. Know when to call in the pros for intensive cleanings.
With the right techniques and regular maintenance cleaning, your floors will stay sparkling clean and free of grime, stains and damaging abrasion.
Just be sure to use the cleaning method recommended for your specific flooring material and condition. Bright, fresh floors can improve the look and cleanliness of the entire home.
