8 Flooring Maintenance Methods?

Nowadays, many households choose wooden flooring during renovation to make the entire house look more elegant and upscale. However, maintaining wooden flooring can be quite a hassle. Below, we will learn about maintenance methods for 8 types of flooring—proper maintenance will extend the service life of your flooring, so let’s dive in!
1. Maintaining Laminate Flooring
Laminate flooring available on the market may resemble hardwood or natural stone tiles, but it still needs to be cared for as laminate. One of the advantages of this type of flooring is that few things can damage it. After all, laminate planks are constructed with sun-protective and light-resistant layers to keep their appearance like new for years. What’s crucial is to prevent water from seeping under the planks.
Tips: Use a dry mop or a vacuum cleaner (set to tile mode, not carpet mode, so the beater bar is raised) to clean the floor. For deeper cleaning, use a slightly damp mop (or a wet Swiffer).
Important Note: Never polish laminate flooring. If the surface of a plank appears damaged, replace it.
2. Maintaining Cork Flooring
This natural material is porous, making it highly vulnerable to water damage. Since it absorbs water easily, most cork flooring is sealed—but you still need to be cautious during cleaning.
Regular vacuuming is necessary to prevent scratches, and cork flooring should be cleaned once a week.
Tips: Avoid commercial cleaning products. Instead, make a simple homemade solution of vinegar and soap: pour ¼ cup of vinegar into a spray bottle, add 1 drop of dish soap, and a small amount of warm water. The naturally acidic vinegar, when used with soap, breaks down dirt, reduces dust buildup, and disinfects.
Note: Do not shake the solution vigorously (this will create foam)—just gently swirl the bottle. Spray a small area at a time, then wipe it dry with a damp microfiber mop.
3. Maintaining Solid Wood Flooring
Solid wood flooring, also known as hardwood flooring, typically has one of two finishes on the market: polyurethane or wax. Unsure which one you have?
Quick Check: Rub your finger across the surface. If a stain appears, the floor is likely waxed.
Most solid wood floors have a polyurethane or polyacrylic coating, which protects them from stains and water damage.
Daily Cleaning: Mix ¼ cup of mild pH-neutral soapy water (try Seventh Generation Multi-Surface Natural Cleaner Concentrate) into a bucket of water. (Avoid acidic vinegar solutions, as they will dull the wood’s luster over time.) Use a damp mop (make sure to wring it out thoroughly), then wipe away excess moisture with a dry microfiber cloth.
Frequency: Clean high-traffic areas like the kitchen once a week; for low-traffic areas, mop once a month.
4. Maintaining Bamboo Flooring
Bamboo is sustainable, healthy, and eco-friendly. It is softer than the two types of wooden flooring mentioned above, so it is more prone to scratches if not careful—unless you have strand-woven bamboo flooring, a harder and more durable type of bamboo flooring.
Be extra vigilant when regularly sweeping away dirt, debris, and dust.
Maintenance Method: Similar to solid wood flooring—use a slightly damp mop to clean the floor, then wipe away excess moisture with a dry microfiber cloth.
5. Maintaining Linoleum Flooring
Linoleum is made from linseed oil, resin, limestone, wood fibers, and cork dust, and colored with mineral pigments. Treat this flexible natural flooring like cork.
Daily Cleaning: Mix a few drops of dish soap with hot water, spray a small area of the floor at a time, then wipe it with a damp microfiber mop. Keep the area well-ventilated to allow the floor to air-dry immediately. If it still feels slightly sticky to the touch, simply wipe the affected area with another clean, damp microfiber cloth.
6. Maintaining Vinyl Flooring
Vinyl flooring requires weekly cleaning and maintenance. It is relatively hard, and here’s how to care for it:
Regular Cleaning: Gently mix ¼ cup of vinegar with 1 drop of dish soap and warm water. Spray one section at a time, then wipe with a damp microfiber mop.
Deep Cleaning: For regular deep cleaning, use a steam cleaner (suitable for tiles and grout). Steam effectively removes stains and bacteria.
7. Maintaining Natural Stone Flooring
Even small amounts of acidic liquids can damage natural stone flooring; bleach and ammonia are also harmful.
Key Rule: Use a pH-neutral, non-chelating cleaner—this will not adversely affect the minerals in the natural stone surface.
Daily Cleaning: Only use a microfiber mop and hot water (avoid chemicals, as they can seep into the stone). For stubborn dirt, use a steam cleaner.
8. Maintaining Tile Flooring
Follow the same maintenance method as natural stone flooring.
That’s all for the flooring maintenance methods we’ve covered today—we hope this helps you!