Cleaning the floor is usually the last chore on your long cleaning and decluttering list.

You’ve dusted, polished, and tidied, and now all you have to do is get the floor clean. If only it were actually as simple as that. Not all floors need to be treated in the same way, and if you get it wrong, you can actually damage your floors. From laminate to tiles, here are the best ways to keep different floors sparkling clean. 

Wood

Sealed and wood floors from places like Millennium Hardwood Flooring only need to be swept and damp-mopped. Avoid using too much water, or the wood could swell and split. 

Unsealed and waxed floors need to be swept on a regular basis and polished occasionally. Use wax sparingly, as any excess wax will leave a tacky resident that attracts dirt. If worn patches start to appear on the wood, use a non-slip floor polish and buff well. 

If your floor is waxed, polish and dirt can build up over time.

The only way to clean this is to remove the wax and start again. Moisten a cloth with white spirit and use this. Let it sock in, and as the wax and dirt start to dissolve, wipe it away with newspaper.

Scrub any tough parts by hand, or with an abrasive pad on a floor polisher. When all of the polish has been removed, damp-mop the floor with clean water. Let it dry, and then apply new polish in small sections. 

Vinyl

Sweep vinyl floors with a soft brush or vacuum, then wipe over with a damp mop and a mild detergent. After wiping, rinse thoroughly. If you have scuff marks, dip a cloth in neat washing-up liquid or white spirit, and then rinse. 

Ceramic And Quarry Tiles

Tiles like this need minimal maintenance. Sweep and wash your floors with a mild detergent solution, then rinse with clean water. Never use a wax polish, as this will make the tiles slippery. 

You can also use a steam cleaner. These are a quick, effective way to clean sealed floors and tiles. All they need to work is water. 

Laminate

Vacuum, dust or wipe laminate floors with a lightly dampened mop. Don’t use a soap-based detergent, as these can leave behind a dull film on the laminate. You also shouldn’t over-wet the floor, or use wax polish. Polish makes the floor slippery. 

If you need to remove marks or stains, make a diluted solution of water and vinegar to clean with. Don’t be tempted to use an abrasive cleaner, like nylon scouring pads or steel wool. These will scratch laminate. 

Stubborn stains, like shoe polish, can be lifted with nail polish remover that contains acetone. Other mild solvents and even WD-40 can also do the trick. 

Protect your laminate by putting felt pads under the legs of your furniture and drip trays under plant pots. 

Terracotta Tiles

Terracotta tiles mature over the first year of installation. Most suppliers of terracotta tiles will stock a specialist cleaner, sealant and polish, so use the products that your supplier recommends.