Natural Floor Cleaning for Almost Any Situation

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Whether it is in your home or place of work, floors need to be kept clean at all times. When neglected, they become breeding grounds for bacteria, germs and disease causing pathogens.

According to a recent study and infographic report published at www.valecarpetcleaning.co.uk, biopollutants such as mites, cockroaches, bacteria and fungi account for 500,000 to 1 million hospital visits each year in the UK. For people using conventional cleaning products, this could be part of the problem as well.

Chemical cleaners leave residues of caustic substances, petroleum-based polymers and other pollutants after cleaning floors. These toxins not only harm the environment, they can cause respiratory infections, asthma attacks and many other illnesses. If you have crawling toddlers or pets in your home, they are the most vulnerable to the effects toxic floor cleaners.

To avoid compromising your health and that of your loved ones, you may want to consider using natural floor cleaning products that contain safe plant-based and other organic ingredients. However, keep in mind that floor care is not always the same. You need to know what type of floor you are dealing with in order to avoid using cleaning solutions that will leave stains or cause damage. With that in mind, here are a few natural cleaning tips for some of the most common types of floors.

Wood Floors

Water can damage hardwoods so don’t use it on these types of floors. The key to cleaning hardwood floors is to use a damp (barely wet) mop. Simply wet the mop and squeeze out as much water as possible, and then go over the floor twice to dissolve dirt. Wring the mop thoroughly for the final rinse. You can also attach a towel to a clamp mop handle and buff the floor dry.

For a natural wash, mix warm water with non-toxic, mild dishwashing detergent and damp mop your wooden floor. To get rid of scuff marks, try sprinkling baking soda before using a sponge to rub them off. Avoid using low pH (acidic) solvents like vinegar since they make the glossy finish on wood to fade.

Carpeted Floors

If you don’t want to use harsh chemicals to clean your rugged floors, a few natural cleaning solutions can come in handy.

Getting Rid of Odors

You can sprinkle cornstarch or baking soda on your carpet to get rid of odors. Let your chosen organic odor remover sit on the carpet overnight and then vacuum it the next day.

Getting Rid of Dirt

To remove dirt on carpets, always use a natural shampoo or absorbent cleaner. Green shampoo cleaners create foam, which is then left to dry on the carpet. After the foam binds with dirt, vacuum the carpet to pick up the mixture.

With organic absorbent cleaners, you have to scrub the carpet with a brush to push the solvent into the carpet fibers. Allow the absorbent detergent to settle in for some time so that it can loosen soil particles, and then vacuum your carpet.

Getting Rid of Spill Stains

In case of spills, you can make a mixture of vinegar and lavender essential oil to remove stains left on your carpet. Sprinkle the mixture on the stained area and allow it to sit for five minutes. Never scrub a carpet as this can ruin the fibers or cause spills to soak into unstained areas. After the mixture “bloats”, sponge the area to remove the stain.

When to Call a Professional Carpet Cleaner

Do note that some homemade recipes may not work well for all types of carpet stains, and can potentially leave blotches. If you’re worried about ruining your expensive carpet, call a professional carpet cleaner like Carpet Cleaners Las Vegas who are adept at hot water extraction to help you deal with tough stains.

Hot water extraction is one of the most effective carpet cleaning techniques. This process is considered a green cleaning method because it involves the use of high-pressure steam to dislodge dirt embedded deep within carpet fibers. Professional carpet cleaners can perform hot water extraction at a fraction of what it costs to purchase your own equipment for this cleaning method.

Veronica Davis