There is likely to be more than one type of flooring in your home, from ceramic tile in the bathrooms, to laminate in the kitchen, to carpeting in the bedrooms, to hardwood in the living room and beyond.

Each flooring type carries its own specific dos and don'ts, but the most important thing when it comes to any type of floor is to get the job done without discoloring or damaging it.

When you walk across a dirty carpet, you grind the sharp dirt particles against the yarn, making tiny nicks in the fibers. This wears down the sheen and makes high-traffic areas appear duller than the rest of the carpet. Over time, this wears away the fibers, which mats them down and makes them stain more easily. Regular vacuuming provides the first line of defense against dirt, but carpets will also need to be spot cleaned any time a spill happens and regularly deep cleaned to keep them looking their best.

Dirt and debris can act as abrasives and scratch finishes, leaving hard flooring susceptible to damage. Sweep the floor regularly and vacuum carefully at least once a week. When it comes to deep cleaning, avoid using harsh or abrasive cleaning products and be sure that the mop you're using is only lightly dampened. A mop that is too wet could degrade the floor's finish, dull the surface and encourage mold growth.

Instead of hoarding half a dozen different floor cleaning products under your kitchen sink, Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner can tackle your toughest floor messes and stains in every room of the house. It safely and quickly cleans up spills, removes scuff marks and tackles dirty areas on both carpet and hard flooring. The cleaner and degreaser will not discolor or degrade the finish of your flooring like bleach, vinegar and other chemicals.

Carpet

• • Spot Cleaning
  • 1. Clear any liquid from the carpet first.
    2. Dampen the stain with clean water, and spray a solution of 1 oz. Simple Green and 1 cup water onto it. Do not over-saturate.
    3. Let it soak a few minutes before gently rubbing with a clean, damp cloth or towel.
    4. Allow to dry.

   

  • Carpet Cleaning Machine
  • 1. Mix 4 oz. Simple Green per ½ gallon of water.
    2. Apply the solution to the carpet in sections and agitate by gently scrubbing with a soft brush.
    3. Use carpet cleaner and clean water to extract.
    4. Allow the area to dry.
    5. DON'T allow your Simple Green solution to dry onto carpet or upholstered surfaces.

Hardwood Floors

1. Sweep the floor first. Mix 1 oz. of Simple Green with 4 cups of water and lightly mist the solution onto the floor in sections.
2. Use a damp microfiber mop to spread the solution.
3. Dry each section with a dry cloth after cleaning.
4. DON'T over-wet the surface or let liquid pool.
5. DON'T use a DIY water and vinegar solution. Vinegar can break down your floor's finish.

Laminate Floors

1. Sweep, dry mop or vacuum the floor first.
2. Mix 1 oz. of Simple Green with 4 cups of water in an empty spray bottle.
3. Lightly mist the solution onto your floor in sections. Use a damp microfiber mop to spread the solution.
4. Dry each section with a dry cloth.
5. DON'T over-wet the surface or let liquid pool.