I’m an interior pro and these five everyday habits are ruining your floors – it could be causing lasting damage
FLOORS are among the most used parts of a home, so it’s no wonder that it’s one of the things that homeowners want to look after the most.
But experts have revealed that most people don’t actually know how to maintain them properly.
In fact, they said that there are common, everyday habits that most people do that are secretly ruining their floors.
And it could even be causing irreparable damage, not to mention costly repairs.
Flooring expert Richard McKay, Managing Director at Sprung, said there are five habits we need to drop before it’s too late.
From not cleaning them properly to not choosing the right type for a room, it all impacts its longevity and quality over time.
Mopping with too much water
It’s tempting to completely soak the mop and cover as much surface area as possible to get our floors sparkling clean.
However, the experts say that this can actually damage the floors and we should be writing the mop out as much as possible.
Richard explains: “You might think that a bucket of water and mop seems like the easiest way to clean your floors but you could be doing more harm than good.
“Laminate, hardwood and vinyl flooring can all be damaged with too much water, which can cause swelling, warping and even mould growth.
“Foam and rubber flooring commonly used in home gyms are also at risk as the material can break down when exposed to water.
“Instead, use a damp mop with a suitable cleaner for your specific flooring.”
Using harsh cleaning products
Using the right cleaning products when scrubbing your floor is key to looking after it, says Richard.
He advises: “Many of the cleaning products on the market contain bleach or ammonia.
“While this might leave your floors clean, it also strips away any protective coatings, making your floor even more vulnerable.
“Strong cleaners can also degrade rubber and foam gym flooring, reducing its effectiveness and lifespan.
“Instead, you should opt for gentle and non-abrasive cleaners that are designed for your specific floor.”
Wearing the wrong shoes inside
Most are made to withstand outdoor conditions and should not be worn inside the house – no matter how comfy they are.
Richard suggests that homeowners should only wear shoes like slippers inside the home because they are designed not to damage floors.
He says: “High heels might be an obvious hazard to floors but your everyday shoes aren’t any better.
“This is because dirt can be brought inside which then scratches and scuffs the floor as people walk over it.
“Gym shoes with specialist treads can also wear down flooring, especially in areas where you work out.
“This is why you should keep outdoor shoes outside and choose soft-soled footwear inside, or even slippers.”
Choosing the wrong flooring
The biggest mistake that homeowners make is not choosing a specific floor that is suitable for the room, according to Richard.
The expert explains: “One of the biggest mistakes people make is choosing the wrong flooring for their space.
“For example, thin laminate flooring in high-traffic areas will quickly wear out.
“And standard home gym mats in weightlifting or HIIT workout areas won’t provide enough support or impact absorption.
“This is why it’s essential to get in touch with an expert who can help you find the right flooring for your home.”
MORE HARM THAN GOOD
THERE are also other cleaning mistakes you could be making when scrubbing your floors.
As well as these everyday habits, there are four other things you could be doing wrong when cleaning the floors, according to Liam Cleverdon from Flooring King.
These are:
- Forgetting to vacuum before mopping – “While this may not seem like a big deal, it can quickly exacerbate dirty floors, causing dirt and dust to be smudged across the floor, impacting the room’s aesthetic and posing a health risk.”
- Disregarding spillages – “Depending on the liquid, leaving a spillage for too long can prove incredibly problematic, risking compromising the look of the floor”.
- Air-Drying Floors – “While it’s definitely the easiest method for drying mopped floors, it’s better to set time aside to dry surfaces with microfibre cloths”.
- Scrubbing too hard – “Scrubbing floors too hard can remove protective coatings while leaving visible scratch marks, adding to the visual mess.”
Dragging heavy furniture around
While this one may seem obvious, many homeowners don’t realise just how much damage dragging heavy furniture around can do to your floor.
Richard says: “Moving heavy items around a room can cause significant damage to your floor as well as scratches, dents and scuffs.
“What’s more, these can sometimes be impossible to repair.
“Similarly, high-impact exercise on unprotected floors can also cause long-term damage.
“For best results, you should use floor protectors under furniture and gym equipment, and always lift instead of pushing or dragging items.”