To get the most from your new flooring, we have outlined a few simple steps, if, when followed, will ensure a longer lasting appearance, longer life expectancy of your floor, as well as maintain the manufacturers' warranty. Scroll down to the type of flooring you are interested in. Carpet Care The fibers utilized in today's carpet are designed to hide soil and reflect light. The soils that hide in carpet are not as apparent as those on a hard surface and must be cleaned with regularity. Dry soil, the type that gets into your carpet, has microscopic abrasive characteristics that can prematurely wear out a carpets fiber. Regular vacuuming can reduce the effect of this condition. Vacuum often those areas that receive the most traffic Vacuum the entire carpeted area at least twice per week Remove loose, dry soil while it remains on the surface before being worked into the carpet by foot traffic Use a vacuum that has adjustable, rotating brushes Change the vacuum cleaner bag when it becomes half full - the efficiency of the vacuum is reduced as the bag becomes more full Periodically you may see soiling around the edges of your carpet. This condition is known as Filtration Soiling, and is a result of air flow. As your air circulates through the home, the airborne dust and pollutants settle along the baseboards, under doorways and along the edge of stairs, leaving dark or graying lines. Attention to these areas while cleaning will aid in the appearance of your carpeting. Deep Cleaning or Extraction Cleaning is recommended every 12 - 18 months. There are a few things to keep in mind when using more aggressive methods to clean or maintain your carpets. The web site below will take you to The Carpet and Rug Institute. There you will find more detailed information on alternative cleaning methods for different styles of carpet or rugs. www.carpet-rug.com Ceramic Tile & Natural Stone Ceramic and Natural Stone Tile will give your home lasting beauty for years to come. Keep your floors free of dust, dirt and sand. This will help to minimize the scratches, wear patterns and grout soiling that can develop from everyday use. Remove dust, dirt and sand by vacuuming, sweeping or damp mopping. Use a neutral cleaner when mopping and use a non-abrasive cloth sponge or mop. Ceramic and Porcelain tiles are usually highly resistant to staining. Acidic substances, if not cleaned immediately, may cause etching on your flooring. These substances may include orange juice, coffee, vinegar, wine, tomato based products and mustard. You may also consider sealing your grout. This will further protect your floor from staining if any spills occur. Use felt protectors under the legs of chairs and other furniture to minimize scratching Do not use oil soaps or wax when cleaning tile Use non staining mats or Area Rugs at entry ways to help catch soils Cleaners should never contain Acids or Ammonias Laminate Flooring Laminate Flooring is very hygienic and easily maintained. The proper maintenance of your Laminate floor will give you lasting beauty for years to come. Dirt, dust and sand can be easily removed by simply sweeping, vacuuming or dry mopping. A damp mop can also be used, however, be sure to completely dry your floor to prevent slips. Use non-staining door mats or small Area Rugs to capture any dirt or soils at entry ways Never use any type of abrasive cleaners or scouring products Marks or stubborn stains can be removed by using Acetone , Nail Polish Remover or other Alcohol Based cleaners Use felt pads under chair legs and other furniture to prevent scratching or marring Do not use any type of wax or "Mop & Shine" product There are several "No Wax" floor cleaners on the market that are specially manufactured for use on Laminate Flooring, if needed Hardwood Floors Most of the Hardwood Flooring that is manufactured today has characteristics that are built in to help protect the finish and beauty for years to come. The finish will provide superior wear, easy clean-up, no-wax care and resistance to staining. Sweep, dust or vacuum your floor with the hard surface attachment (not the beater bars) Quick and regular removal of dirt, dust and sand will help to reduce the exposure to scratching Use non staining mats or Area Rugs at entry ways to capture any soils from the outside The use of felt or Teflon pads or other floor protectors under chairs and other furniture will help to prevent scratching or marring of your floors finish Tough spots can be removed by using an Acetone or Nail Polish on a clean white cloth, then wipe with a clean, damp cloth Do not use any type of wax, polish or abrasive cleaners on your hardwood floor Do not wet mop your floor with any type of soap, oil-soap, or any other liquid cleaning agent. Swelling, warping, delaminating or joint-line separation may occur and possibly void your warranty Vinyl and Resilient Flooring Vinyl flooring is manufactured in a wide variety of styles to give your floor durability and versatility. Vinyl flooring is easily maintained and is available in designs that will reflect many different looks and textures. Sweep, dust or vacuum your floor with the hard surface attachment (not the beater bars) Quick and regular removal of dirt, dust and sand will help to reduce the exposure to scratching. Use non staining mats or Area Rugs at entry ways to capture any soils from the outside. The use of felt or Teflon pads or other floor protectors under chairs and other furniture will help to prevent scratching or marring of your floors finish. Rolling casters are not recommended on vinyl flooring. Wipe up spills as soon as possible. There are several types of Vinyl Floor Cleaners available for your "No-Wax" floor. Do Not use any type of detergents, abrasive cleaners or "Mop & Shine" products. When moving any heavy objects over your vinyl floor, place a plywood panel over the floor.