The six mistakes you’re making when cleaning your floor – and they’re doing more harm than good

KEEPING surfaces clean is crucial for preventing germs around your home and making sure it’s clean and tidy. 

But there are some common cleaning mistakes people make when tackling their floors that could be doing more harm than good.

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You could be damaging your floors with six common cleaning mistakes[/caption]

Liam Cleverdon, flooring expert at Flooring King said: “Ensuring floors are maintained is vital, helping protect surfaces from damage while also being crucial for our health. 

“Our shoes can carry a lot of bacteria and harmful germs, so addressing floors periodically is important.

“Our survey from last year revealed that 1 in 3 Brits never wash their slippers, highlighting the importance of cleaning surfaces”.

With that in mind, Liam has revealed the most common flooring cleaning mistakes people could be making – and how to avoid them.

Using too much water

Liam says that using too much water is “one of the most common mistakes people make” when addressing floors.

Depending on the flooring type, this could pose a risk to the surface’s longevity as flooring such as laminate, hardwood and vinyl are known to react to excess moisture, leading to warping and lifting effects.

Liam advises: “To avoid this, it’s important to ensure the mop is wet but not dripping, a damp microfibre mop is perfect for cleaning floors without causing damage.”

Choosing the incorrect cleaning product

“Each flooring type is different and therefore, requires a varied cleaning process and product” Liam continues.

This means a product designed for hardwood might not be efficient on laminate – but it may also strip surfaces of their protective finishes, increasing the risk of future damage and potential replacement costs.

He adds: “As a result, I’d suggest doing proper research to ensure the chosen cleaning product is designed for the floor of choice, avoiding any products that could cause damage or discolouration.”

Forgetting to vacuum

It’s not uncommon for people to jump straight into the mopping process, without vacuuming the surface first.

Liam says: “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.

“Vacuuming at least once a week is essential, but depending on the household, those with pets or small children may want to vacuum more regularly to minimise mess.”

Disregarding spillages

“Depending on the liquid, leaving a spillage for too long can prove incredibly problematic, risking compromising the look of the floor” the flooring pro reveals.

“Wine, water and fizzy drinks can all potentially ruin surfaces, causing floors to become sticky, discolour and potentially warp.

“It’s so avoidable too, all people need to do to avoid this one is ensure they’re addressing any spillages immediately. Typically, they can be removed using a microfibre cloth.”

Air-Drying Floors

Liam also revealed that many people are unaware that air-drying floors can pose a similar risk as spillages, in terms of moisture absorption and warping.

He says: “While it’s definitely the easiest method for drying mopped floors, it’s better to set time aside to dry surfaces with microfibre cloths – helping prevent streaks and the risk of moisture seeping in between floorboards.”

Scrubbing too hard

Finally, Liam reveals that it’s “incredibly common” for people to get carried away while targeting a pesky stain and become too rough with the surface.

He says: “Scrubbing floors too hard can remove protective coatings while leaving visible scratch marks, adding to the visual mess.

“This is particularly prevalent in households with wooden, vinyl or laminate floors, so taking the time to address stains and spills without being too harsh is crucial for maintaining healthy clean floors.”

He adds: “Overall, I believe it’s incredibly important that people are aware of the most common errors made when cleaning floors.

“By doing so, people can avoid these mistakes themselves, helping reduce the risk of permanent damage and allowing people to maintain a tidy, inviting aesthetic.”