First Aid for your Floors

In case of spills on your beautiful carpet, the best way to remove any liquid stains is, generally, to first remove the excess liquid with several layers of clean, dry paper towels. Then apply a diluted hand washing detergent to a clean cloth and gently blot the stain until it's removed.

Vinyl First Aid

If your Vinyl floor gets a cut or gouge in it, or if you have a seam open, cover the areas and call a floor covering professional immediately to come and repair them.

Wipe up any spills immediately. Most spills wipe up easily with a clean rag or paper towel. If needed, clean them with the manufacturer's recommended cleaner or luke warm water and clear ammonia. Don't use soap because it will leave a film that will make the floor appear dull.

Area Rug First Aid

Just in case of spills on your beautiful area rug, the best way to remove any liquid stains is, generally, to first remove the excess liquid with several layers of clean, dry paper towels. Then apply a diluted hand washing detergent to a clean cloth and gently blot the stain until it's removed.

Laminate First Aid

Even though laminate floors are extremely durable, they can be scratched if you're not careful. For minor scratches there are special, color-coordinating pencils that can be used to fill them in. For chips, deep scratches and gouges, repairs can be made with colored burn-in sticks, which are used with special electric knives.

Gaps between plank seams can be touched up with manufacturer-recommended touch-up products.

If damage to a laminate plank is too severe for these procedures, you can replace it without destroying the rest of the floor. There are special tools, router bits, and wood strips to make that chore easier, but, unless you're especially handy, it's probably best to leave a job like that to a professional installer.

By Dave Dumoulin

For further information on flooring contact Dave Dumoulin with JP Flooring, a Cincinnati Flooring Company .