Dial-a-Maid
Floors undergo a tremendous amount of beating- from shuffling, running, stomping, spilling, to just walking on them with high heeled shoes.
All floors need to be maintained in order to make them look good and to last longer. The most important thing in maintaining floor quality, is for you to vacuum, vacuum, vacuum. Daily in high traffic areas.
Concrete floors are used primarioly in basements and garages. although some upscale houses are now putting in colored, cement floors in kitchens.Again, these floors should be swept or vacuumed, washed or scrubbed at least once a week. 1 cup of dishwashing liquid soap in a gallon of water is good when the floors are mildly dirty, to a strong solution of trisodium phosphate solution when they are oil and grease stained. Scrub concrete with a stiff-bristle nylon brush. Do not use a metal brush. Tiny filaments can break off and stain the concrete when they rust. Always use protective eyewear, gloves, and long sleeves when using trisodium phosphate and make sure area is well ventilated.
Hardwood floors are usually protected by a sealer, which penetrates the wood pores and a coating of polyurethane, shellac, or varnish. Others are covered by wax. As we said before, vacuum often so dirt will be prevented from grinding into the floor's finish. wipe up spills and mud immediately, using a damp cloth. Use a cleaner recommended by the manufacturer of the floor or your floor's finish. If you don't know the type of finish or its manufacturer, use a neutral cleaner, such as Murphy's oil soap.
Terrazo is a mixture of cement and small bits of marble and granite. Because the cement is porous, it tends to absorb stains and is often coated with a penetrating sealer.Sweep or vacuum regularly. Damp mop with a neutral cleaner, one that is neither acid nor alkaline. Murphy's oil soap is good. But do avoid all-purpose cleaners and detergents. With a wet mop, apply the solution and allow it to sit for several minutes. Then mop up the dirty solution, changing the rinse water often. If your terrazzo floor has any stubborn dirt, rent a small electric scrubbing machine to lift out the dirt.
Remember, the key to keeping your floors looking like new is to constantly vacuum. Dial-A-Maid's motto of "It's Us of Dust" applies to your floors as well as furniture! We know our floors!
