MAINTENANCE OF FLOORINGS
There are many types of floors
and each has its own methods of maintenance. These are discussed further.
Marble Floors
Daily maintenance is to be
made by mopping with a mild detergent in water. Marble can easily get stained and
scarred. The lighter the colour the more easily the stains can be detected. If
there is a spill, it should be wiped out immediately. If these are stubborn
stains, proceed as follows:
1. If the stain is from
grease, make a paste of chalk dust or whiting with acetone. This mixture is
applied to the stain and allowed to stand overnight. Sponge off the mixture and
buff the treated area.
2. If the stain is from an
organic source such as tea, fruit juice, or carbonated beverages mix, use the
chalk powder with hydrogen peroxide instead of acetone. Rust stains can also be
removed by this paste. If the above process dulls the surface, sprinkle marble
polishing powder (tin oxide) and rub it down with thick cloth or an electric
buffer. Stubborn dirt can be removed by dry borax and damp cloth followed by
rinsing with warm water.
Granite and Other Stone Floors
Mopping with mild detergent
and water at regular intervals will keep the floor in good shape.
Terrazzo Floors
For a period of at least three
months after the terrazzo floor has been laid, it should be swabbed daily using
clean water and a clean rough swab (floor cloth) which should be rinsed
frequently in water to avoid dirt being carried back onto the floor. The floor
is then allowed to dry. If the floor is dirty, water and a mild soap may be
used to clean it. The soap should be completely removed by mopping as otherwise
it will be deposited on the floor making it slippery and dull looking. After
this initial cleaning, ordinary swabbing will keep the floor shining.
It is seldom possible to
remove oil and grease, if spilt on the floor, and if they are allowed to
penetrate below the surface. However applying a paste made by a powder such as
hydrated lime and marble dust, or whiting with benzol or clear gasoline over
the stain, and then wash after 12 hours can be used as described in section
Acid polishing of terrazzo
floors (using oxalic acid) is usually carried out after machine polishing
during the first laying of the floor. This can be repeated if needed. For this
purpose, oxalic acid is dusted over the surface at the rate of 35 g per sq m of
the surface sprinkled with water and rubbed hard with a pad of woollen rag. The
following day the floor is wiped with a moist rag and washed clean with water.
Acids such as dilute hydrochloric acid should not be used for cleaning mosaic
floors.
PVC Floors
PVC flooring subject to normal
usage may be kept clean by mopping with soap solution using a clean damp cloth.
The traces of soap should be removed by mopping. Water should not be poured
over the PVC flooring for cleaning as it may seep through the joints and cause
the adhesive to fail. The floor may be periodically polished to keep up its
appearance. It should not be overwaxed and if it develops this condition, it
should be cleared with white spirit or paraffin.
Linoleum Floors
Mopping with white kerosene
oil can pick up all the dirt from linoleum floors. After removing all the dirt,
the floor can be wiped with water and mopped well to get a polished surface. As
in the case of PVC floors, excess water and alkaline soaps should not be used
for cleaning linoleum floors.
Block-wood Floors
All wood floors should be kept
clean and the blocks should not become loose. The floor is cleaned and kept
bright by polishing with beeswax or ready-made wax polish.
Ceramic (Glazed and Vitrified) Tile Floors
Ceramic tiles are easy to
maintain. Soap and water can be used to clean them. Special care should be
taken to clean the joints (unless jointless tiles are used for the flooring).
Any stains can be removed by any of the methods used for other floors or even
by the household methods of using a cut lemon.
FAQ
What
kind of floor is easier to maintain?
Vinyl flooring
What
type of flooring is durable?
Tile flooring
What
flooring is best for the kitchen?
Tile flooring.
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