Remove Stains On Your Flooring With These Tips

Houses are meant to be lived in and floors are meant to be walked on, which means they might incur a stain or two (or twenty) in their lifetime.
But no need to fret — there are plenty of solutions when it comes to stain removal, no matter what type of flooring you have in your home.
Whether it’s spilled drinks, dropped food, kid messes, pet accidents, or some combination of all, we’ve got you covered with advice surrounding stains.

 

Hardwood Floors

To many, hardwood floors are precious. So, when a stain pops up, it can seem like the end of the world. But, we promise, it’s not. Stain removal is actually a lot easier than you think.
If you have children, one of the most harrowing stains is permanent marker. But it can actually be fixed by another common household item – toothpaste. Simply rub a dab of toothpaste onto the area with a damp cloth and the marker should come right up.
Even if you don’t have children, water stains are pretty common on hardwood floors – especially during the winter when you’re tracking in all the elements on your boots. These stains will often look smoky or hazy on the wood’s surface. To get rid of this look, cover the spot with a non-abrasive dry cloth, heat up your iron, and go over the spot 3-5 seconds at a time. After you’ve gone through a few rounds of that, dampen a cloth with denatured alcohol and gently rub the stains that are still visible, if there are any.
For general stains on hardwood floors, hydrogen peroxide is your best friend. Soak a cotton cloth in it, then place that cloth over the stain for 2-5 minutes. This will help bleach the stain out from the wood!

Vinyl Floors

Vinyl floors are wonderful if you’re interested in the look of a hardwood floor (or any type of floor, really), but aren’t interested in the level of maintenance those floors sometimes come with.
It’s easier to remove stains from vinyl floors than it is to remove them from hardwood. Most stains will come right up after using a cotton cloth and isopropyl alcohol to wipe them.
Tougher stains, like those that cause discoloration (fruit juice, wine, tomato juice, etc.), need bleach. Dilute the bleach with a 1:4 water/bleach ratio, soak a cloth in it, and then lay it over the stain. Leave it there for at least an hour, then check – it might take longer than that, but it will usually do the job in removing a discoloration mark.
Rust stains can be troublesome, too, but not impossible to remove. To get those up, make a paste of water and oxalic acid powder, then rub the paste into the floor with a damp cloth. (Always wear rubber gloves when using this solution, because the acidity of it can harm your skin! It’s important to make sure the area is well-ventilated as well.) After you scrub, rinse the area with water.

Stone and Tile Floors

Cleaning stone and tile floors might seem intimidating, but there’s one solution that most always comes to the rescue – muriatic acid. It’s a heavy duty cleaner that requires gloves and a respirator in a well-ventilated room, but it will get the job done. Just create a 1:5 muriatic acid/water ratio and use a toothbrush to scrub the stain with it. After the stain is gone, make sure all of the solution is cleaned off before moving on, since it’s highly toxic.
If the grout on your tile floors is dirty, make a mixture of lemon juice and shaving cream and put it in a spray bottle. Spray this solution on the affected grout, let it sit for about 5 minutes, then scrub away the dirt with a toothbrush.
If there’s something sticky (like gum) stuck to your stone/tile, freeze the substance with an ice cube and then gently scrape it up with a paint scraper or razor blade.

 

Carpet Floors

Carpet is a great option for families and those who prefer a warm vibe in their home. This type of flooring benefits from being vacuumed (with a fresh vacuum bag) at least once a week – probably more often if you have pets and/or children. But steam should always be used when it comes time for deep cleaning.
If you’re looking for a regular refresh for your carpet, creating a mixture of one part water and one part vinegar will do the trick. Put it in a spray bottle, add a few drops of essential oil (if you’d like), then spray it generously onto your carpeted floors.
As for stains, when they happen on carpet, don’t go into crisis mode. There are many effective carpet stain removers on the market, but if you don’t have one handy, just apply cold water and dish soap with a microfiber cloth. Always remember to blot instead of scrub! If the stain is still there after you’ve been blotting, add a bit of white vinegar to your soap/water combo and try again.

 

General Tips for Stain-Free Floors

Keeping your floors clean helps them last longer, so be proactive when fighting stains. Here are some general tips on how to keep all types of floors looking clean and brand new:
• Take off your shoes before coming into the house. Shoes track in mud, debris, and bacteria!
• Invest in a few area rugs to make high-traffic areas easier to maintain.
•​​​​​​​ Always do a spot test with cleaning solutions before using them on larger areas.
•​​​​​​​ Do a general cleaning on your floors at least once a month.

 

Clean Floors, Happy Life

At Goshen Floor Mart, we know that clean floors equal a happy life, and we want you to be as happy as possible with tidy and refreshing flooring.
​​​​​​​We offer a wide selection of carpet, carpet remnants, hardwood, luxury vinyl plank, vinyl sheet, and ceramic and porcelain tile. We have something for everyone in our inventory.

 

If you're in the market for flooring feel free to contact Goshen Floor Mart. Remember, we are always happy to provide you with a free estimate. Call us today at 574.642.4770 or contact us here