Each floor type demands a specific floor cleaner. Certainly, not all cleaning products are effective, so you must choose well to get the best results. For example, you can’t use a concentrated concrete cleaner to remove stains on a delicate hardwood floor. The first application would be enough to remove the varnish layer. So if you know types of floor cleaner, you can easily understand which one is perfect for you.
Many people buy floor cleaners convinced by what they see on TV commercials or by other people’s recommendations. However, to choose well you must first know the kind of floor you have at home.
Hardwood, vinyl, tile, natural stone, concrete and many more. When it comes to floor materials, the possibilities are many. And obviously, for every floor type, there are even more floor cleaners options. Certainly, with so many different floor cleaners available, choosing just one becomes difficult.
In this article, you’ll know the different types of floor cleaners and their different uses. The information in this article will also help you be better prepared the next time you decide to buy a new floor cleaner.
What is Floor Cleaner?
It’s a cleaning product specially formulated to clean floors. They come in different presentations, such as liquids, sprays and gels. To use them you just have to apply them directly on the floor and rub the surface with a damp cloth.
Floor cleaners help soften stains stuck on the surface, so they can be more easy to remove. They also kill the pathogens present on the floor, eliminate bad odors and provide a fresh fragrance. Some contain polymers in their formula that allow keeping floors shiny for longer.
Depending on the type of surface on which they act, the concentration and cleaning power of floor cleaners may vary. For example, mold and bacteria can survive easily inside porous surfaces. In these cases, floor cleaners must easily penetrate those pores and kill any kind of pathogen.
In the case of delicate surfaces, floor cleaners must be gentle enough to not ruin the surface, but at the same time effective to eliminate debris. So, before buying any product, check out the use instructions and verify that the floor cleaner is appropriate for your floor type.
If you haven’t got the expected results from your regular floor cleaner, maybe you need to find a new one. Below you’ll find a detailed explanation of each floor cleaner type so you can be better prepared to choose the most appropriate for you.
All Types of Floor Cleaner
Depending on the floor material and the chemical composition of the product, floor cleaners are classified into:
- Hardwood floor cleaners.
- Laminate floor cleaners.
- Vinyl floor cleaners.
- Ceramic tile floor cleaners.
- Natural stone floor cleaners.
- Organic floor cleaners.
- Chemical floor cleaners.
- Homemade floor cleaners.
All Types of Floor Cleaner
Here’s a detailed description of each floor cleaner type that you can currently find on the market.
Hardwood Floor Cleaners
Their main function is to protect hardwood sealing those small scratches and imperfections on the surface where debris can accumulate. They also help to collect more dirt on each pass when applied on a dry cloth.
The rubbing between shoes and hard particles of dirt are the main cause of scratches on hardwood floors. Therefore it’s so important to keep this kind of flooring clean all the time.
In addition, some hardwood floor cleaners contain polyacrylic urethane or polyurethane to provide a gloss finish. It is good to clean wood stain perfectly.
Laminate Floor Cleaners
Water is the worst enemy of laminate floors. Laminate mimics the look of hardwood and natural stones quite well. Best of all, they’re a low-cost alternative. However, it tends to absorb water. And when this happens, the surface becomes puffed and the mold begins to grow.
Most laminate floor cleaners come in the form of sprays. That way you can better control the dosage, avoiding adding too much liquid to the surface.
Vinyl Floor Cleaners
Vinyl floors are resistant to high traffic. Usually, they’re installed in rooms that get dirty very often. Therefore, pathogens tend to proliferate easily within scratches.
Vinyl floor cleaners vary the pH of the surface so viruses, fungi and bacteria can’t survive. They also seal scratches so pathogens can’t accumulate inside them. Some specialized products protect the surface from UV rays to prevent sun-fading.
Ceramic Tile Floor Cleaners
Certainly, ceramic tile floors tend to accumulate debris and mold between their joints. Ceramic tile floor cleaners use a highly concentrated formula to penetrate the porous surface of grout and remove dirt and pathogens.
Best of all, you can scrub without fear of ruining the surface. For the best results, it’s advisable to apply them with hot water.
Natural Stone Floor Cleaners
Natural stones, such as marble and granite, are very sensitive to chemical cleaners and acids. In addition, they’re very porous and dirt and pathogens can easily accumulate in their empty spaces.
Natural stone floor cleaners work as sealing agents, closing pores and preventing dirt from accumulating again. In addition, they’re less concentrated than regular chemicals.
Organic Floor Cleaners
Formulated with natural ingredients, organic floor cleaners are a safe alternative for chemicals. They’re biodegradable and allow a safe return of gray water to the environment.
However, they aren’t as effective as chemical cleaners. But, they don’t cause adverse reactions on the skin. So, they’re the best alternative for allergy sufferers.
Chemical Floor Cleaners
They’re highly concentrated and the best for stubborn stains. Most effective chemical floor cleaners contain chlorine, ammonia, hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide. They can be toxic and cause irritation. Therefore, it’s advisable to apply them using protective equipment.
Chemical floor cleaners are commonly used in industries. They’re the best for removing oil stains from concrete.
Homemade Floor Cleaners
They’re all those cleaning formulas that you can prepare at home. Some common ingredients in homemade floor cleaners are baking soda and vinegar. These formulas eliminate pathogens as well as chemicals, but without risks of poisoning.
However, to remove stubborn stains, regular cleaning products are the best option.
Conclusion
As you can see, you can’t apply the same floor cleaner on different surfaces. Depending on the floor material, you must choose the most appropriate product. In the case of delicate floors, be careful with overly concentrated products. They could ruin the surface.
For best results, follow the use instructions of your floor cleaner. If you’re going to mix several floor cleaners to make your own formula, be careful with toxic emissions.
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