How to Clean Every Type of Floor Quickly and Easily

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The secret to cleaning floors

Even if you tend to be pretty neat, cleaning floors is one job that seems like it’s never done. The reason? Gravity. “Everything falls on the floor,” says Pam Clyde, owner of Britlin Cleaning in Roundrock, Texas. “It is definitely the area that gets dirty the fastest.”

When you’re cleaning carpet, a trusty vacuum gets the job done in a flash, but when it comes to hard-surface floors, that’s only the first step. There are mops and other cleaning supplies you need to add to the mix to get hardwood, linoleum, laminate, tile, vinyl, marble and more looking shiny and new again. Adding a layer of complication to the equation? If you don’t clean these various materials the right way, you can irreparably damage your floors. And your eyes can deceive you: For example, even though laminate floors and wood floors may look the same, they require very different types of maintenance and cleaning supplies.

Well, we’re about to give you the keys to the kingdom—aka an incredibly comprehensive and easy-to-follow guide that shows you how to clean every type of flooring you might have in your home. We’ll cover how often scrubbing floors should be on your cleaning schedule, the best floor cleaners to stock up on and the techniques that make all the difference. When you’re up to speed, learn how to clean your baseboards, because you don’t want this dusty detail ruining your hard work. It’s all a lot quicker to do and easier than you might think, as you’ll see momentarily.

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How often should you clean your floors?

“In a perfect scenario,” Clyde says, “you should vacuum high-traffic areas at least daily, especially if you have young children and pets in your household.” Yes, she said daily. If you had a visceral reaction to that word, you may want to invest in a robot vacuum cleaner. That’s because the dirt, grime and other tiny particles could be abrasive and cause damage when ground underfoot; daily vacuuming will also prevent you from accidentally tracking any of it into other rooms.

Cleaning pros also recommend deep-cleaning floors a minimum of once a week in high-traffic or mess-prone areas like kitchens and bathrooms. This not only keeps your space tidy but also prevents damage that occurs when spills, stains or splashes are overlooked and eat away at flooring materials.

Another bonus: Cleaning floors regularly can keep allergies in check. After all, as you vacuum, mop and disinfect, you’ll be removing things like pet hair, dust mites and other potential allergens. “If you don’t clean your floors enough and people in your household have allergies, they may start getting worse symptoms,” says Elena Ledoux, founder and CEO of Superb Maids in Las Vegas.

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Does the type of flooring affect how you clean it?

Absolutely. “For each surface, there are very specific processes, tools, supplies and methods for cleaning,” says Ledoux. If you don’t follow the proper cleaning recommendations, you could damage your floors over time.

For starters, it’s important to use the right vacuum and attachments on your floors so you don’t scuff them. And the right methods are essential when cleaning marble floors and other natural stone. These materials are calcium-based, which means they’re sensitive to anything even slightly acidic, and using cleaning sprays that are not pH neutral—even things as gentle as white vinegar or dish soap—can permanently damage the stone. Similarly, while stone can tolerate moisture, wood and laminate floors cannot; that means you need to make sure your mop isn’t too wet when cleaning wood floors.

Which leads us to our next section! Here’s what you need to know about cleaning every type of wood floor in your home.

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How to clean wood floors

Supplies:

• Vacuum
• Microfiber mop
• Microfiber mop pads
• A pH-neutral laminate floor cleaner, such as Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner or Zep Hardwood & Laminate Floor Cleaner

Directions:

1. Vacuum the area, making sure to use a machine that is safe for your floors. Look for a vacuum with a parquet floor brush for wood surfaces.
2. Prepare the cleaning product as stated on the product package (some products may need to be diluted), and transfer it to a spray bottle. If you haven’t used the product before, test it in an inconspicuous area of the floor to make sure it is safe.
3. Once you’ve determined that it’s safe for your floor, spray a microfiber mop pad with the cleaning solution—just until it’s damp—and affix it to the mop handle.
4. Starting in one corner of the room, work in sections that are roughly 6-by-6-feet square. Move the mop in an S-shaped pattern, rotating the mop head at each curve so you are always moving dirt or debris toward you, not simply pushing it back and forth.
5. Repeat until the entire floor is clean.

Pro tips: Wood reacts badly to moisture (which is why you may also need to know how to remove water stains from wood furniture), so you never want to use a dripping wet mop. Similarly, don’t let water sit on wood for any length of time. Here are more details on how to clean hardwood floors.

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How to clean tile floors

Supplies:

• Vacuum
• Microfiber mop
• Microfiber pads
• Microfiber cloth
• Grout brush
• A pH-neutral floor cleaner, such as Zep Neutral pH Floor Cleaner or Black Diamond Marble & Tile Concentrated Cleaner
• Wet vac (optional)

Directions:

1. 1. Vacuum the floor. Use a vacuum that won’t scratch floors, like one with a parquet floor brush.
   2. Prepare your cleaning product as stated on the product package, diluting if necessary.
   3. Soak microfiber mop pads in the cleaning solution, and wring them out so they are damp but not dripping.
   4. Starting at the farthest point away from you, work in 6-by-6-foot square sections of the floor. Move the mop in an S-shaped pattern, rotating the mop head at each curve so you are always moving any dirt or debris toward you, not simply pushing it back and forth.
   5. Repeat until the entire floor is clean, regularly changing mop pads as they get dirty.
   6. Next, spray a grout brush with the same pH-neutral cleaning agent or a product designed for grout. Gently scrub the grout lines with the brush, then rinse with clean water.
   7. If you have a wet vac, suction up any remaining water. If you don’t, rinse tiles thoroughly with clean water and wipe up any excess water with a microfiber cloth dry mop pad.

Pro tips: One thing to know about how to clean grout is that you should always do it after the tile is clean; otherwise you’ll be pushing dirt into clean grout and have to redo your work.

If you’re wondering how to clean tile floors that are made of natural stone, follow the same directions, but dry each section with a clean, dry mop pad after cleaning it to avoid streaks. If you’re cleaning this type of tile floor in your bathroom, you may encounter mold or mildew. But whatever you do, don’t use acidic cleaners, even vinegar, on marble or natural stone tile, as they can cause irreparable damage. Always use a pH-neutral cleaner or product specifically designed for natural stone.

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How to clean laminate floors

Supplies:

• Vacuum
• Microfiber mop (ideally one wet, one dry)
• Microfiber pads
• A pH-neutral laminate floor cleaner, such as Bona Hard Surface Floor Cleaner or Zep Hardwood & Laminate Floor Cleaner

Directions:

1. Vacuum the floor, using a machine that is safe for your floors and won’t damage them.
2. Prepare the cleaning product as stated on the product package (if diluting, use cold to lukewarm water), and transfer to a spray bottle.
3. Spray the mop pad with just enough cleaner to moisten it. Do not spray directly on the floor.
4. Start at the farthest point away from you, and work in a 5-by-5-foot section at a time. Begin in one corner and move the mop in an S-shaped pattern, rotating the mop head at each curve so you are always moving any dirt or debris toward you, not simply pushing it back and forth.
5. After completing each section, use a dry mop to go over it in the same pattern to dry the floor. This will help prevent streaks and ensure moisture doesn’t get into the cracks between the laminate.
6. Repeat until the entire floor is clean and dry.

Pro tips: If you have laminate floors in your kitchen, wipe up any spills as quickly as you can, and don’t let water or even cleaning liquids sit for long. That’s because moisture can seep into the seams and cause damage, such as buckling, as well as create an environment for mold.

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How to clean linoleum floors

Supplies:

• Vacuum
• Microfiber mop (ideally one wet, one dry)
• Microfiber pads
• A pH-neutral laminate floor cleaner, such as Bona Hard-Surface Floor Cleaner or Zep Hardwood & Laminate Floor Cleaner
• Bona Hard-Surface Floor Polish

Directions:

1. Vacuum the floor, making sure to use a machine that won’t damage or scratch them.
2. Prepare the cleaning product as stated on the product package (if diluting, use cold to lukewarm water), and transfer to a spray bottle.
3. Spray the mop pad with just enough cleaner to moisten it. Do not spray directly on the floor.
4. Starting at the farthest point away from you, work in 5-by-5-foot sections. Begin in one corner, and move the mop in an S-shaped pattern, rotating the mop head at each curve so you are always moving any dirt or debris toward you, not just pushing it back and forth.
5. After completing a section, use a dry mop to go over it in the same pattern to dry the floor.
6. Repeat until the entire floor is clean and dry.

Pro tips: Linoleum’s name derives from the linseed oil used to manufacture it, which makes this flooring naturally antimicrobial. While it is generally a durable material, you’ll want to care for it the way you would a wood floor, by using a neutral-pH cleaner and avoiding excess moisture when mopping.

To lengthen the life of your linoleum floor, polish it every two to four months, which can help seal it and protect it from scratches and other damage. After cleaning (and with your floor completely dry), apply a product designed for polishing linoleum, such as Armstrong ShineKeeper Floor Polish. Use the same method detailed above to clean your floors, applying the polish with a microfiber mop in an S-shaped pattern.

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How to clean vinyl floors

Supplies:

• Vacuum
• Microfiber mop
• Microfiber pads
• A floor cleaner, such as Bona PowerPlus Antibacterial Hard-Surface Floor Cleaner

Directions:

1. Vacuum the floor, making sure to use a machine that won’t damage or scratch them.
2. Prepare the vinyl floor cleaning solution as stated on the product package. (Some products may need to be diluted.)
3. Soak several microfiber mop pads in the cleaning solution, and wring them out. (They should be damp but not dripping.)
4. Stand in the farthest corner of the room, and move the mop in an S-shaped pattern, rotating the mop head at each curve so you are always moving any dirt or debris toward you, not simply pushing it back and forth. Work in small sections, such as a 6-by-6-foot square.
5. Repeat until the entire floor is clean, regularly changing mop pads as they get dirty.

Pro tips: Although durable (and waterproof), vinyl is prone to scuffing, so it pays to use furniture sliders and pads, especially on any pieces with wood or metal legs, to avoid scratches. If you get a scuff, you can find “pens” that match the kind of vinyl you have to cover the mark. For instance, if you have plank vinyl flooring, you can use a Cal-Flor ScratchCure Pen.

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How to clean marble floors

Supplies:

• Vacuum
• Microfiber mop (ideally one wet, one dry)
• Microfiber pads
• A floor cleaner, such as Zep Neutral pH Floor Cleaner
• Bucket of clean water

Directions:

1. Start with a vacuumed floor, making sure the machine you use won’t damage the stone.
2. Prepare the cleaning product as stated on the product package. (Some products may need to be diluted.) If you have not used this product before, test it in an inconspicuous area of the floor to make sure it is safe for your marble or stone.
3. Dip a microfiber mop in the cleaning solution, and wring it out. (It should be wet but not dripping.)
4. Starting at the farthest point away from you, work in one small section, such as a 3-by-3-foot square, at a time. Move the mop in an S-shaped pattern, rotating the mop head at each curve so you are always moving any dirt or debris toward you, not simply pushing it back and forth.
5. After completing a section, use a dry microfiber mop to go over it in the same pattern to dry the floor. This prevents streaking.
6. Repeat until the entire floor is clean and dry.

Pro tips: Change your mop pads as they get dirty, and rinse water at regular intervals. Something to keep in mind when considering how to clean marble floors is that marble is porous, so it needs to be sealed, usually once or twice per year. Sealer can be applied to clean stone in much the same way you clean it—just make sure to use a stone-specific product, such as Miracle Sealants 511 Impregnator Sealer. This is also something you should do after cleaning marble countertops.

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How to clean garage floors

You may not consider the garage part of your home, but no one wants a garage floor stained with oil and grease. Garage floors are usually concrete, which will stain if substances sit on them.

Supplies:

• Wet/dry shop vacuum
• White vinegar or Whink Rust Stain Remover
• Degreaser, such as Zep Industrial Purple Degreaser
• Stiff-bristled mop or scrub brush
• Pressure washer (optional)
• Bucket of clean water

Directions:

1. Sweep or vacuum any debris from the floor using a shop vac.
2. If you have rust stains, scrub with white vinegar or a cleaning product designed for that purpose.
3. For oil and grease stains, apply a degreaser according to the package directions. Let sit for 20 minutes, then scrub with a brush and rinse with clean water.
4. Use a long-handled brush to scrub the entire garage floor with the cleaner.
5. Rinse thoroughly.

Pro tips: A pressure washer can be a great tool for cleaning concrete garage floors. Because concrete is porous, dirt can easily become embedded in the surface, making it difficult to remove. A high-pressure stream of water, however, can get rid of dirt, oil stains and other debris on concrete surfaces quickly and effectively. Just make sure to remove any items that could be damaged by water or that could obstruct the cleaning process. Also cover any exposed outlets to prevent water damage and safety issues.

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The best floor cleaners

Choosing the right products is key to treating your floors right—and not damaging them. Materials such as marble, natural stone, wood and laminate require a neutral-pH product, which will be stated on the label. If you are unsure about whether a product is safe to use, you can look up the product’s safety data sheet (SDS). These informational sheets list the product’s pH, and a pH of 7.0 is neutral. But, of course, there’s more to cleaning floors than just choosing the right cleaning solution—you also need vacuums, mops and more. Stock up on these products that experts swear by.

• Miele Boost CX1 Parquet Bagless Canister Vacuum: Certain types of floors, like wood, marble and laminate, can be damaged by the wrong vacuum. Miele’s vacuum, which has a parquet floor brush, is designed to be gentle on these surfaces.
• Bona Premium Microfiber Mop for Multi-Surface Floors: Microfiber mops are universally beloved because they are nonabrasive and won’t leave puddles that could cause water damage to some floors.
• Bona Microfiber Pads: It pays to keep a stash of extras around, as you can use these for both washing and drying your floors, and you can go through a surprising amount on a dirty floor.
• Zep Hardwood & Laminate Floor Cleaner: This pH-neutral cleaner is gentle on any surface, but it’s considered the best laminate floor cleaner to get floors shining. Bonus: You can use it regularly without worry.
• Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner: Arguably the best hardwood floor cleaner around, it cleans without leaving residue or streaks so that wood ends up bright and beautiful every time. It now comes in several scents.
• Dr. Bronner’s Sal Suds Biodegradable Cleaner: This plant-based pick is free from synthetic dyes and fragrances, and it’s safe on many surfaces.
• Black Diamond Marble & Tile Concentrated Floor Cleaner: When it comes to finding the best tile floor cleaner, look no further than this product, which is safe on any kind of tile, including natural stone.

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Expert tips to keep your floor clean

Regardless of whether they’re linoleum, wood, marble or vinyl, floors take a lot of effort to clean. If you want that effort to last as long as possible, and for the subsequent job to be as easy as possible, follow these expert-recommended tips.

• Have a shoe-free home. Having people remove their shoes when they’re inside your home can help cut down on dirt that’s tracked in. “It’s a pretty low investment of effort, but it makes a big difference,” says Ledoux. “When people do not take their shoes off, even after you clean and mop it, [you’ll notice that if] you dab the floor with a damp paper towel, it will be black from buildup.” Yuck!
• Wipe up spills ASAP. Avoid letting liquids sit on flooring, or you might end up with stains and moisture damage. Using furniture sliders, protective fabric coasters or rugs and mats under furniture can also help prevent scratches to your floors.
• Clean on a sunny day. And no matter what type of floors you’re cleaning, there’s one piece of advice that applies universally: “Clean on a sunny day,” says Liz Trotter, owner of American Maid Service in Olympia, Washington. “It’s much easier to see scuffs and streaks on any material and check how good a job you did.”  This is also a good tip for washing windows.
• Be vigilant. How in-depth you go with floor cleaning depends on personal preference, Trotter says, noting that “some people need their floors to be pristine, while others only care about visible dirt.” But in the end, she says, “the better you take care of your floor, the longer it will take for more severe damage to set in.” Translation: Learning how to clean every kind of floor the right way will pay off with long-lasting, shining surfaces in every room of your home.

Now that you’ve got “cleaning floors” checked off your to-do list, find out how to clean the rest of your bathroom and kitchen the right way.

Sources:

• Pam Clyde, owner of Britlin Cleaning
• Elena Ledoux, founder and CEO of Superb Maids
• Liz Trotter, owner of American Maid Service
• International Association of Certified Home Inspectors: “Linoleum Inspection”