Cleaning Hardwood Surfaces
Any treatments you decide to use should always be tested on an out-of-the-way corner of the floor surface to ensure that no further permanent discoloration will result.
When working on a hard floor surface such as wood or tile, a store-bought cleaning agent is generally effective for regular use. First, be sure to sweep the area to reduce surface soil. A mop is the easiest and most effective cleansing tool for hard surface floors. On wood, use a dry mop with a store bought wood cleaner. On hard tile floor surfaces a wet mop should be used along with cold water. Dip the mop into the water and begin mopping in the farthest corner working backwards towards the door using a figure eight pattern and bending at the knees in order to keep back strain to a minimum. Rinse the mop often and flip it over during use in order to decrease the risk of re-depositing soil. If there are baseboards along the floor, mop along the baseboard first and then begin at the farthest corner.
Removing Stains
If it becomes necessary to remove either gum or tar from a hard surface floor, use an ice cube to freeze the deposit and then gently scrape it off with a plastic spatula. Do not use a metal spatula or steel wool as it may scratch the floor surface.
Oil and bloodstains on hard surface floors are very difficult to clean. On a tile surface, a sponge with cold water and an ammonia mixture may work. Liquid solutions with five to ten percent ammonia mixture are sold as household ammonia, but should be used with care, as ammonia is a chemical that can be caustic to the eyes, nose, and skin, and very harmful if swallowed.
Cleaning Carpeted Floors
Carpeting can be cleaned in a multitude of ways as well, depending on the stain or discoloration. Carpeted floors should be thoroughly and regularly vacuumed. Foam, shampooing, and steam cleaning are all valuable tools for the intermittent rejuvenation of a well-worn carpet. Store bought carpet cleaners are generally adequate, however a good home carpet remedy is one tablespoon of liquid dish detergent in one cup of warm water, whipped until heavy suds form. Ammonia solutions are generally not advised as a carpet cleansing solution. These are dry suds and should be applied to the carpet with a damp sponge, being careful not to over saturate the sponge or the carpet. Begin in a corner of the room and work backwards towards the door, overlapping areas in order to clean entire carpets.
Preventing Discoloration
Heavy foot traffic on flooring is the most typical cause of discoloration; this should be preemptively treated by constant vacuuming on carpeted surfaces and mopping on hard surfaces. There may be certain stains or wear on carpet that are not easy to eliminate and rejuvenate. In these cases, the option of replacing the floor surface should be considered.
