How to Maintain Your Eco-Friendly Flooring
Flooring has evolved to meet the growing interest in sustainable options. Here are some of the most popular green choices:
Cork and bamboo are sourced from fast-growing, renewable natural materials that don’t require cutting down trees. They also offer a tougher surface than hardwood floors. To care for them, use a mild or pH-neutral cleaner and avoid harsh chemical mixes.
1. Vacuum Regularly
Many eco-friendly floors are made of materials that require regular care. It’s important to vacuum your carpet and hard-surface floors regularly, as this helps prevent the buildup of dirt, dust, and grime that can cause wear and tear. For the best results, vacuum your flooring at least twice a week. You may need to vacuum more frequently if you have pets or children.
Vacuuming your floors is especially important if you have carpeted rooms. This flooring requires frequent cleaning because it traps dust, dirt, allergens, and bacteria in its fibers. The longer these particles are left on the floor, the more they can scratch and discolor your carpets and wood floors. Vacuum carpeted rooms at least twice a week and vacuum your area rugs.
Hard-surface floor care is less intensive, but it’s important to sweep your floors on a regular basis to remove dust and dirt. You can also use a mop or cloth with a non-toxic cleaner to keep your hard surfaces looking new and clean.
You can choose an all-natural cleaning product, such as Ecover or Method, for the best results. You can even find natural cleaning kits that provide all the products you need to clean your home, including a variety of floor cleaners.
Eco-friendly carpeting is a popular choice in homes and businesses because it can help reduce energy costs by creating a thermal barrier between the indoors and outdoors. It is also stain- and odor-resistant by design, making it easy to clean and maintain.
It’s a good idea to vacuum your carpeted rooms regularly and to use an eco-friendly carpet cleaner. You can also get rid of bad odors by using an aromatherapy spray or deodorizer.
Natural linoleum is another low-maintenance option that can last for decades. It’s made from a combination of linseed oil, pine resin, cork flour, and limestone, which are then pressed onto a jute backing. For the best results, you should vacuum your linoleum floor at least twice a week and give area rugs a good shake outside before vacuuming them.
2. Clean with Neutral Cleaners
There are many options when it comes to eco-friendly flooring. However, it’s important to choose the right flooring for your home. For example, hardwood floors are beautiful and can increase your home’s resale value. But hardwood can be costly and requires regular maintenance, such as refinishing and sealing. If you’re looking for an alternative to wood, look into bamboo flooring. Bamboo is a renewable resource and has a fast growth rate. It also releases very few VOCs.
Another option for eco-friendly flooring is tile. Most tile floors are made from recycled materials and are durable, affordable, and water-resistant. However, the tile does require regular cleaning to keep it looking its best.
When it comes to choosing a cleaner for your floor, make sure you select one that is neutral in pH levels. A pH-neutral cleaner will not damage your eco-friendly floor and will prevent a build-up of stains on your surface. It is safe to use on a variety of surfaces, including vinyl, tile, linoleum, stone, marble, and more.
It is recommended to clean your floors with a neutral cleaner twice a week. This will remove dirt, oil, and grime from the floor surface and prevent the build-up of stains. A neutral cleaner will also help reduce the need for frequent refinishing.
Ask your local flooring expert if you’re unsure which product to choose. They will be able to recommend a neutral cleaner that is suitable for your specific flooring type.
If you’re looking for a durable, affordable, and stylish eco-friendly floor, talk to a local flooring expert today. They can suggest the perfect floor for your home and show you a variety of different flooring choices that will fit your budget. And don’t forget to keep your eyes peeled for new eco-friendly options as they continue to evolve!
3. Polish the Eco-Friendly Way
The materials that make up your floors play a big role in how eco-friendly they are. You want to look for options that are sustainably produced, contain recycled content, and have a low carbon footprint. There are a lot of choices on the market, so whether your style is modern or rustic there’s a sustainable option for you.
For example, reclaimed wood flooring offers a unique, beautiful style supporting sustainability. It’s also durable and versatile enough to work in any room of the house. Similarly, cork floors are made from a renewable resource and help to insulate against acoustical vibrations and thermal fluctuations.
Many people associate eco-friendly with a lack of style, but that’s no longer true. With a focus on eco-friendly design, you can have the luxury flooring of your dreams without compromising quality or aesthetics.
Choosing the right sustainable flooring material is important, but you must also pay attention to how it’s cared for and maintained. For instance, natural flooring materials like bamboo and cork require less maintenance than traditional hardwood floors but must be cleaned regularly with a microfiber mop and neutral cleaner. If you have wood floors that need to be refinished or sanded, select an eco-friendly product that doesn’t use toxic chemicals and has low volatile organic compounds (VOC).
Cleaning green carpet is a little more complicated because you must use specific products that are safe for sustainable fibers. It’s not uncommon for BSCs to charge a bit more for cleaning eco-friendly floors because they often cost more than traditional chemicals.
Generally, a microfiber mop and neutral cleaner are the best way to clean sustainable floor types. Avoid using any type of wax or oil-based cleaners, as they can damage the floor. If you have wood floors that need a shine, go for a natural polish such as Ecover or Method. If you’re feeling creative, you can even make your own natural wood polish with a mixture of equal parts warm water and vinegar or olive oil.
Eco-friendly flooring can bring a new level of elegance to any home or business. But as you explore your options, remember that the best choice is a floor that meets your functional needs and reflects your style.
4. Don’t Over-Clean
As you know, there are several green flooring choices. Some of the most popular include cork, linoleum, and bamboo. Some companies also offer ceramic or created tile, recycled wood planks, and carpets made from renewable fibers. These are increasingly showing up in commercial buildings that want to earn the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification.
Those choosing green flooring materials should consider the embodied energy cost of those options and how far the materials traveled to get to their destination before installation. For instance, Asian bamboo is shipped long distances, which increases its embodied energy and carbon footprint.
Other environmental factors to consider are the number of VOCs, or volatile organic compounds, emitted by the flooring materials. These can cause respiratory problems, headaches, and eye irritation in those who are sensitive to them.
The best way to reduce VOC emissions is to choose natural flooring materials, like linoleum and tile, made in the U.S. Avoid laminate, vinyl flooring, and synthetic carpeting as they may emit harmful chemicals that can pollute your indoor air.
Another consideration when selecting flooring is how easy it is to maintain. The less cleaning a floor needs, the better. Eco-friendly floors like linoleum and tile are durable and easy to clean with neutral cleaners. However, hardwood flooring requires more regular care and maintenance. Using a dust mop to keep the wood clean and scuff-mark-free is recommended, along with sweeping up dirt regularly.
For carpets, look for natural or recycled materials that use fewer dyes and adhesives, which can release chemicals into the environment. Carpet manufacturers are also developing carpet take-back programs and using low-VOC materials in manufacturing.
If you’re unsure what green flooring type is best for your business, talk with your local flooring expert. He or she can provide more information about the newest green flooring options and how to keep them beautiful. You can even find a company offering restorative bonding services to make your old, tired floors look new!