The Dos And Don'ts of Cleaning your Cork Floors

Regular sweeping and mopping is all you need to do to keep your cork floors clean. However there are some preventive measures you must know to keep your cork flooring tidy, steady and intact. And if you follow these instructions, there is the possibility that many future generations in a household will see the same flooring with all its shape and beauty in place.

• Wipe away spills immediately.

• Sweep or vacuum your cork floors regularly. Dirt, dust, grit or debris may scratch the surface of cork floor. Regular cleaning will prevent this abrasion.

• Damp mop the floor at least once a week or as required. Because excess water can harm the floor, be sure to use only a 'damp' mop.

• Use only recommended cork floor cleaners to clean heavy stains or spills.

• Use mild wood-floor detergent once in a while for cleaning the cork floors thoroughly.

• Place door mats and pads at the entrances, to prevent dirt, sand and grit being tracked onto the floor.

• Place mats in front of the working areas in the kitchen like sink and stove to prevent moisture penetration and wear due to excess floor usage.

• Allow any liquid to stand on cork floors. Water or moisture in any form can seriously damage the floor.

• Wet mop your cork floors.

• Flood the floor while cleaning or wet mopping.

• Use abrasive soaps, oils, waxes or ammonia-based cleaning products on your cork floors. Also, never use harsh solvents as many of them can discolor or damage the floor's surface.

• Use mats with rubber or other non-porous backings since they could trap moisture and affect the finish.