How to clean every type of floor in your living room
To clean a living room floor, start the same way on every type: vacuum or dry-mop to lift the grit. Then match the wet step to the floor. Hardwood and laminate get a barely damp microfiber mop and a cleaner made for them. Tile and vinyl can take a wetter mop with warm water. Area rugs get vacuumed both sides. Standing water is the enemy of every wood floor.
Grit is what scratches a floor. Getting it off first matters more than what goes in the bucket.
How do you know what floor you have?
- Sealed hardwood: water beads on it for a moment before it soaks in, if it soaks in at all.
- Unsealed or oiled wood: a drop of water soaks in and darkens the wood. Use as little water as you can.
- Laminate: a printed wood look, the same pattern repeating, a hollow sound underfoot.
- Vinyl plank or sheet vinyl: soft and a little warm to the touch, slightly flexible.
- Tile: ceramic or porcelain, with grout lines.
If you're not sure, test a drop of water in a corner and look up the flooring maker's care instructions if you have them.
What do you need?
- A vacuum with a hard-floor setting or the beater bar switched off
- A flat microfiber mop with spare pads
- A bucket, or a spray bottle for the cleaner
- A cleaner made for your floor type, mixed as the label directs
- Soft cloths for spills and scuffs
- Felt pads for furniture legs
How do you clean hardwood floors?
- Vacuum or dry-mop, with the brush roll off so it doesn't scratch or fling grit.
- Damp-mop in sections, with a microfiber pad wrung until it's almost dry, or a light mist of wood floor cleaner on the floor ahead of the mop.
- Work with the grain of the boards.
- Dry any wet spots with a cloth right away.
Water does damage on old hardwood. Keep the mop nearly dry, never pour water on the floor, and skip steam mops. Vinegar and water is acidic and can dull some finishes over time, so check before you use it.
How do you clean laminate?
Vacuum, then damp-mop with a well-wrung pad and a cleaner made for laminate. Laminate's weak point is its edges: water that gets into the seams makes the boards swell and lift, and that doesn't go back. No steam, no soaking, no wax or polish.
How do you clean vinyl plank and sheet vinyl?
Vinyl takes water better than wood. Vacuum, then mop with warm water and a little cleaner made for vinyl. Rinse the mop often so you're not spreading dirty water. Skip oil soaps, wax and scrubbing pads, which leave a film or dull the top layer. Wipe up rubber-backed mat marks with a soft cloth and a drop of dish soap.
How do you clean tile floors?
Vacuum or sweep, then mop with warm water and a pH-neutral cleaner. Change the water when it looks grey. For dark grout lines, see our grout guide. Natural stone like marble or slate needs a stone-safe cleaner, never vinegar.
What about area rugs?
Vacuum both sides every few weeks, and the floor under them. Grit works through a rug and scratches the wood underneath. For spills on a rug, our carpet stain guide covers blotting by stain type.
How do you protect floors between cleanings?
- Mats at the door, inside and out. Winter road salt leaves white marks on wood and eats at the finish.
- Shoes off at the door if your house does that.
- Felt pads under chair and table legs, replaced when they wear down.
- Wipe spills right away, especially on wood and laminate.
Want help with the floors?
Book House Cleaning online. If you have old hardwood or a floor that needs special care, ask about it when you book and put it in your booking notes.
FAQ
How do you clean hardwood floors? Vacuum or dry-mop first to lift grit, then damp-mop with a well-wrung microfiber mop and a cleaner made for sealed wood. The mop should be barely damp, and the floor should dry within a minute or two.
Can you steam mop hardwood or laminate? It's risky on both. Steam and heat can push moisture into the seams and cloud the finish, and laminate can swell at the edges. Check the flooring maker's care instructions, and use a damp microfiber mop if in doubt.
How do you clean vinyl plank floors? Vacuum with the beater bar off, then damp-mop with warm water and a little cleaner made for vinyl. Skip wax, oil soaps and abrasive pads, which leave film or dull the surface.
How often should you mop a living room floor? Vacuum or dry-mop once or twice a week, and damp-mop every week or two. Homes with pets, kids or a lot of winter salt coming in may need more.
Book a cleaning
Our service area: every Philadelphia neighborhood, plus the Pennsylvania suburbs within about 30 miles of Center City, in Montgomery, Delaware, Bucks and Chester counties. Book online at phillyscleanteam.com/book-now, or call or text (215) 798-7576, 9 AM to 9 PM, every day.
