Posted on: Sunday, April 17, 2005

Taking good care of your floor

By James and Morris Carey
Associated Press

Keeping clean what's under foot can be a daunting task — especially if pets and little ones are a part of one's brood. Simple things such as frequent vacuuming, floor mats at all exterior doors and shoe removal can do wonders to cut down on housework and costly repairs.

Here are some tips:

• Scuff marks on a vinyl floor are unsightly and can be a real pain to clean. Get an art-gum eraser (one of those grayish-tan ones you used in high school) or borrow a pink pearl eraser from your child. Simply rub the mark and it will disappear. For tough scuffs, pour a sparing amount of mineral spirits (paint thinner) on a clean, white, soft cloth and rub the spot clean. Test an inconspicuous area first to be sure it doesn't damage the finish.

• Here's an idea for eliminating bubbles in your vinyl floor: If they're small, take a large sewing needle and poke a tiny hole in the center of the bubble. Lay a thick towel over the area and use a hot iron to soften and flatten the flooring. Then stack several large books onto the repair to keep the former bump in close contact with the adhesive while it cools and rebonds to the substrate. Larger bubbles (6 to 8 inches or more) require more sophisticated solutions, and are best left to a flooring pro.

• Something as simple as vacuuming can do wonders to extend carpet wear. A popular misconception is that frequent vacuuming will weaken carpet fiber and thus shorten the life of the carpet. Just the opposite is true. Carpet should be vacuumed at least once weekly and more frequently if possible. Ground-in soil abrades carpet fibers, resulting in premature wear and greater stain susceptibility.

• Does your carpet smell like dirty gym socks? You can try a commercial carpet deodorizer or sprinkle baking soda into the carpet, leave it for several hours and then vacuum it up. For less money and a little extra work, try sprinkling grated potato (yes, potato) throughout the area. Let it stand for several hours, then vacuum. The extra work with the potatoes is in the grating.

• If you have a damaged section of carpet or vinyl flooring, make a patch by removing the damaged section and replace it with a remnant. If you don't have a scrap laying around to make the repair, then grab a piece from a closet, from under an appliance or from beneath a piece of furniture. It may not match perfectly, but our experience is that most of your guests will never notice.

• Got dirty hardwood floors? Most cleaners you can buy at the store work fine. But if you want to save money, or just prefer to do things the old-fashioned way, mix up a 5 percent solution of vinegar and water. Measure carefully, and don't use any extra vinegar — the acid can dull the finish. Keep in mind that water and wood don't mix, so when you mop, use as little water as possible. Your mop should be damp, not wet. Do a section of the floor at a time and wipe the floor dry immediately with a clean, soft cloth. Never let the floor air-dry — you can damage the wood and end up with water marks.

• When your hardwood floor gets scratched, there is nothing you can do except refinish. So use a welcome mat or rug at the outside and inside of each exterior door to catch the grit that might get tracked in.

• There is only one way to properly repair a damaged section of hardwood floor. Be prepared to replace any stained or damaged wood and then sand and refinish the entire floor. Any other solution will usually leave a noticeable "patched" area.

• Want to keep ceramic tile from looking lousy? Don't use abrasive cleansers. They literally "sand" off the finish. A mild soap and water solution is usually all that's needed to keep most floor tile looking good. Be certain to rinse the area thoroughly and dry and polish with a clean cloth.

For more home improvement tips visit www.onthehouse.com.