Take Care of Your Flooring to Make it Last
As a carpet and flooring store, you might think we want you to purchase new flooring all the time, but the opposite is true. The best way to make our customers happy is to provide carpet and flooring that will look great and last for years. And the best way we know how to make flooring last is to take care of it.
Floor care might seem overly obvious, but we’ve been in the flooring business for decades, and we have some advice to help keep you loving your floors for a long time.
Before You Buy
This is an obvious tip but do your homework before you buy. There is no point in finding a style you love only to learn that it will not work for your needs. Learning which materials will work best and suit your needs will help you love your flooring for years to come. Some things to consider before you browse or buy:
What is the traffic pattern in the space? Will there be many people in and out, or is this for a lesser-used room?
What about kids and pets? Will there be extra wear and tear due to kids-at-play and furry family members?
What kind of cleaning and maintenance does the flooring require? No one wants to battle with fussy flooring each week.
Don’t forget to look for the right flooring for the right room, too. Our team is always happy to help ensure the flooring you choose will be around for a long time.
The Part You Don’t See
Another essential part of flooring is the part you’ll never see: padding. Adequate padding can help your floors last longer and feel great too. And many buyers either ignore or don’t know about padding. The Sloane’s Carpet Secret team can tell you more about what is best for your needs. Most importantly, you should be aware of whether your pad has moisture protection — i.e., is it waterproof to protect the subfloor? And you can learn more about padding here
Cleaning
Keeping your flooring clean will help it last also. Dirt and grime in carpet can wear the fibers down over time. The same goes for luxury vinyl plank; if it’s covered in dust and dirt, those particles can wear away at the finish over time. No matter what flooring you choose, cleaning it weekly – or more often if necessary – is a must.
When to Call the Cleaning Pros
Most flooring manufacturers recommend a deep, professional-level cleaning every 18-24 months. More often than that is unnecessary unless there is some out-of-the-ordinary accident or catastrophe. Deep professional cleaning is required a lot less often.
Speaking of “Out-of-the-Ordinary”
When or if there is unusual damage to your flooring, you’ll need to address it immediately, or it will worsen. For example, if something has snagged your carpet, clip it immediately. If you pull, it will cause more damage; if you ignore it, it will only worsen. Or, if you damage a plank in your LVP, you’ll be able to remove and replace it before it worsens.
Maintaining your floors will help them last for a long time, ensuring even more value. And, with a bit of forethought, you can make sure you’re selecting floors that will