Floor Covering Care Tips

Vinyl	Laminate	Hardwood
HELPFUL PROCEDURES Use door mats outside each entrance to your home to prevent dirt, sand, grit, and other substances such as oil, asphalt and driveway sealer from being tracked onto your floor.  Use non-staining mats on your floor.  Do not put rubber-backed, latex-backed, or cocofiber mats on your floor because they will stain or damage the surface. To minimize potential staining from asphalt tracking, we suggest you use a latex-based driveway sealer. Close your curtains or blinds where extreme sunlight hits the floor.  A combination of heat and sunlight causes most home furnishings, including vinyl floors, to fade or discolor. Support furniture with wide-bearing, non-staining floor protectors.  Ideally, the protectors should be at least one inch in diameter, made of non-pigmented, hard plastic, and rest flat on the floor.  Non-staining felt protectors are also acceptable.  Caster with a minimum 3/4" flat surface width or floor protectors are recommended for all moveable furniture.  Make sure any metal protectors are rustproof.  Replace your narrow dome furniture rests with wide-bearing ones. If you need to move heavy furniture and/or appliances, such as your refrigerator across the floor, always use strips of wood or hardwood runways to protect the floor.  Always use runways even if you have an appliance dolly, or even if the heavy objects are equipped with wheels or rollers. MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES Sweep your floor regularly (at least once per week). Prevent stains by wiping up spills promptly. Occasional mopping with Mannington Award Series® Cleaner (available at Kitchen and Floor Decor) is recommended when dirt builds up and sweeping alone is not sufficient.  Use a solution of 2 to 3 capfuls of Award Series Cleaner (or clear, non-sudsy ammonia) in one gallon of warm water.  Use of more than the recommended amount of cleaning solution may leave a dulling film.  Do not use soap or detergent products as they will leave a dulling film.  Rinsing is not required when using Mannington Award Series Cleaner, but if time permits, rinsing will provide the best care.	HELPFUL PROCEDURES Use door mats outside each entrance to your home to prevent dirt, sand, grit, and other substances such as oil, asphalt and driveway sealer from being tracked onto your floor.  Use non-staining mats on your floor.  Do not put rubber-backed, latex-backed, or cocofiber mats on your floor because they will stain or damage the surface. To minimize potential staining from asphalt tracking, we suggest you use a latex-based driveway sealer. Close your curtains or blinds where extreme sunlight hits the floor.  A combination of heat and sunlight causes most home furnishings, including vinyl floors, to fade or discolor. Support furniture with wide-bearing, non-staining floor protectors.  Ideally, the protectors should be at least one inch in diameter, made of non-pigmented, hard plastic, and rest flat on the floor.  Non-staining felt protectors are also acceptable.  Caster with a minimum 3/4" flat surface width or floor protectors are recommended for all moveable furniture.  Make sure any metal protectors are rustproof.  Replace your narrow dome furniture rests with wide-bearing ones. If you need to move heavy furniture and/or appliances, such as your refrigerator across the floor, always use strips of wood or hardwood runways to protect the floor.  Always use runways even if you have an appliance dolly, or even if the heavy objects are equipped with wheels or rollers. MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES A Mannington Laminate Floor is the closest thing there is to a "maintenance free" floor. The melamine impregnated surface with aluminum oxide makes it resistant to dirt and dust. Ordinary vacuuming or sweeping is usually sufficient to keep the floor clean.  If needed, an occasional cleaning with a light damp mop or cloth dampened with a solution of Mannington Award Series® Cleaner is recommended.  Never flood the floor with water. Do not use soap-based detergents, as these may leave a dull finish on your floor. Do not use abrasive cleaners, steel wool or scouring powder, as these may scratch your floor. IMPORTANT--Never wax, polish, sand or lacquer a Mannington Laminate Floor.	PROTECTING YOUR INVESTMENT Use quality vinyl back area rugs and door mats by outdoor entrance areas to prevent dirt, sand, grit and other substances such as oil, asphalt or driveway sealer from being tracked onto your floor. Use floor protectors and wide-bearing leg bases/rollers to minimize indentations from heavy objects.  As a rule of thumb, the heavier the item, the wider the floor protector should be. Maintain a normal indoor relative humidity level of 40% to 60% throughout the year, to minimize the natural expansion and contraction of wood. Avoid gouges or cuts in your floor from sharp objects.  While your wood floor is the most wear-resistant floor on the market, sharp or pointed objects can nevertheless damage it. Don't walk on your floor with "stiletto-style" heel; they may cause indentations. Rearrange rugs and furniture periodically so the floor ages evenly.  UV sunlight will change the color of different species to varying degrees. Keep pet's nails trimmed and filed in order to minimize indentations. Use a dolly with wide-base air-tires when moving heavy appliances or furniture.  But first, put down a clean sheet of quarter-inch plywood or masonite to protect the floor.  Never try to slide or roll heavy objects across the floor without precautions. CLEANING Blot up spills and spots immediately. Vacuum, dust, mop or sweep the floor to minimize abrasive grit and dirt.  Note: Do not use vacuum with beater bars. Occasionally wipe the floor with a wrung-out damp sponge-mop or cloth. Periodically clean the floor with floor cleaner, specially formulated for ceramic-based finishes. DO NOT use wax, polish or abrasive cleaners, steel wool or scouring powder. REPAIRING Minor damage can be easily repaired with finishing putty available in matching colors. For more extensive damage, your friends at Kitchen & Floor Decor can recommend a professional who can replace individual boards or an entire area with new flooring.  Generally, even extensive replacement is a simple procedure.
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