When deciding what type of flooring is right for your home, a primary consideration is likely to be how easy your floors will be to clean.
After all, whether you choose carpet or hardwood, it’s an investment and you want it to last.
You want your home to look good and retain its value, and you don’t want to have to walk around like you’re in a museum.
However, there are complexities in this matter. You should consider what type of clutter your home is most prone to, as different forms of clutter pose different levels of the problem for carpets and hardwood floors. equivalent to carpet shampoo vs steam mop.
You need to consider which room the floor is in as part of this thought process.
You’re likely to see vastly different floor clutter in kitchens and foyers compared to living rooms and bedrooms. You should also take into account who you live with. Children can play a role in decision making and pets can also be a factor.
Knowing how to clean your carpeted and hardwood floors will help you make a decision about which type of flooring is right for your home.
See also: How to Steam Clean a Carpet (Detailed Self-Cleaning Guide)
Laminate flooring
In a very basic sense, hardwood floors are easier to clean than carpet. Hardwood doesn’t collect as much dust and dirt as carpets, and all you need to do is sweep to restore its cleanliness. Liquid spills are infinitely easier to clean up since you can wipe them up with a towel or mop and they won’t soak through like they would carpet.
On the other hand, hardwood floors show dirt much more easily than carpets, so you may have to work even harder to keep your hardwood floors clean than your carpet. Hardwood floors are also prone to scratching, a problem you won’t face with carpeted floors. Be sure to pad the bottom of furniture before moving it if you have hardwood floors.
This is a particularly difficult choice for pet owners. Wood floors make it very easy to sweep up any hair your pet might shed. On the other hand, you might worry about a pet’s nails scratching the expensive wood. Pets are also often eager to walk on hardwood as they cannot get traction. These are all factors that you should take into account.
See also: DIY Tips for Repairing Damage to Walls, Floors, and Carpets While Moving
carpeted floors
Carpet installation is significantly less expensive than hardwood, but it does come with its own set of complications. Although rugs can do a decent job of hiding small amounts of dust, dirt, and pet hair, they will eventually start to build up. You may want to shampoo your carpet once or twice a year. It’s also a good idea to get a powerful vacuum, like the ZeroG Vac, with a power brush, the ability to work on stairs as well as flat ground, and great for picking up pet hair. The ZeroG vac uses floating technology instead of wheels, so it’s also safe to use on your hardwood floor without fear of dents or scratches.
Whichever type of floor you choose, be sure to select the proper procedures to keep it clean and free of dust and pet hair. These procedures include, but are not limited to:
- Investing in a good vacuum. When you buy your vacuum, make sure it’s designed for use on surfaces in your home. A vacuum that is not designed to work on hardwood floors could end up damaging them.
- regular cleaning. Make sure your cleaning methods won’t damage the floor. Browse all the products and make sure you know what you are using on your floors. You should also ask when installing your floors what are the most effective cleaning methods. Remember that carpets can collect dirt without it being visibly visible, so even if it doesn’t look dirty to you, vacuuming is a good idea.
- Carefully handling mishaps. No matter how careful you are, accidents are bound to happen. Have a plan ahead of time so that if something is spilled or scraped, you don’t panic and make things worse. Knowing what to do and taking quick action can save the quality of your floor.
Make careful decisions and take good care of your floors. Doing so will maintain the value of your home and keep it an attractive and enjoyable place to live.
