General Maintenance

How often cleaning is required will of course depend on how much daily usage the area gets.

Sweep as necessary with a soft broom. Care must be taken if using a vacuum cleaner.

Wipe over with a clean damp mop or cloth, which should be rinsed frequently in clean water. (Remember that most floors will be slippery when wet.)

When necessary wash with a solution of clean water and mild detergent or domestic floor cleaning solution*. Rinse thoroughly and soak up residual water.

Cushion floors with an additional protective coating such as Armstrong Rhinoguard or Rhinogrip do not require polish. Other cushion floors without these coatings will require polishing to protect the floors surface from staining agents and to give a surface shine. For such floors apply a liquid emulsion floor polish** immediately after installation and thereafter at 3 to 6 monthly intervals as required. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using a floor polish or cleaner.
 

*Do not use: Cream or abrasive cleaners. Wire or nylon wool scouring pads. Bleach or strong detergents. Furniture polish. Spirit based polish. Powder or liquid abrasives.
** Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions, and check that the polish is suitable for use with cushioned vinyl floor coverings.

Protecting your floor

From Physical Damage:
Avoid the following
Indentation marks from high pressure points, for example, cookers, washing machines and other appliances; these can be placed on hardboard sheets or caster cups.
Stiletto heels will damage the flooring.
Tear or scuff damage can result from dragging heavy appliances across the floor. This can be avoided by placing a sheet of hardboard beneath such units before repositioning them.
Sharp Objects can puncture the surface of the floor.
Hot or burning objects may scorch or blister the surface of the floor.
Abrasion from grit can be prevented by placing a door mat by external doorways . This will also reduce unnecessary cleaning (See stain damage notes below).


From Stain Damage
Avoid the following
Rubber backing on doormats may result in yellow discolouration of the floor immediately underneath. Choose a natural fibre mat in preference.
Rubber feet on furniture may cause staining. Remove them altogether or place coaters between them and the floor.
Spirit-based products such as shoe polish, solvents, hair dye and permanent marker pens. Wipe up spots and marks as quickly as possible. Also applies to turmeric mustard and strongly coloured foodstuffs.
Corrosive substances such as acid and alkaline solutions can damage the surface of the floor. Clean up any spills as quickly as possible, carefully avoiding direct contact with the substance.
Bitumen / Tar from fresh resurfaced or melted roads and pathways.
Some inexpensive shoe and slipper rubber soles can also cause stains over time.