Sometimes floors don’t get enough respect. After all, we walk all over them. They’re especially hard hit in the winter, when all sorts of snow, ice and dirt follow us into the home. It’s not just our flooring that takes a beating; our carpets and even our area rugs suffer as well.

When the spring weather comes around and the air feels fresher, we all feel a little more cheerful. It’s a great time to make your floors happier, too. A thorough spring cleaning reinvigorates those surfaces so that they’ll give you years of great service. Here are some tips on how to make them look their best now and into the future.

Spring Cleaning for Flooring

Hardwood, tile, vinyl and laminate don’t all get cleaned exactly the same way, but there are a few spring cleaning principles they have in common.

• Start by giving the surface a good sweeping.
• Always follow the manufacturer's instructions. Don’t use products or tools that could damage the floor.
• Check the floor protectors on the legs of your chairs, tables and any other furniture. Center them properly. If they’re worn, replace them. Not using floor protectors? Now’s the time to start: put the kibosh on scratches and wear marks.
• You’re probably already using area rugs or mats at doorways to the outside, but you can put the icing on your spring fresh-up by treating yourself to some snappy new ones!

How to Clean Hardwood Floors

In addition to sweeping, a microfiber dry mop lifts dust from the surface. Never wet mop a wood floor. Vacuuming works, but be careful! Use a “floor mode” so the bristles are raised and the machine cleans by suction only. Or use an attachment. Also, rubber vacuum wheels are easier on the floor than plastic.

Now it’s time to clean, repair scratches and polish. Stick to products and techniques approved by the manufacturer. Never use an abrasive cleaner. One tip: avoid overwaxing! If the surface appears dull, buffing may yield better results than more wax.

How to Clean Tile Floors

As with wood, you can use a microfiber dry mop as well as a broom. And it’s OK to vacuum as long as you don’t do it with bristles. You may mop or clean with a wet cloth, using a little bit of warm water, but don’t let water stand. Be careful of a sponge mop because it can push dirt into the grout. For a stubbornly dirty tile floor, use a manufacturer-recommended cleaner.

Don’t neglect the grout. It’s porous, so it soaks up dirt and strains the way tile doesn’t. An old toothbrush with a baking soda paste might pick up some grunge. To discourage grunge from coming back, apply grout sealer.

How to Clean Vinyl Floors

Modern luxury vinyl is waterproof. And its low maintenance, so the spring refresh won’t take a huge effort. After you’ve swept with a broom or dry mop, mop with a manufacturer-approved cleanser. Then do a second mopping with plain water to get rid of residue. Water should be warm but not hot. You can use a soft brush on stains but avoid anything with hard bristles.

How to Clean Laminate Floors

Unlike vinyl, laminate is not waterproof, so be extra cautious with water. You can sweep it, you can dry mop it and it’s OK to wipe it with a damp cloth. Be sure you let it dry completely: laminate is slippery when wet!

How to Clean Carpet

Start with a good vacuuming. Use the attachments to get into all the corners. A carpet needs shampooing and cleaning at least every 18-24 months, so if you didn’t do one last year, it’s time. If traffic is heavy, shampoo every year. A professional cleaning is the best choice. If you do it yourself, follow all the recommendations, both from the carpet manufacturer and for the machine you’re using. Ventilate well, open windows, use fans. Work toward the door. Get out as much water as you can: make as many passes as it takes. Stay off the carpet and don’t replace furniture for 6-12 hours.

Spring Cleaning for Area Rugs

Start by vacuuming your rug. In fact, handmade wool area rugs should be vacuumed once or twice a week for the first year to remove the excess fibers that accumulate on the rug surface. After the first year and with synthetic rugs, continue to vacuum regularly, as dirt and dust can eventually break down fibers. Avoid vacuum cleaners with heavy suction and don’t use beater bars, if possible (raise it to the highest setting if you must). They can damage the facing; use attachments instead.

Area rugs need rotating to save on wear. It should happen at least once a year (twice if there’s heavy traffic), so include it on your spring cleaning to-do list. And when was the last time those rugs were cleaned by a pro? This should happen every 3-5 years.

Consider buying yourself and your rugs a spring present. A Capture Rug & Carpet Cleaning Kit has everything you need to maintain your rug not only this spring but all through the year. If you’ve found it a hassle to keep up with spills and stains, this tool has the answers. It’s safe for kids and pets, too.

Are you using a rug pad? If not, make this the year you start. It protects the floor and prevents slippage, extending the life of the rug as well. Remember, there are different rug pads for all situations. An area rug specialist can help you make the right selection.

Think about Next Year’s Spring Cleaning

An exam’s easier if you don’t wait until the night before to study, and spring cleaning is easier if you keep up with routine tasks all through the year. Do your regular vacuuming, sweeping and cleaning. Attend to spills and stains immediately. Always use rug pads and chair leg protectors. Keep your surfaces in good shape all year round, give them a little extra love in the spring and you’ll be walking all over them well into the future.

Read the other posts in our Spring Cleaning series to discover tips for a painless deep clean for your entire home.