6 Cleaning Tricks That Will Keep Your Floors Clean For Longer, Pros Say

Tile. Hardwood. LVP. Carpet. There are various types of flooring you might find across your home with different maintenance needs, but one thing is true across all options: they’re all the perfect place for dirt and tiny particles to call home.

And, once dirt is tracked onto your floors or spills land on your carpet, the race is on to clean up the mess before your flooring becomes damaged.

Cleaning your floors is a task that never stops, but there are ways you can lower the frequency of how often you’re vacuuming or mopping. We spoke to several professional cleaners about how to keep floors cleaner for longer, and these are the six tricks they say work every time.

Create a ”No Shoe” Policy

It can feel awkward asking guests to take their shoes off when they enter your home, but all of our pros say this is crucial for keeping dirt and other particles off your floors.

“This is hands-down the easiest and most effective thing you can do for any type of flooring,” says cleaner expert Rosa Picosa. “By creating a ‘no shoes indoors’ zone, you drastically cut down on the dirt that makes it onto your floors, meaning less deep cleaning for both your beautiful hardwoods and cozy carpets.”

She recommends placing a shoe rack nearby to place your kicks on as soon as you (or your guest) come in the door.

Use the Right Cleaners

While setting aside the time to clean your floors is great, our experts recommend going a step further by making sure you use the right products. Depending on the material of your floors, certain cleaners can cause more damage because of how the planks or material reacts to the ingredients.

“Don’t use strong cleaners that can strip finish or wood planks,” cleaning expert Scott Schrader says. “With carpets, use only pH-balanced cleaners that don’t leave any residue. This will attract dirt back faster.”

Clean Up Spills ASAP

Let’s face it: spills are inevitable. The key to not letting food or drink damage your floors is how quickly you act to clean up the mess before any liquid sets in.

Schrader says moisture is the enemy of hardwood and carpets.

“Both can stain and attract dirt easily once they’re soiled,” he adds. “To clean spills off carpet, blot at the stain with a paper towel and don’t rub in any liquid substance. For hardwoods, use a slightly damp cloth followed immediately with a dry wipe.”

Stick to a Weekly Routine

If you don’t already have a weekly cleaning routine in place for your floors, Picosa recommends adopting one.

A short weekly routine of about 10 minutes can significantly extend the freshness of your floors beyond standard vacuuming, she says. Hardwood floors may just need a quick dusting or damp mop in busy areas, and carpets benefit from checking for new stains and treating them immediately. By staying consistent, you avoid dirt buildup that requires a major cleaning later

Say No to Steam Mops

Using a steam mop may seem like a no-brainer when it’s time to deep clean your floors, but according to Miguel Harris, Co-Owner of Floor Coverings International, these tools actually do more harm than good.

“Avoid steam mops on hardwood floors at all costs,” he says. “Their excessive heat and moisture can damage the flooring and cause warping or rotting if you have real hardwood planks.”

Instead, use a mop with a microfiber pad and pH-neutral cleaner. Or, you can make your own cleaner with warm water and a few drops of dish soap.

Place Doormats At All Entrances

According to Picoa, doormats are your best friend when it comes to limiting the amount of dirt or outside particles that land their place on your floors.

She suggests treating doormats as the first defense, since they catch dirt, moisture, and debris before it spreads. In carpeted, high-traffic areas, she recommends using area rugs as a protective layer that absorbs wear and dirt, which can be easily shaken out or vacuumed to preserve the carpet.