Ultimate Cleaning Guide
Cleaning your floor doesn't have to involve a bucket and mop any longer. Flooring has been revolutionized to be easier to clean and maintain, so you have more time to spend with the ones you love. It's important to maintain your flooring the proper way, not only to make it clean but also to keep your warranty valid.
Hardwood
Hardwood Maintenance
Hardwood flooring is a little more maintenance, but so worth it to make your hardwood floors look even more radiant.
Routine Cleaning-Weekly
Remove dust and debris with a dry microfiber dusting pad, vacuum, or broom. (Remember to turn the beater bar off on your vacuum!)
Clean tough spots with a damp rag by hand, if you have something stuck on the hardwood, for example, some stuck on gum, use a plastic spatula and gently wiggle it under the debris until it comes off.
Spray the cleaning solution across the area you are about to clean, then mop with the microfiber cleaning pad. For large areas, rinse and clean or swap out to a clean pad, as it becomes dirty.
Rinse the cleaning pad with warm soapy water or throw it in the washing machine.
(always make sure there is no soap residue on your cleaning pad)
NEVER USE steam mops, soap, multi-purpose cleaners, beater bars on the vacuum, or the wrong cleaner on your hardwood floors. This could ruin your protective top layer, causing fading, discoloration, and further damage to the hardwood.
WHEN TO CLEAN
Daily/Weekly - High traffic areas like kitchens, hallways, entryways, and living areas need the most attention.
Right Away - Wipe up spills with a rag or paper towels. Stains & grime will get harder to clean the longer you wait. (We have found that keeping a designated "floor rag" is very helpful.)
As Needed - Low traffic areas can be cleaned as you see dirt and dust.
It's best to keep floor mats at entryways to lessen the amount of liquid damage.
Use floor protectors on furniture to reduce indentation. The heavier the item, the wider the floor protector needed.
Cleaning Guide/Products recommended by The Master's Craft
RealCleanFloors & Bona ( we also carry woodpecker)
*Below are some educational guides from The Master's Craft, you can zoom in on your phone or computer if you need a closer look*
Ceramic-Glass-Porcelain
Tile is something that must be maintained in a specific manner, follow these guidelines and your tile will sparkle!
*For tough grime, use a cleaning brush and warm water and vinegar and start scrubbing and watch the grime disappear!*
Glazed Floor Tile
Routine cleaning is simply sweeping and damp mopping with clean water and neutral cleaner formulated for glazed tile. Remember to change the mop water frequently, depending on how soiled the tile is, you should use a heavy-duty neutral cleaner and you may have to scrub depending on the texture of the tile.
Glazed Wall Tile
Routine cleaning - With a damp cloth or sponge, using a neutral cleaner meant for glazed tile is acceptable as long as you rinse any residue with clean water. In the shower, you will need to clean more frequently in order to remove soap scum, body oils, and hard water deposit buildup. In the shower, you will spray your neutral glazed tile cleaner, let it sit for 3-5 minutes, then rinse. If your tile has been neglected for a long period of time, a solution of heavy-duty neutral cleaner for glazed tile is recommended
Glazed Wall Tile
Routine cleaning will be wiping with a damp cloth or sponge. Using a neutral cleaner meant for glazed tile is acceptable as long as you rinse any residue with clean water. In the shower, you will need to clean more frequently in order to remove soap scum, body oils and hard water deposit buildup. In the shower you will spray your neutral glazed tile cleaner, let it sit for 3-5 minutes, then rinse. If your tile has been neglected for a long period of time, a solution of heavy duty neutral cleaner for glazed tile is recommended
Glass Wall Tile
Using a soft clean cloth with warm water or a non-abrasive cleaner formulated for glass. Do not use any cleaners with abrasive agents as these can scratch the tile.
Unglazed Floor Tile
Unglazed mosaic, porcelain, or quarry tile cleaning is similar to glazed, it should be dust swept and damp mopped with clean water and mild neutral cleaner formulated for tile. If you have heavy soiling, you will need to use the same cleaner and scrub the surface depending on the texture. As unglazed quarry tile ages, a patina forms on the surface and creates a soft shine and keeps the floors looking fresh longer.
Cleaning & Maintenance Links
Carpet
Carpet
Carpet is something that can be easily taken care of, you just need a few pointers.
*You must have your carpet professionally cleaned every year to keep your warranty intact, don't forget to keep the receipt!*
Vacuum frequently.
The best way to reduce dirt and dust is to vacuum! Make sure to use a vacuum with an adjustable beater bar, you want the beater bar to just touch the top of your carpet. (If it feels like you are dragging your carpet through sand, you need to raise your beater bar!)
Spills
No carpet is stain proof, although many are stain-resistant.
- Scrape - Remove as much of the debris as possible by gently scraping it up with a spoon.
- Absorb - Absorb the spill as quickly as you can get to it by blotting with a paper or cloth towel repeatedly
- Blot - Always blot; never rub or scrub. Work from the outer edge of the spill and work your way in to avoid spreading the spill.
- Rinse - Always follow up with water to remove any residue from the spill, it could become sticky and cause re-soiling
- Weight - Remove remaining moisture by placing several layers of paper/cloth towels over the spot and weigh them down with a heavy object that will not transfer color, such as a plastic jug of water.
For your vacuum to conform to the highest industry standards, make sure it is certified through the Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) Seal of Approval/Green Label Vacuum Cleaner Program.
Luxury Vinyl
Luxury Vinyl Planks & Tiles
Low Maintenance Flooring
Vinyl flooring is easy to maintain, making it perfect for families and pets.
Routine Cleaning
Sweep or vacuum regularly and do not use the beater bar on your vacuum.
Clean your floor occasionally with a spray mop with Armstrong Once 'n' Done or a "NO RINSE" cleaner or simply water and vinegar. Ditch the water bucket and mop! Spray your floor with the cleaner and wipe clean with a microfiber head system.
NEVER USE A STEAM MOP this will damage the protective layer of your flooring.
Floor Protection Tips
Use floor protectors on furniture to reduce indentation. The heavier the item, the wider the floor protector needed.
Opt for non-staining polypropylene rugs or colorfast woven rugs. We discourage the use of rubber-backed or latex-backed mats as they can cause discoloration of the floor.
Brands we love (Lidman/Swiffer/ We do sell Armstrong Once 'n' Done)
Having a Cleaning Emergency?
Do you need help cleaning up a specific spill?
We are here to help!
Call us at 217-774-5295 and we can help solve the spill emergency.
If you have an urgent spill and we are closed, go to
We also have copies of all our companies maintenance guides if you would like a copy emailed to you, please send us an email, we would be happy to send you some information.