Sunday, February 21, 2010

Environmentally Friendly Floor Cleaning

Cleaning your floors is an essential part of household hygiene. However, the conventional cleaning products available might be harmful to the health of your family. You might be constantly polluting your house without being aware of it. You should start using the following green floor cleaning techniques before it gets too late.

Studies have shown the level of indoor pollution to be significantly higher than outside. This is primarily due to the presence of ingredients like formaldehyde and chloroform. The first step in indoor cleanliness is eliminating dust. Use mats near the front door to clean off shoes. Use a good vacuum cleaner regularly to remove dust. Green floor cleaning techniques vary based on the floor type.

Ceramic floors need to have the tiles cleaned with water before using any kind of cleaner. This stops the toxic chemicals from getting deposited. Apply some detergent with a low pH value and warm water to wipe up the surface. Strong cleaning agents could destroy the smooth finish of ceramic floors. Stay away from cleaners with high acidic content that can corrode the surface. Make sure to clear out all traces of the chemical cleaners after every round of cleaning.

Laminated floors have printed paper covering a layer of melamine. Avoid cleaners with soapy or alkaline content. Cleaners, which scour the surface too much, can permanently damage the floor. Using a mop to remove the layers of dust is recommended before applying anything. Linoleum or Vinyl based floors are generally soft. A baking powder paste should be used to remove blemishes on the floor instead of scouring agents. A mild dish cleaner solution or a mix of vinegar and water are recommended for wiping away stains or enhance the surface glaze.

Wooden floors can be of different kinds. Mixing a quarter cup of dish washing liquid to warm water, which can be applied using a moist mop, can clean the ones with a lustrous finish. It should be made sure that puddles do not form around the floor as it can spoil the quality of the floor. Wooden floors with penetrating finish are different with their texture varying based on embedded oils or resins. Use citrus based solvents instead of spirits or turpentine. Never use water on such floors. Water drops can leave marks on the floor. Natural citrus solvents and fine steel wool followed by jojoba oil can remove this. Green floor cleaning techniques are easy to incorporate in your daily lives. All you need is the knowledge and the desire to follow the methods.



Autor: Thomas Lape

Added: February 21, 2010
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

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