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May 3, 2012 on 5:41 pm
What Gloss Level Should I Use On My Floor? When selecting a gloss level for wood, laminate or vinyl flooring consider these factors… High-gloss provides a bright finish that reflects the most light which will highlight scuffs, scratches and other marks. Heavy foot-traffic, high-heel shoes, rolling carts and pets will show wear on a high-gloss finish. With frequent routine maintenance a high-gloss shine can be successfully maintained. Matte (or Satin) finish has the lowest available shine because it absorbs the most light. The shine is often referred to as being a “natural” shine. This low luster makes marks, scuffs and scratches less noticeable. Matte or satin finish level requires less maintenance and re-coating than high or semi-gloss finishes. Semi-gloss or (Low-gloss) provides modest shine to a floor while requiring less maintenance than its high-gloss counterpart. Semi-gloss has more pizzaz than a matte finish. When deciding on gloss level for a floor, consider the following:
Here are some top brands of flooring finishes: Wood/ Cork: Bona Hardwood, Basic Coatings, Bruce Fresh Finish, LOBA® Stone/ Tile/ Laminate: Bona Stone, Tile & Laminate, Aqua Mix, DuPont™ StoneTech® Resilient/ Vinyl/ Linoleum: Mannington Award Series®, Diversey, Congoleum, Armstrong Once ‘n Done, Forbo Marmoleum, Domco Sure Shine, Lonseal Lonfinish, Metroflor, Hilway Direct, Spartan
June 30, 2011 on 5:50 pm
Mannington Ultra Clean NOW AVAILABLE! The first truckload of New & Improved Mannington Ultra Clean has just delivered to our warehouse. Our Fulfillment Associates are packing orders for Ultra Clean as quickly as possible. If you haven’t already done so, PLACE YOUR ORDER NOW! The new, improved Mannington Ultra Clean has been formulated to clean a broader range of Mannington residential floors including no-wax hardwood, laminate, Adura® and porcelain. Like the original formula, this cleaner is non-toxic, water-based, leaves NO dulling residue and is still available in a 32oz Spray Bottle. Use the coupon code MUCNEW to take 15% off on your next purchase of Mannington Ultra Clean 32 oz spray. Our way of saying, “We appreciate your business!” Your time is limited so place your order today! Coupon expires July 31, 2011.
February 1, 2011 on 2:46 pm
The first line of attack in keeping snow, ice & ice melt products off of a floor is to have clean walk-off mats at each entry door. If possible, keep a mat in the garage, warehouse or covered porch to catch water and debris from shoes before they enter the living or working space. Have another mat inside the entry door where shoes & boots can be removed when they are wet. Even if shoes don’t seem wet it is best to remove them this time of year because ice melt products such as rock salt, ice melt pellets and sand become stuck in the treads of shoes and track throughout your home or business. Keep a dry rag or paper towels near the entry to conveniently wipe up puddles right away. Prevent small particles of dirt & debris from scratching hard surface floors by sweeping or vacuuming frequently. Carpets can be especially challenging because particles of debris fall into the carpet fibers and are not always visible. Vacuuming carpet routinely is especially important this time of year because the ice melt particles could damage the carpet fibers. Have an appropriate cleaning product on hand to spot clean residue left behind from melted rock salt or ice melt pellets before they have a chance to damage the floor. Different types & brands of floors require different cleaning products so choose the cleaning materials that are right for your floor. Here are some of the best sellers in our store that might fit this need: Mannington Ultra Clean, Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner, Congoleum Bright ‘N Easy No-Rinse Cleaner (pre-mix in a spray bottle), Wilsonart Laminate Floor Cleaner (only avail as concentrate, mix in a spray bottle), DuPont™ StoneTech® Revitalizer® Cleaner and Protector, Host Carpet Dry Cleaner. If you don’t find the right product for your floor, browse our website by floor type or brand or call us for assistance at 1-877-FLOORGUY (1-877-356-6748). To sum up winter floor care, do the following on a daily basis:
Follow these tips to keep your floors looking good all winter long!
January 13, 2011 on 6:25 pm
Wilsonart Flooring has a branded cleaner for use in maintaining their laminate floors. This cleaner is still available as a concentrated cleaner. Wilsonart recongnizes www.1877floorguy.com as a reliable source for Wilsonart Flooring maintenance products:
Wilsonart Laminate Floor Cleaner concentrate is available in 32oz Concentrate or Gallon Concentrate. Dilution ratios are shown on each bottle of cleaner. Mix solution in a generic spray bottle and use with Bona Microfiber Mop for best results. If you have any questions about proper care for your Wilsonart Laminate Floor, call us at 1-877-356-6748.
December 2, 2010 on 4:34 pm
Using the wrong type of cleaning solution on a hardwood or laminate floor may result in oil residue that looks murky or hazy. These cleaners often contain acrylic polish which requires mineral spirits to remove the film left behind. For removing acrylic polish and other wax-residue left by product such as Mop & Glo or Orange Glo follow these directions. Test this method in an inconspicuous area before treating the entire floor. Consult the flooring manufacturer for their recommended cleaning methods. Preparation & Materials:
Mix in a bucket (8:1) 16 oz (2 cups) of ammonia to 1 gallon of Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner or 1 gallon of Bona Stone, Tile & Laminate Cleaner. Directions:
Important Warnings & Advisements:
Other types of flooring, such as vinyl or ceramic tile, can often handle more aggessive cleaning agents than wood and laminate floors. If you’ve got a similar problem with a type of floor not addressed in these instructions, contact us at help@1877floorguy.com or 1-877-356-6748. We’ll direct you to the best solution for your floor.
December 1, 2010 on 5:43 pm
Includes questions regarding Bona, Bruce, Uniclic, Quick Step, Award Wearmax. We get emails all the time from customers with common and unique floorcare questions. We answer these questions directly to the customer who asks and we post many of them on Facebook and (more briefly) on Twitter. If you find the following hardwood & laminate floorcare tips helpful log onto Facebook and “Like Us” or Twitter and “Follow Us” for answers to all types of flooring questions. We post Q & A’s a few times each week. Q: I cleaned my hardwood floor with Orange Glo and it left an ugly residue. Is there anything that will get this off? A: Click on this link for directions that will help you remove the Orange Glo from you floor, Removing Acrylic Polishes from Hardwood Floors & Other Hardsurface Floors.
Q: When I take up the rugs from my hardwood floors I can tell that the wood under the rugs is lighter than the rest of my floor. Is this due to sunlight? Is there anything I can do to darken the light areas? A: Yes, exposure to daylight does cause wood to darken. The areas covered by rugs aren’t able to darken. Remove the rugs completely or move them every so often so these areas get exposed to daylight.
Q: My Uniclic-Quickstep Laminate Floor (installed ‘07) has worn very well however the cleaner I am using, given to me by the contractor who installed my floor, leaves an oily film. What do you recommend to clean the residue and shine the floor as it should? A: Quick Step has floor care products to clean and maintain Uniclic Floors. As far as restoring any luster that may have been lost with the wrong cleaning products, try Bona Stone, Tile & Laminate Floor Polish to restore shine. We suggest that you test all products in an inconspicuous area to be sure they bond properly and give the right sheen before you treat the entire area.
Q: Bona Hardwood Floor Refresher says that it CANNOT BE USED after Bona Hardwood Floor Polish has been applied to the floor. Does that mean if the polish has EVER been used on the floor? What if I use the cleaner (for a thorough clean) and then Refresher even though I have used the Bona Polish in the past? If not, what can I do to bring the shine back to my dull hardwood floor? A: This is a great question that we get often. If Bona Polish has been applied to the floor, EVER, you CANNOT use Refresher BECAUSE it will leave a white film or haze on the floor. You CAN apply Bona Polish, Low or High Gloss, again to rejuvenate your hardwood floor. This can be done periodically to bring the shine back to your floor. Frequency depends on the amount of traffic on your floor so it may be every few months or every few years.
Q: A couple months ago I ordered a Quick Step Floor Care Kit for my Quick Step Laminate Floor. The cleaner and mop work very well. I have noticed, however, that Bona also sells a laminate floor cleaner. As long as my laminate floor is Quick Step, should I stick with the Quick Step Quick Clean, or will Bona work just as well? A: Flooring manufacturers often formulate their cleaning products to provide optimum care for the floor they are intended to maintain and using these products will uphold your floor’s warranty should you ever need it. Other cleaning products may contain ingredients potentially harmful to your floor. Quick Step and Bona are both quality laminate floor cleaners however in this case we recommend you stay with the QuickStep Floorcare Products.
Q: I have an Award Hardwood Floor with the Wearmax Ceramic Finish. I have ordered the recommended Wear Max Cleaner from you in the past and see that it is now discontinued. What should I use to clean my Award wood floor? A: Recommended replacement is Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner. Use a Microfiber Mop with the cleaner. Mop package comes with a dusting pad which can be used dry to dust the floor periodically & before mopping.
Q: I’m looking to buy a Bona Professional Floor Mop. Do you carry this product? It looks like you carry just about everything for the “Bona System”. A: Likely you’re looking for the 18″ Professional Mop which is sold in a kit. In addition to that we carry several Bona floor mops on our website in the Bona Mops, Pads & Covers Section including a 15″ Residential Mop Set and an all-in-one Spray Mop.
Q: I have 8 year old Bruce hardwood floors throughout my home. It seems that I have, over the years, used products that have built up on the wood floor leaving a film. What cleaner do you recommend to remove the film then keep the floors looking great? A: Bruce has their own line of maintenance product recommend for use on their wood floors. Presuming your floor is urethane coated hardwood, you’ll want to use the Bruce Hardwood & Laminate Cleaner, avail in 2 sizes- 32oz Spray & 64oz Refill. This cleaner should lift the residue on your floor and leave it residue and streak free. You’ll likely need to put more pressure on the mop than you typically would and go over it a several times if the buildup is heavy from years of other cleaners. Bruce also has Fresh Finish Floor Polish that will refresh the shine on your floor once it is thoroughly cleaned.
Q: How do I get an MSDS for a product on your website? A: Many of our products have an MSDS link located at the end of the product’s description. If you are viewing a product that does not have an MSDS, contact us via email at help@1877floorguy.com or call 1-877-356-6748 and we’ll forward the information to you.
Remember to “Like Us” on Facebook or “Follow Us” on Twitter for answers to all types of flooring questions! We post Q & A’s a few times each week.
September 29, 2010 on 3:29 pm
Pergo has discontinued its branded laminate floor cleaner.Recommended replacement: Bona Stone, Tile & Laminate Cleaner is proven effective on Pergo Laminate flooring and available in a variety of sizes to meet your needs. Bona Stone, Tile & Laminate Cleaner is non-streaking, neutral, safe and environmentally friendly. Bona products are conveniently packaged in REFILLABLE, RECYCLEABLE containers that provides convenience, sustainability and economy in 32oz Spray Bottle, Spray Mop Cartridge and Gallon Refill containers. Bona Features:
Directions For Use:Note: Cleaner dries quickly so spraying too large of an area will result in a sticky floor. Re-clean a sticky area, wiping with microfiber mop immediately after spraying. Also available:Coupon Code “FGBLOG” will give you 10% off your next purchase from www.1877floorguy.com so take this opportunity to stock up on Bona Stone, Tile & Laminate Cleaner for your Pergo Laminate Floor.
September 7, 2010 on 3:53 pm
Autumn the perfect time to get back to floorcare routines that keep your floors looking GREAT. It may even be time for your floor to get an extra bit of TLC to really shine before the winter holidays set in. There are many types of floors that require different routines however they all have one thing in common-
Many flooring manufacturers maintain care instructions on their websites for easy reference. Some recommend specific floor care products for cleaning and maintenance. The floor’s warranty will tell you if using a specific product is required in order to uphold the manufacturer’s warranty. Look up instructions for your floor if you know who made it. Hardsurface floors:Sweep or vacuum! I can’t emphasize enough that routine sweeping or vacuuming is a must (vacuum should be in good condition and on the correct setting for hardsurface floors) for all hard surface flooring- including hardwood, laminate, vinyl, linoleum, stone and tile. This keeps small particles of dirt and debris, which can cause microscopic scratches and dulling of your floor’s finish, off the floor. The higher the gloss level of your floor’s finish, the more evident the scratches will be. Stone and tile are the most resistant to scratches however the grout lines will collect dirt if left unswept. I’m often asked how often a person should sweep their floor. I typically reply that it depends on how much use and traffic the floor gets. A floor that is lived-on daily by a family of four (or more) is likely going require sweeping daily. For a person who lives alone the same floor may only need to be swept once each week. Basic routine maintenance also involves cleaning. Like sweeping, the frequency with which your floor should be cleaned varies between households. Use your good judgment based on the amount of traffic on your floor. Many hardsurface floors can be easily cleaned with a no-rinse spray cleaner and a microfiber mop. This includes urethane-finished hardwood, laminate, stone & tile. Each type of floor requires a different cleaning product (so always read labels) however the idea is the same across the board. Clean the floor in small sections to avoid the sprayed cleaner from drying before you get a chance to wipe it. Bona & Basic both have popular spray cleaners for use on urethane wood floors (and more). These are reputable floor care products that are not directly linked to a specific flooring manufacturer. If you know the brand of your wood floor, check to see what the flooring manufacturer recommends before purchasing cleaner & care products. Several flooring manufacturers have their own brand of cleaner that is specifically formulated for use on their floor. Websites, such as www.1877floorguy.com carry most manufacturer specific floor care products such as Mannington Ultra Clean and Bruce Dura Luster which are formulated for cleaning wood and laminate floors made by these companies. Several spray cleaners, like the Ultra Clean and DuraLuster, are intended for use on multiple types of flooring surfaces. Wilsonart Ready Mix Spray is a laminate and linoleum floor cleaner. Bona makes a stone, tile & laminate cleaner. These can be economical cleaning products if you’ve got more than one type of flooring materials in your home so do some research before you buy. For cleaning stone & tile well-known products are made by AquaMix and DuPont StoneTech . Among the available products are easy to use spray & wipe cleaners. These quality routine cleaners, AquaMix’s AquaShield and DuPont StoneTech Revitalizer, both contain cleaning agent and sealer to protect the stone surface as it cleans (sealing is very important for natural stone). AquaMix and StoneTech also offer products for deeper cleaning (occasional use) such as Grout Deep Clean to remove stubborn grout stains or KlenzAll for cleaning soap scum and mildew from natural stone. Tips to keep in mind when using spray & wipe cleaners:
Waxed wood floors require a completely different cleaning regiment. Routinely, a waxed wood floor should only be swept and spot cleaned. If spot cleaning is needed, use a cleaner formulated for use on a waxed hardwood floor such as Bruce Lite-n-Natural or Bruce Dark-n-Rich Liquid Paste Wax with Cleaner. You’ll use the same cleaner when your floor needs to be completely cleaned and waxed which should be done every 6 months to a year. The Bruce Liquid Paste Wax with Cleaner is an all-in-one product that takes care of cleaning and waxing thereby reducing the number of steps in the process. Waxed wood floors require a buffer machine which you can typically rent from a local hardware store. More information on cleaning waxed wood floors can be found in the blog post, Surprise! Wood Floors Under the Carpet! Wax or Urethane Finish? Carpet:Like hardsurface floors, carpet also requires routine maintenance to keep dirt and debris from becoming ingrained into the floor and dulling it’s appearance. The #1 rule is vacuum! Vacuuming will pick up loose dirt and debris left behind from foot traffic, food crumbs, etc. and it will lift the carpet pile which becomes especially matted down in high traffic areas. You can’t really overdo vacuuming so however often you can, do it. Your vacuum needs to be in good working condition in order to pick-up dirt. If you notice it’s not picking up visible dirt, take it to a service center for repair or get a new vacuum if the one you’re using is very old. The lint bag should be changed with some frequency since a full bag will generate dust into the air landing on the carpet. Vacuuming around the edges of the room where carpet meets wall is often missed because the vacuum itself can only get so close to the wall. Dirt build-up in these areas will eventually look like a dark rim around the edges of the room. Using the vacuum’s crevice tool around all edges of the room every few months will eliminate this problem. When we talk about cleaning carpets we need to include periodic maintenance and spot cleaning. Periodic maintenance involves wet or dry cleaning your carpet. I am a firm believer in dry cleaning carpets. Wet or steam cleaning introduces water to your carpet which can damage carpet fibers, cause buildup of mold & mildew and require more than a day to dry leaving the room unusable for the duration. Dry cleaning is much less invasive, removes dust and mold spores from the carpet, can be walked on immediately after cleaning and is safe to use on all types of carpet from synthetics to wool. Host is my dry carpet cleaning system of choice because of the approval level of their products, proven effectiveness and ease of use. The Host website has great information to help you determine if it is the right system for your carpet, where to rent a machine (not much bigger than an upright vacuum), and how much cleaner to buy. Often you can purchase the cleaner where you rent the machine or check online retailers also where more sizes and products may be offered (machines can only be rented local to you). Host has small shaker packs of cleaner that can be used for spot or small area cleaning and don’t require use of the machine. These packs are great to keep on hand for spot cleaning. Protect your work! furniture glide under coffee table leg Protect your floor and your efforts to clean your floor by putting protectors on the feet or base of furniture. Felt protectors on the bottom of chairs and table legs keeps hardsurface floors from getting scratched when the furniture is moved. Think about how many times a chair is pushed in and out from a table and the damage that does to a floor. Round felt protectors cost between 16- 30 cents each and come in different sizes and quantities. Is there value in these felt protectors? Absolutely! For carpeted areas, furniture glides can be used permanently under pieces that are moved frequently. For instance, I have the 2-3/4” glides under my family room coffee table that is often moved to allow space for playing Wii. The light grey blends into my beige carpet so they’re barely noticeable. I think the legs would have snapped off or the berber carpet would have come unraveled if it weren’t for the glides. www.1877floorguy.com is dedicated to helping customers properly clean and care for floors by providing popular and hard to find quality floor care products. Try one of these quality products to routinely clean your floor and we’ll extend a 10% discount when you enter coupon code FGBLOG at checkout.
June 3, 2010 on 8:44 pm
Whether you’re headed to your vacation home at the beach, lakeside or in the mountains, your first trip is likely to have your car loaded up with some or all of the following… kids, pets, boogie boards, beach chairs, fishing poles, tackle box, coolers, bed sheets, towels, toilet paper and the list goes on and on. While you’re trying to fit all of this into your vehicle and realizing what a tight squeeze it is, remember… cleaning supplies to get rid of the must and dust that has settled into your vacation home during the winter months! Have no fear… (1877)Floorguy is Here! Before you leave for your lazy, crazy, hazy days of summer, take a few minutes to log on to www.1877floorguy.com, place your order for cleaning supplies and have it ship to your summer address. This way, you won’t have to fit it into your car which leaves more space for lounge chairs, inner tubes, beach umbrellas, etc. Don’t wait until you get there to buy it at the local grocer who will have a small selection at summer prices. Shop smart at www.1877floorguy.com! Check out our Top Picks for Summer 2010. We’ve included products that take care of mold, odors and stains and convenient, easy to use items that will make cleaning your home away from home a breeze. Then use our Shipping Calculator to estimate how far in advance you should place your order so it’s there when you arrive. This feature is further explained in How Can I Reduce My Floorguy Shipping Costs Without Sacrificing Service blog.
DuPont StoneTech Revitalizer Cleaner & Protector is a popular choice for cleaning and maintaining natural stone & ceramic tile surfaces often found in foyers, kitchens and bathrooms. Available in spray or disposable wipes the Revitalizer Cleaner & Protector comes in two great scents, Cucumber and Citrus, and the built-in sealer protects the surface of the stone while it cleans for a worry-free surface. No need to rinse. Just clean and go. This allows more time for you to enjoy fun in the sun!
Great for routine bathroom & kitchen cleaning, AquaKleen is a multi-purpose basin, tub and tile cleaner that effectively cleans even soiled grout joints. The No VOC, water-safe formula is approved for use on ceramic surfaces, natural stone, tile, porcelain, grout, plastic, glass, fiberglass, cultured marble, metal surfaces laminate, and fixtures which will give you peace of mind that a guest staying at your house, while you’re not there, won’t use the “wrong” cleaner because it’s hard to go wrong with AquaKleen.
Vital-Oxide is a must-have if mold or mildew has taken root or if you’re concerned about bacteria anywhere in your home. Eliminates 99.9% of bacteria on a wide range of surfaces in your home including counters, floors, mattresses, upholstery and in the laundry. Vital Oxide is a broad-spectrum antimicrobial disinfectant, safe for use around children and pets. Ready-to-use formula available in 32oz Spray or Gallon Size.
Three can’t-go-wrong spot cleaners for carpet. All proven effective and easy to use to quickly remove stains from carpet. Don’t worry if your son spills his chocolate milk, the dog has a little “accident” or your husband tracks grease in from the bbq. Here are three convenient carpet spot cleaners to have on hand that can clean-up the mess:
We’ve got many more fabulous floor cleaning & maintenance items at 1877Floorguy.com, hundreds of products to keep your floors looking their best including equipment and tools, such as Bona Kemi Mops & Microfiber Covers and Manufacturer Supplied Care Kits such as Bruce Wood Flooring Maintenance Kit and Quick Step Laminate Cleaning Kit. We carry many hard to find floor care items so, if you don’t find what you need on our website, call us at 1-877-Floorguy (1-877-356-6748). Thanks for taking the time to see our Top Picks for Summer Cleaning. Place your order today and take a 10% discount off your order by using coupon code “FGBLOG”. We appreciate your business and wish you a Wonderful Summer!
December 15, 2009 on 3:31 pm
Residential Flooring Manufacturers devote many dollars to developing floor care and maintenance products specific to the floor(s) they produce. These products are carefully formulated, for each type of flooring the manufacturer produces to leave the floor residue-free, maintain the integrity of the floor’s surface finish without compromising slip resistance or shine and it needs to be the safest possible for people, pets and the environment. Important? You bet! Using the Manufacturer Recommended floor care & maintenance products on your new floor, in accordance with Manufacturer guidelines, will keep the floor you purchased looking great and it will uphold the Warranty on your floor if you should have a claim. The big question has long been, “Where can I buy the product recommended by the Manufacturer?” The flooring industry has a missing link when it comes to selling floor care & maintenance products. The flooring industry’s distribution chain, that has been in place for as long as I can remember, is from Manufacturer to Distributor to Retailer. This works like a well-oiled machine for flooring materials. Distributors buy in bulk from Manufacturers and the Retailers order from their Distributor to manage the amount of material they need to inventory. Since this works for flooring materials, it should also work for floor care & maintenance products, right? Wrong. More often than not, Retailers don’t carry the care & maintenance products that Manufacturers require to uphold their flooring Warranties. The truth is that they likely did when they first brought on the line of flooring because the Manufacturer probably had a spiffy display that was offered for the Care & Maintenance Products as part of their kick-off package however, when that initial supply was depleted, they never replenished the stock. This happens for several reasons. Flooring Retailers & Distributors have their focus on flooring materials, not care & maintenance products, because flooring material is their primary business and where most of their profits are generated. When they do try to track down the care & maintenance products they find that the Manufacturer is also more focused on the flooring products and they are not always able to obtain the care & maintenance products because their Distributor has trouble procuring them from the Manufacturer. You can see this doesn’t go very far in getting the products to the End Users. You won’t find the Manufacturer Recommended Floor Care Products in Big box stores either because there is not enough in volume sales for them. Each flooring product in the marketplace has approximately 3 floor care product sku’s (each item has a unique sku) associated with it. Multiply this by the hundreds of flooring products out there and the total equals too many different products for a big box store that focuses on high volume and low cost. The result- Customers, who buy new floors, become frustrated and may turn to easily available generic floor care products to maintain their new floor. This often backfires because the generic product may leave a cloudy film, etch the finish, create too much moisture, stain or dull the original shine. Depending on the product- cleaner, polish, stain remover, refresher, etc- the result of the generic product may or may not be reversible. Situations like this often wind up as Claims filed with the Manufacturer because the Customer believes the floor to be defective. They rarely see a Claim settle in their favor if they haven’t followed the Manufacturer’s care & maintenance guidelines. If only they could find the floor care products recommended by the Manufacturer to uphold their warranty… This is where the specialty e-store fills the missing link. 1877Floorguy.com carries over 1000 sku’s, specializing in Manufacturer recommended Floor Care & Maintenance Products. This website has such a large selection of Manufacturers and Products, organized by type of floor and by Manufacturer, that you will likely find the exact item you are looking for along with helpful tips or advise on how to use it. If you don’t find the answer on the website, call 1-877-Floorguy and one of the staff members, each has been doing this for 8+ years, will answer your questions and guide you with expertise. If you don’t see the product you’re looking for, ask! because 1877Floorguy.com is adding new products all the time. Best of all, most products are in stock and ready to ship next business day. To help you get started with the right maintenance products for your floor, use coupon code ”FGBLOG” for a 10% discount. Hopefully more Retailers will recognize that they can guide their Customers to 1877Floorguy.com to buy maintenance & care products for their new floor. This will make their Customers happy and they’ll go back to that Retailer again for new floors. We’ll never compete for the flooring materials business because our specialty is the products to keep floors clean and maintained. It has taken some convincing, within the industry, but Manufacturers are beginning to see the importance of breaking the supply chain mold to better serve the end users.
November 5, 2009 on 3:52 pm
The trend is obvious when you view the manufacturer links in Part I to this blog. Manufacturers are “greening” their manufacturing processes and their business cultures. Each touts the strides they have made towards environmental stewardship using words like “reducing VOCs, sustainable resources, recycling, improving indoor air quality.” These are all great steps towards a better environment that are measured by organizations that award approvals and certifications as a way for consumers to interpret the progress. Let’s continue our look at greener cleaners for different types of floor coverings with hardwood & laminate cleaners as our next stop … As part of the “all natural” Mohawk Floorcare Essentials line, approved by DfE, Mohawk has included a non-toxic Hardwood & Laminate Floor Cleaner made from natural, renewable ingredients. When a product, like this one, is given the DfE Approved label, it indicates that the product, not only, contributes to a lesser impact on both human and environmental health, it also works as well or better than other cleaners in its class. Bona, a company focused on wood floor care, continually strives to launch effective products with lesser impact on the environment. They do this by using recyclable materials in production and by developing non-toxic formulas, minimizing the harmful effects on people and downstream water pollution. Bona, a leader in the industry, offers a waterborne hardwood floor cleaner that is non-toxic, GREENGUARD Indoor Air Quality Certified, GREENGUARD Certified for Children & Schools, fulfills LEED points and meets CHPS and CA 01350 criteria for indoor air quality. The Bona cleaner is safe for the floor, family and environment and is effective in keeping your wood floor clean. In my home I use the Bona Spray Mop and Cleaner Refill Cartridges and my experience with this product has been great. Moving on to Tile & Grout Cleaners… Mohawk Floorcare Essentials has a Tile & Grout Cleaner. This, like the rest of the product line, is DfE Approved, made with natural ingredients and non-toxic. Host Dry Extraction Carpet Cleaning System, which we took a look at in Part I for carpet cleaning, has also been used successfully to deep clean grouted tile floors. The Host website has a good illustration of this. A test area is recommended before full use. Typical use is commercial or institutional. Host products are Green Seal Certified, EPP Approved and LEED Qualified. Several new acronyms and organizations have been introduced in the sections above. Here is what they mean to you… GREENGUARD Environmental Institute focuses on indoor air quality. GREENGUARD is an industry-independent, non-profit organization that establishes standards and testing for indoor products. Their goal is to improve public health by helping manufacturers build safer products that will not pollute the air with harmful levels of dangerous chemicals or particulates. GREENGUARD awards several types of certification. GREENGUARD Indoor Air Quality Certified indicates that a product performs well in testing for low chemical emissions. GREENGUARD Certified for Children & Schools maintains an even higher standard for low-emitting interior use products and materials adhering to the performance guidelines in California Code Section 01350 (CA 01350) pertaining to indoor air quality. A product that meets CA 01350 is also LEED qualified and CHPS (Collaborative for High Performance Schools) approved. CHPS (Collaborative for High Performance Schools) helps to facilitate high performance learning environments that are not only energy and resource efficient, but also healthy, comfortable, well lit, and containing the amenities for a quality education. CHPS and CA 01350 are considered to be leaders in improving indoor air quality standards. I hope this blog leaves you more informed than you were before and gives you resources to use in determining what products are safest or most environmentally friendly. There is not one clear-cut answer because there are many approvals and certifications by various organizations and government agencies. Consumers need to use their best judgment in deterring which manufacturers or products are really doing something responsible for our environment and which are just blowing a lot of hot air (pardon the non-ecological idiom). There are many good products out there, several are mentioned in this blog and in Part I to this blog. My advice is to read labels, check websites and ask questions to draw conclusions about what is most effective in helping you to meet your “Green” goals.
November 4, 2009 on 4:08 pm
What is a green floor cleaning product? Is it about a manufacturer’s efforts to conserve natural resources and recycle? Does it mean that the floor cleaner will help you to conserve water or energy? What will be its effect on indoor air quality? Is it safe when it comes in contact with your skin? The more I’ve researched the vast topic of “green”, the more certifications and approvals I find. This “bit of information” I planned to share in my blog just kept getting bigger and bigger so I’ve decided to break it down into smaller bites for you. This is Part I. Look for Part II coming soon! Manufacturers of floor cleaning products are changing what they make and how they make it. As products change to meet consumer demand for “green”, industry and government have introduced a range of certifications, approvals and standards. It can be difficult to navigate through the acronyms and organizations that certify and approve products so here is a guide on a few that I’ve come across. I am not endorsing any one certification, merely summarizing the information so you can draw your own conclusions and better understand what each means. Green Seal Certified, EPP Approved, LEED qualified, and DfE Approved are “green” approvals I came across while looking into environmentally friendly carpet cleaning products. The organizations behind these approvals and certifications also evaluate other types of products as you’ll see in my next blog. “Green” takes on different meanings, depending on the type of approval or certification and the goal of the certifying organization. Host Dry Extraction Carpet Cleaning System is a full line of carpet cleaning products from spot cleaners to 6lb or 12lb boxes of cleaner used in the Host Dry-Clean Machine. These Host products are Green Seal Certified, EPP Approved and can contribute points for LEED qualification. The inherent nature of this dry carpet cleaning system conserves water because none is needed, conserves energy because water doesn’t need to be heated and fans don’t need to be run for drying the carpet because the carpet never gets wet. Host Dry Carpet Cleaning System reduces the risk of mold and allergans, often associated with wet-carpet cleaning, thereby producing better indoor air quality. Shaw R2x Green Stain & Soil Remover is a carpet spot cleaner that is DfE Approved by the EPA (different approval than Host) and intended for use on stain resistant and wool carpets and water safe fabrics. Shaw, as a manufacturer, has made great strides towards environmental stewardship in their manufacturing process and improving indoor air quality by reducing chemical emissions in the products they make. You can read more about the Shaw Green Edge on their website. Mohawk Floorcare Essentials is a line of “all natural”, non-toxic products including Carpet Stain Remover, Carpet Care Kit and Odor Eliminator. These carpet cleaners, like Shaw R2x, are DfE Approved. Mohawk has a corporate environmental policy that emphasizes reducing, reusing and recycling materials in every aspect of their business. Mohawk continues to look for new ways to responsibly use raw materials and natural resources to reduce the impact on the environment. What does all of this mean to you? Green Seal Certified means that evaluation has been conducted by the non-profit organization, Green Seal, and that the product reduces impact on the environment and on human health based on its use of raw materials, manufacturing process and recycling or disposal methods for the product. Green Seal Certified also indicates that the product works as well as or better than others in its class. EPP Approved (Environmentally Preferable Purchasing) tells you the product has a reduced impact on human health and the environment when compared to other products that serve the same purpose. This comparison applies to raw materials, manufacturing, packaging, distribution, use, reuse, operation, maintenance, and disposal. The primary purpose of EPP Approval, given by the Federal EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), is to help agencies across the federal government comply with green purchasing requirements. The EPA website publishes a list of approved products. My experience has been that the list can be difficult to navigate so you may want to check the manufacturer’s website first if you’re looking for a specific product. LEED qualification is geared primarily towards commercial buildings. LEED, developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), is an internationally recognized green building certification system aimed at improving building performance as it pertains to energy savings, water efficiency, reduction of CO2 emissions, improved indoor environmental quality, and responsible use of resources and sensitivity to their impacts on the environment. LEED provides building owners and operators a concise framework for identifying and implementing practical and measurable green building design, construction, operations and maintenance solutions. Floor cleaning products that are EPP approved also meet LEED requirements. DfE, Design for the Environment, focuses on a product’s direct effect on people and on the use of sustainable ingredients. DfE is another EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) program that works with environmental organizations and industry. DfE’s, “Safer Product Labeling Program” promotes protecting families and the environment. Individual products are evaluated for their impact on both human and environmental health and for their ability to perform as well or better than other products in their class. That’s all for this blog. Stay tuned for Part II –Hardwood & Laminate Cleaners, Tile & Grout Cleaners, GREENGUARD, CHPS, CA01350…
February 12, 2008 on 2:39 pm
Basics of Laminate Floor Care
October 26, 2007 on 4:17 pm
Tips for Cleaner Floors Everyone has their own ideas about the best way to clean floors. For instance, you may have heard that vinegar and water works great for cleaning ceramic tile floors; however that may not be the case. It is an extremely acidic food product and as such may cause bacteria to develop. The smell to begin with is not that great and it gets much worse when combined with bacteria. One of the difficulties of cleaning ceramic tile floors is the grout. Dirt and odors tend to get trapped inside it and it makes it very difficult to clean. If you have the time and patience, consider re-doing the grout and possibly use a colored grout as when it is dirty it is much less noticeable than the standard white. Hardwood flooring is a beautiful, often expensive, investment and by taking proper care of it, should last a very long time. Major concerns with hardwood flooring are scratches that often result from moisture and heavy wear. The ideal solution is preventative maintenance, which includes area rugs and floor protectors on all furniture on your floors. This should also include sweeping, vacuuming and/or dust mopping to remove dirt and grit. You want to make sure you do this type of cleaning before and after any event that involves a lot of traffic on the floor. This will help to keep grit from scratching the floor. Another form of prevention is to make sure high heeled shoes are in good repair, with taps on the heel. Better yet if at all possible avoid wearing these types of shoes on hardwood flooring. The same goes for your pet’s nails, keep them trimmed or off the floor if possible. Also, many companies that install hardwood flooring have a clause in the contract stating if anything other than “XYZ” product is used the warranty or guarantee will become void. So be sure to follow their instructions for cleaning and products. Laminate flooring is low maintenance, attractive and long-lasting making it a good alternative to hardwood flooring. By following a few simple steps for cleaning and maintaining a laminate floor you should get many years of trouble-free use from it. First and foremost you should only use a damp cloth or mop as excessive water will damage the floor. Be sure to wipe up spills as well as water from wet footwear immediately with a clean dry cloth or paper towel. Avoid the use of soap-based detergents or abrasive cleaners along with scouring pads as that may scratch the laminate panels. If you have a really stubborn stain spot clean with a product made specifically for laminate floors as you can damage the surface if you use a product that isn’t. All you need is a damp cloth in most cases to clean up spots and spills as they happen and you can keep your laminate flooring looking fabulous. There are numerous products available for cleaning use on floors, and if you follow the instructions pertaining to your particular floor type along with a little preventative maintenance, it should last and stay beautiful for years to come.
October 26, 2007 on 4:07 pm
Do You Need Pergo Cleaner For Your Floors? When you finally have amazing Pergo flooring in your home, you are going to want to have only the best when it comes to cleaning products, which would more than likely include Pergo Cleaner. After all, if you want to keep your stunning floors looking incredible at all times, it may be necessary to have the best cleaner always handy. One of the many mistakes that people tend to make is using a cleaner that is not meant for the particular flooring that they happen to have in their home. Such mistakes can lead to an unsightly buildup on your floors as well as the potential for damage to your flooring, which can make for expensive and annoying repairs or replacements down the road. Because Pergo Cleaner is meant for your particular floors, you will see that you can clean much easier as well as maintain a clean that you are looking for. If you are on the fence about having laminate flooring installed within your home, you can simply look to some of the advantages of having Pergo flooring. With such easy installation, moderate cost and a beautiful look, homeowners of just about any financial level can enjoy gorgeous flooring by Pergo or any other manufacturer available. Although not made of real wood, this kind of flooring can give you a look and feel of the real thing without any of the damage or worries that can come along with it. Actually, simply having your Pergo Cleaner on hand can eliminate any worries that you may end up coming across when it comes to any spills or messes within your home on your flooring. The nice thing about laminate flooring is that you are basically taking any of the hassle and worry out of caring for your floors. Using Pergo Cleaner is a nice way to take out any scuffs and keep the floor looking amazing at all times. In addition to that, you can also easily get rid of various dust and bits of debris that you may have collecting on the floor. You can simply sweep it up or even use a great duster to help whisk everything away. Many people who have this kind of laminate flooring and use their Pergo Cleaner will get asked by friends and relatives if they have a cleaning person that comes into their home. When you have such an easy floor to care for, you can focus your time and effort on other chores around your home that you would like to get finished up. Pergo Cleaner is definitely your best friend when you want to push the incredible look of your flooring a little bit further to impress all of your guests.
October 26, 2007 on 3:50 pm
Great Ideas For Cleaning Laminate Floors The minute that you have your new flooring installed, you might just begin to worry about the best possible ways to clean laminate floors. Well, if you are like many people who have switched to laminate flooring, you should know that you are definitely not alone. However, the really nice thing about laminate flooring is that you are basically taking all of the worry out of messes and clean up. All you really need to do is find the best ways to pick up and maintain the flooring that you have chosen and you should be all set. When it comes to the best quality flooring available, you should know that your days of worrying about cleaning laminate floors are pretty much over with. These floors are really built to last and take a whole lot of traffic and messes before you ever notice any kind of wear and tear, if you do even notice any at all. Most people have gone years and years without any noticeable wear and on their laminate floors with regular cleaning. Consult your care guide with your laminate floors so you can find out the best recommendations for cleaning procedures. Some flooring companies generally have special cleaners available for their laminate floors, while others will simply suggest a quick sweeping or mopping with soap and water. However, some soaps can leave a film on your laminate flooring that will not only defeat the purpose of cleaning it, dirt and grime will actually get trapped in the soapy film that is left. Professional cleaners will cost a little more than the floor cleaner from the Dollar Store up the street, however it will really clean your floors and give them a much longer life. If you happen to have Pergo flooring, you will find that there is a product dedicated to their laminate floors that you can find both online. It is available in a spray bottle as well as in a handy kit and will cut your floor cleaning time so you won’t have to spend hours cleaning your laminate flooring to keep it looking nice. Once you have made the step toward laminate flooring, you will wonder why on earth you waited so long to make the switch. Your cleaning time is less, it is a less expensive than tile and hardwood floors and is magnificent for high traffic areas that would otherwise show a lot of wear and tear. Additionally, with children in the house, it’s easy to keep the spills mopped up and all those other “oops” accidents that always seem to involve grape juice, oily peanut butter and other spills that can be devastating to carpet as it will stain, tile can hold stains and odors in the group and wood flooring is very unforgiving to stains- however with a laminate floor – you just clean and go. Daily sweeping to keep dust and dirt to a minimum and giving your laminate floor a good cleaning with a “made for your floor” cleaner; you will find that your laminate floors will do service for your home for years upon years to come. |
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