Some surfaces in the home require more upkeep than others. Natural wood flooring and granite countertops come to mind. Granite is usually sealed with something that is shiny. More recently I have noticed that some stone countertops have a thick, resinous coating that is different from this thin layer of sealant found on some granite and quartz counter tops. This thicker resinous coating on countertops seems to last longer than thin sealant found on some quartz and granite, however it can still degrade over time when harsh products are used.
Granite countertops with a normal, shiny looking finish can start to fade and look completely dull if base (strong soap) or acidic products (vinegar) are used on them. Also, if they are scrubbed with an abrasive (even just baking soda), it can damage the finish, exposing a dull granite underneath. These countertops require maintenance outside of cleaning; it is recommended to re-seal these surfaces every couple of years. If this doesn’t happen, dull spots can appear on the surface. Seeing dull spots in your granite doesn’t mean that someone did something wrong, it simply means it needs to be refinished. There is no amount of buffing, cleaning, or even avoidance of cleaning that will alter your granites need for re-sealing. Buffing granite countertops should not be done excessively and will not extend the life of the finish, but it can help to remove water spots or haze.
Contact us today to get your granite or wood surfaces cleaned!
Some flooring types (carpet comes to mind) only require cleaning to maintain them. Granite and wood are different! They need regular, routine maintenance outside of cleaning that is restorative and protects the surface from damage. Wood is similar to granite in that it is usually installed with a thin layer of sealant (the finish), and this finish can degrade faster or slower, depending on the amount of foot traffic, the products used to clean, and any scrubbing that takes place on the floor. At Essential Cleaning in Portland, OR, we focus on using PH neutral products that are gentle on surfaces.
Wood floors do not like water. It may appear that they do, if you can get away with mopping several times without issue. Engineered wood flooring is much more tolerant of cleaning because they are made of synthetics and wood, or combine a plastic material with the wood which results in a tougher material that will withstand regular cleaning. Some types of hardwood floors feature a layer of waterproof material at the surface. There are endless variations of wood floors to choose from.
With real wood floors, over time, the finish on the floor will start to degrade just like what happens with granite. The finish will not degrade evenly; it will happen in random areas. We talked about what to watch for with granite. If you see a shiny granite counter top with dull spots on it, the dull spots are where the finish is degrading (try to buff it out first, and if it doesn’t change, the finish is fading). With wood it isn’t as straight forward. Damaged wood finish can show through in many ways, sometimes you can see burn marks, “mildewy” areas, and dulling on the surface. The mildewy spots and the burn marks are usually from water. You may be inclined to scrub your hardwoods, or even scrape them. Don’t! The finish underneath can come right off if its scrubbed or scraped. A safe and gentle way to clean your hardwoods is to use a PH neutral cleaner. Rigorous scrubbing or excessive cleaning products on hardwoods can wreck the surface. We dont want that! Many hardwood specific products are Ph neutral (There are many ways to clean a wood floor, but the main point is to go easy on the products, only use ph neutral products when possible, and dont scrape or scrub your floor).
Part of the problem with older wood floors that need to be re-finished is you just dont know which parts of the surface are going to absorb water due to the finish being gone. One way to tell if the finish is gone is if the water on a wood floor absorbs into it, like what a spill would do on carpet, rather than beading up and drying out. You will also see dark marks, mildewy streaks, and darkening of the wood. Some darkening can be dirt! Some can be water damage. Dont scrub your wood floor to find out! Instead, use a diluted ph neutral product to clean the floors. Always use less water and spot clean by hand or with a flat mop when needed. Less is always more with hardwood floors!
Wood is a surface that adds character to a home when it is old and in need of refinishing. Old wood floors give a home a “lived in” feel that you just dont get with other types of flooring. However when the finish is wearing out on a wood floor, it’s best to minimize mopping, and just do spot cleaning. A flat, mostly dry mop works great on most of the floors and if there are spots that need to be scrubbed, gently wiping away by hand, or with a slightly damp flat mop is best. Removing shoes when entering the house ( hard habit to break if you wear shoes in the house!) always helps too!
Here in Portland, at Essential Cleaning, we clean all types of flooring from hardwoods to synthetic material and everywhere in between. Sometimes, old fashioned scrubbing is not the way to keep the surfaces in your home at their best. The surfaces in your home do not get “one size fits all” treatment because no two surfaces are the same. As we get to know you, your home, and your goals, we can tailor a specific cleaning plan that aligns with your goals!
Call us today for a personalized quote 503-676-4656. We look forward to getting to know you and your home! We service Portland, SW Portland, Tigard, Tualatin, Wilsonville.