Flooring Care Guide
General tips to help you maintain your floors. This guide is intended as a helpful starting point only — always refer to your product's specific manufacturer care guide and warranty documentation for detailed instructions.
Tips for All Flooring Types
Regardless of whether you have carpet or hard flooring, these practices are universally recommended across all major manufacturers:
- Act immediately on spills — blot with a clean, dye-free cloth. Never rub or scrub.
- Use mats at all entry points to trap grit, dirt, and moisture before it reaches your floors.
- Use soft furniture pads under all furniture legs. Always lift heavy items — never drag or slide.
- Protect from prolonged direct sunlight — use blinds, curtains, or UV-filtering window film to prevent fading and discolouration.
- Keep pet claws trimmed to reduce the risk of scratching (hard floors) or snagging (carpet).
- Never use bleach on any flooring type.
Carpet Care
Carpet care varies by fibre type. The advice below covers general principles — always check your manufacturer's specific guide for fibre-appropriate cleaning products and methods.
Routine Maintenance
- Vacuum at least once per week, more frequently in high-traffic areas.
- Use a vacuum with a rotating brush or beater bar for cut-pile carpets, ensuring the rotating bristles barely touch the ground and are soft enough not to damage the carpet fibres. Repeated use of a rotating brush incorrectly can cause fibres to split and the yarn to fray. For loop-pile styles, use suction-only to avoid damaging the surface and causing excessive pilling.
- Vacuum in multiple directions to lift pile and remove embedded particles.
Professional Cleaning
- Have your carpet professionally cleaned using hot water extraction at regular intervals — typically every 12 to 18 months, depending on your manufacturer's recommendation.
- Professional cleaning is generally a condition of your carpet warranty. Check your documentation for the required frequency.
- Only use a cleaning service that employs hot water extraction (also known as steam cleaning). Dry cleaning methods may not satisfy warranty requirements.
Spills and Stains
- Blot spills immediately with a clean, white, dye-free cloth — work from the outside of the stain inward.
- For most fibres, cool to lukewarm water is safest. Avoid hot water.
- Never use household detergents, tile cleaners, or abrasive products on carpet.
- Do not apply any topical treatments, stain protectors, or deodorisers after installation unless recommended by your manufacturer.
- For stubborn stains, refer to the stain removal chart in your product's care guide or contact us for advice.
Fibre-Specific Notes
Wool
Naturally resilient but sensitive to harsh chemicals. Use only wool-approved cleaning solutions. Avoid high-alkaline products. Wool may shed initially — this is normal and reduces over time with regular vacuuming. Check your guide for approved vacuum types.
Solution Dyed Nylon (SDN)
Highly durable and stain-resistant when treated. Responds well to prompt spill cleanup. Avoid excessive moisture and always use manufacturer-recommended products to maintain any factory-applied stain treatments.
Triexta (PTT)
The standout performer for stain resistance. Triexta's molecular structure makes it inherently stain-resistant at the fibre level — not through a topical treatment that wears off over time. Most household spills, including wine, coffee, and juice, can be removed with just water and a clean cloth if addressed promptly. Triexta is also softer underfoot than nylon or polyester, making it a popular choice for bedrooms and living areas. Refer to your manufacturer's guide for approved cleaning products.
Polyester (PET)
Solution-dyed and colourfast with good general stain resistance. However, polyester can be prone to oil-based stains — clean oily spills quickly with a manufacturer-approved product. Avoid excessive moisture during cleaning. Refer to your product's care guide for approved cleaning agents.
Polypropylene (Olefin)
Solution-dyed and resistant to moisture and most stains. Can tolerate slightly broader cleaning methods, but always verify with your specific product's care instructions. Avoid excessive heat during cleaning.
After Installation
- Ventilate newly carpeted rooms for at least four days to allow any residual manufacturing odours (VOCs) to dissipate.
- Avoid heavy furniture placement for at least 24 hours after installation.
Hardwood Floor Care
Engineered and solid hardwood floors are a significant investment. Proper care preserves both their beauty and your warranty coverage.
Routine Maintenance
- Sweep, dust mop, or vacuum regularly to remove grit and debris that can scratch the surface. Use a soft-bristle attachment if vacuuming.
- Damp mop only — never wet mop. Use a well-wrung microfibre mop with a pH-neutral, manufacturer-recommended hard floor cleaner.
- Wipe up any standing liquid immediately. Hardwood is not waterproof — prolonged moisture exposure can cause swelling, cupping, or finish damage.
What to Avoid
- Steam mops — the heat and moisture can damage the finish and delaminate engineered boards.
- Vinegar, ammonia, or citrus-based cleaners — these are acidic or alkaline and will degrade the floor's protective coating over time.
- Wax, polish, or oil-based cleaning products unless specifically recommended by your manufacturer.
- Excessive water during cleaning — a damp mop should leave no visible moisture behind.
Environmental Conditions
- Maintain indoor relative humidity between approximately 35–55%. Use humidifiers in winter and air conditioning or dehumidifiers in summer as needed.
- Timber is a natural product and will expand and contract with seasonal humidity changes. Minor gaps between boards in drier months are normal.
- Protect from direct sunlight to minimise colour change over time.
- Always check your specific product's installation guidelines before using any form of underfloor heating.
Water-Resistant Laminate Care
Modern water-resistant laminate is durable and practical, but it still requires proper care to maintain its appearance and warranty.
Routine Maintenance
- Sweep or vacuum regularly with a hard floor attachment to remove grit and prevent surface scratching.
- Clean with a damp (not wet) microfibre mop using a pH-neutral laminate floor cleaner.
- Wipe up spills promptly. While water-resistant laminate handles brief exposure well, standing water should always be removed quickly.
What to Avoid
- Steam mops — the heat and forced moisture can damage the decorative layer and compromise the locking system.
- Vinegar, ammonia, abrasive cleaners, or any product not recommended for laminate.
- Excess water — do not flood-mop. Moisture seeping into joints can cause swelling.
- Wax or polish — laminate surfaces are sealed and do not require or benefit from additional coatings.
Environment
- Maintain stable indoor humidity levels as recommended by your product's documentation.
- Use blinds or curtains to limit prolonged UV exposure.
Hybrid Flooring Care
Hybrid flooring combines a solid or expanded polymer core with a PVC surface. It is highly water-resistant but — despite common misconceptions — it is not waterproof. Proper care is essential.
Routine Maintenance
- Sweep, dust mop, or vacuum regularly using a hard floor attachment.
- Damp mop with a pH-neutral floor cleaner recommended by the manufacturer.
- Wipe up spills promptly. Water that seeps beneath the floor — from excessive mopping, leaking appliances, or subfloor moisture — can cause damage over time.
What to Avoid
- Steam mops — excessive heat can warp the rigid core and damage the wear layer.
- Ammonia, bleach, vinegar, or abrasive cleaning products.
- Excessive water during mopping — use a damp mop, not a wet one.
- Rubber-backed mats or rugs for the first two months after installation (check your manufacturer's specific timeframe).
Environment
- Maintain indoor relative humidity between approximately 35–55%.
- Protect from prolonged direct sunlight.
- Always check your product's documentation regarding underfloor heating compatibility before installation.
Vinyl Flooring Care
Vinyl flooring (including luxury vinyl plank and tile) is resilient and low-maintenance, but still benefits from regular care to preserve its finish.
Routine Maintenance
- Sweep or vacuum regularly with a soft attachment to prevent grit buildup.
- Damp mop with a pH-neutral vinyl floor cleaner as needed.
- Clean spills promptly — while vinyl handles moisture well, standing water should not be left on the surface.
What to Avoid
- Steam mops, ammonia, bleach, and abrasive or solvent-based cleaners.
- Rubber-backed mats (can cause discolouration). Use mats with a non-staining backing.
- Dragging heavy furniture or appliances across the surface.
Need Your Product's Specific Care Guide?
If you've misplaced the care and warranty documentation that came with your flooring, get in touch with our team. We can provide a replacement copy for any product purchased from The Flooring Centre.
For more in-depth information on caring for specific flooring types, visit our Flooring Care & Maintenance article.