Tips For Fixing Floor Scuffs, Stains, Nics & More

 Print     Email

Scuff & Stain Scrub

Cornstarch or Baking Soda
Water

A Good Cleaning Brush Makes The Job Easier

• Mix cornstarch and water to make a paste, apply paste to wet sponge and scrub out the scuff marks.

Remove Wax Buildup

Club Soda

• Drizzle or spray club soda over the floor, leave for a couple minutes then mop clean.

Scuff Mark Eraser

Artgum Eraser

• Erase your stains away–Rub the scuff or stain with the eraser until it’s removed.

Floor Cleaner

1/8 cup liquid dish detergent
1/4 cup vinegar
1/4 cup Borax
2 to 3 gallons hot water

• Mix all the ingredients together in a mop bucket, then mop the floors.

Citrus Clean & Shine

Homemade Citrus Vinegar Cleaner

• First dilute in water–start with 1/2 cup per gallon of water then adjust to your needs.

Homemade Floor Cleaner

1/2 cup household ammonia
2 gallons hot water

• Mix the ammonia and water in a bucket, use to mop. This may strip wax. Careful on tile flooring.

Nic Tip:

• Small chips and nics can happen, see if this tip will help (Tip #2 Flooring Nics & Chips).

Curling Vinyl Tiles Fix:
*First published August 6, 2007 and moved to this page for better organization

• Use an old iron to heat up the vinyl tile to soften the glue underneath.
• Once the glue is softened enough to lift the tile a bit, apply fresh adhesive to the area underneath the curling spots.
• Reposition the tile on top and firmly weigh it down with something heavy (like bricks or cinder blocks). Lift the weight and wipe away any excess glue that may have oozed out.
• Place the weight on top of the tile again, leave set for several hours.
• Remove the weight once the adhesive is dry and the tile is firmly glued down.

Quick Tips

1. Sweep or vacuum at least twice a week. If you have a busy household or pets in the home, sweep daily.
2. Wipe up spills immediately – less scrubbing to do on wash day and less chance of permanent stains.
3. The better the mop – the easier it is to clean. Nothing worse than trying to scrub down a floor with a flimsy, worn out sponge mop.
4. Keep mats at the home’s entrances and remove shoes at the door. Keeps the dirt and grit levels down.
5. Keep sweeping and mopping tools clean by regularly soaking them in a bucket of clean water and bleach or hot soapy water. Lay out in the sun to dry. Don’t use the bleach/water mix if your cleaning tools were used with vinegar or ammonia.
6. If you find your floor looks dull or dirty all the time, try stripping it with a strong solution of ammonia & water (if the material can handle it without being damaged). Then reseal if necessary (use recommended method). Then change your cleaner and see if that makes a difference.

Careful: Make sure none of the ingredients will harm your flooring before using. Test an area first. Don’t use an ammonia based cleaner if you have a wax floor (and want to keep it waxed) or tiled. Be especially cautious on wood and laminate, best to follow manufacturer’s instructions.