Useful Floor Cleaning tips to keep your toddler safe

Your floor can be an incredibly messy place, full of germs, grime and dirt. The floor can be covered by any particles that fall from the air, any bacteria which have permeated through the floor covering from below, and any mess that has been brought in on people's feet or shoes. Your pets can even bring harmful bacteria and other substances in from the outside which can make your floor dirty and dangerous. If you have young children, floor cleaning may be one of the best ways to ensure that you children stay safe from the dangers below.

Very young children spend a lot of time on the floor. If they are playing, they are usually in a play space at ground level, and if they are toddling, they may end up exploring many different areas of your home. Unfortunately, children of this age also have a bad habit of putting things in their mouths, including their hands, feet and other foreign objects. If the things that they put in their mouths have been on the floor, it is possible that any of the germs or dirt that was on the floor may be transferred to their mouths. This can be very unhygienic and can end up making your child very unwell.

Although it is best to dissuade your children from habits like this, it is impossible to stop them from doing it all the time, as it is sometimes only possible to react once it is already too late. In order to protect your child as much as possible, you should consider proper floor cleaning techniques or professional floor cleaning.

Cleaning your floor thoroughly can help to get rid of some of the most harmful bacteria that can be found on the surface. Although your floor will have to be cleaned regularly to prevent new bacteria from building up, floor cleaning stops bacteria dead in its tracks and kills any bacteria which is present at the time. Bacteria can easily spread, and is not only present in the areas which look visibly dirty, so it is important that you clean as thoroughly as possible.

If you have had your floor cleaned, make sure that you keep your child out of the area until all chemicals have been put away and ensure that the area has been thoroughly ventilated. This will prevent your child from coming into contact with harmful fumes. Cleaning products are safe once dry, so your child can play on the floor safely.Michael D Kane

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Wood Floor Cleaning tips

One of the problems, however, with hard wood floors is keeping them looking good over time as this type of material can very quickly become marked and stained, which can cause a dull and unsatisfactory appearance if meticulous care is not taken. Wood floor cleaning is different to stone or vinyl cleaning as once the wood itself is actually marked - it takes drastic action such as sanding to restore the floor to its original state.

The key to protecting any floor is protection and prevention - but with wood floors this is especially important. Although hard wood is pretty durable it is also prone to scratching and staining, so this must be avoided at all costs. If a floor becomes marked or scratched, a wood floor cleaning specialist will need to be called to sand, clean, polish and seal the floor - so preventative action must be taken.

The first steps involve professional installation and sealing. Assuming the floor has been correctly installed; the application of a sealant adds a protective layer and will effectively waterproof the floor - protecting it against spillages. You can check if you floor has a sealant applied by dropping a couple of drops of water on the floor. If the drops 'float' on the surface then you probably have a sealant applied. If not you should make the application of one a priority - a floor cleaning specialist will be able to recommend one for you.

Another important step is to avoid surface scratching. Scratching can remove any sealant that may have been applied, exposing the surface, but can also damage the wood itself. This will allow staining and bacteria to build up over time and this can stain and mark the wood. To avoid surface scratching try to remove any grit or dirt from the surface of the floor with regular sweeping. If the floor is swept, cleaning with a slightly damp mop should be sufficient but make sure you clean up spillages as soon as they occur.

Over time it is possible that your floor may become marked and dulled and cleaning ceases to be effective. It is possible that this is simply a surface build-up of grime or staining which can be difficult to shift. It is also possible that the floor itself (the actual wood) has become marked and that will require professional attention. In either case a wood floor cleaning specialist will be able to deal with this and give you the advice you need - Steven J Rosen

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