- Home >> Lifestyle: Cleaning
Center:
-
- Floor Cleaning And Care
-
- Alcoholic Beverage Stains on Hard Surface Floors
Rub with a
cloth dampened in a solution of detergent and warm water. If
the stain remains, rub it with a different cloth dampened with
denatured alcohol.
Asphalt
Tile - Care and
Cleaning
Care
Very hard,
brittle tile, installed mostly in older buildings. Softened by
grease so wipe up spills promptly. Also softened/dissolved by
solvents, so do not use solvents, or solvent-based polishing
waxes on it.
Cleaning
Asphalt tile
is not damaged by alkali, so can you use alkaline cleaners on
it. Damp mop as recommended for vinyl. When soil is not removed
by damp-mopping, wash with detergent and water, or mild ammonia
and water solution, and rinse well. Wax only with water-based
wax.
Blood
Stains on Hard Surface Floors
Mop or sponge
with clear, cold water. If the stain remains, mop or sponge it
with a solution of ammonia and cold water.
Cautions: When working with
any chemicals, carefully read and follow the label directions
for using that chemical, especially any cautions on safe use!
With solvents, be very careful to have ventilation, and no flame
or spark in area!
The first time
you use any procedure on any floor, test it first on an out-of-the-way
part of the floor to be sure it does not damage the flooring
or finish.
Notes:
If steel wool is suggested, use fine grade, 000 grade. Scouring
powder will help remove many stains, but can also permanently
scratch the floor.
If you decide
to use it, use only a mild type, and be very careful about rubbing
too much. Concentrated
liquid commercial household cleaners, rubbed onto a stubborn
spot, may remove it as well as scouring powders without the danger
of scratching. Rinse off well. Do not use on wood floors.
Do not use
water solutions, or cleaners which have to be rinsed off with
water, on wood floors. Use a solvent or solvent-based cleaning
wax.
After removing
a stain, rinse the area thoroughly, dry completely, and, if floor
finish has been removed in that area, recoat with appropriate
finish or wax.
Candle
Wax or Chewing Gum on Hard Surface Floors
Freeze the
material to brittleness by using ice cubes. Then scrape the material
off the floor with a plastic spatula.
Cautions:
When
working with any chemicals, carefully read and follow the label
directions for using that chemical, especially any cautions on
safe use! With solvents, be very careful to have ventilation,
and no flame or spark in area!
The first time
you use any procedure on any floor, test it first on an out-of-the-way
part of the floor to be sure it does not damage the flooring
or finish.
Notes: If steel wool is suggested,
use fine grade, 000 grade.
Scouring powder
will help remove many stains, but can also permanently scratch
the floor. If you decide to use it, use only a mild type, and
be very careful about rubbing too much.
Concentrated
liquid commercial household cleaners, rubbed onto a stubborn
spot, may remove it as well as scouring powders without the danger
of scratching. Rinse off well. Do not use on wood floors.
Do not use
water solutions, or cleaners which have to be rinsed off with
water, on wood floors. Use a solvent or solvent-based cleaning
wax.
After removing
a stain, rinse the area thoroughly, dry completely, and, if floor
finish has been removed in that area, recoat with appropriate
finish or wax.
next
page
The Author:
Anne Field, Extension Specialist,
with credit to MSU Extension
|