SEPTEMBER 2019 GH (^) 64C
Care
for Your
Floors
GH’S ULTIMATE GUIDE
No matter what kind
you have (or want),
here’s how to keep
them looking great
WOOD
For a classic look, you can’t go
wrong with hardwood. While
not delicate, the floors do need
extra TLC to stay looking new.
Vacuum often to remove abrasive
dust and dirt. Use a bare-floor
brush attachment or turn off the
vac’s rotating brush to prevent
scratching. For wet cleaning, use
a product formulated for wood
and dry the floor right away.
TILE
Ceramic and porcelain tiles are
much easier to keep clean than
other flooring options: Simply
vacuum to remove dust and hair,
then wash with a floor cleaner
and your favorite mop. Grout
looking dingy? Spruce it up with
the same brush and cleanser you
use in the bathroom.
CARPET
Get ready to be a vacuuming
pro! To keep carpet looking new,
vacuum it at least once a week.
This fluffs the pile and removes
ground-in dirt. Stains should
be treated and removed ASAP;
schedule deep cleaning by a pro
(and reapplication of stain treat-
ment) every 12 to 18 months.
For tricky places like around chair legs and
under furniture, our experts always reach for
the same tool: a Swiffer Sweeper! There’s a
reason it’s been a Lab favorite and GH Seal star
for 20 years. It consistently performs well in our
tests, leaving vinyl, tile and wood floors clean
with little effort. Look for wet-mopping, dusting,
vacuuming and steam-cleaning versions too.
GH SEAL STAR SWIFFER SWEEPER, $12, SWIFFER.COM
EXPERT ADVICE
How to
Clean Tricky
Spots
LEAVE SHOES AT THE DOOR. Don’t let your work be
for nothing. University of Arizona researchers found that
shoes collected an average of 421,000 bacteria on their
soles, and 90% to 99% of those could transfer to clean tiles.
Designate inside-only shoes, wear socks or go au naturel.
MUDROOM
GH
CLEANING
LAB
2005
In a test of kids’ jewelry and
trinkets, GH Lab experts find
dangerous levels of lead.
2006
GH moves into the shiny new
LEED-certified Hearst Tower,
New York City’s first official
“green” office building.
2005
GH warns readers that some new
inflatable kids’ pools are too deep
and potentially deadly.
20
06
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