Guide Note

Floor cleaners come in a variety of forms including vacuum cleaners, mops, sweepers, shampooers, microfiber cloths and detergents and other cleaning agents used for flooring.

Fast Facts

1. Common uses: washing flooring, removing carpet stains, vacuuming, sweeping
2. 1st vacuum: The "Whirlwind"
3. Whirlwind debut: 1868 in Chicago, IL
4. Whirlwind inventor: Ives W. McGaffey
5. Hoover Leather Goods bought patent for 1st rotating brush vacuum in 1908

The way to clean the floor depends greatly on the type of floor it is. Most floors are hardwood, tile, stone, linoleum and carpeting.

Hardwood floors should be cleaned gently with a microfiber cloth and a pH balanced cleaner. Try and get a cleaner meant specifically for hardwood floors.

Stone and tile floors should be sealed to prevent staining. To care for a sealed stone or tile floor, wash with warm water and a mild cleaner or a diluted solution of fabric softener.

Linoleum flooring should be waxed and washed with a damp cloth or mop. A vinegar solution will also work well.

For carpeting, vacuum regularly and remove stains as soon as possible. Get a reliable stain remover. Spray on the stain and leave it in for the time recommended by the manufacturer's directions. Then lift out with a washcloth or other absorbent cloth.

• Hoover
• Bissell
• Black & Decker
• Dyson
• Eureka
• Swiffer
• Armstrong