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Keeping your floors clean is important not just for appearances, but also for health and preventing damage. However, different types of flooring have different cleaning needs. Here is a guide on how often you should vacuum major flooring types.

Carpets

Carpets require frequent and regular vacuuming more than any other type of flooring. They trap dust, dirt, pollen, pet hair and dander, and other debris deep in the fibers and padding underneath. If you allow debris to build up over time, it can damage the carpet fibers and lead to faster wear.

Most cleaning experts recommend vacuuming carpets at least twice per week, especially in high traffic areas. However, even less used carpeting should be vacuumed thoroughly once a week. Households with children or pets may need to vacuum every 2-3 days. Ensure you use a vacuum meant for carpeting and that the height is adjusted for your specific carpet length. Vacuuming against the natural nap direction first helps lift and remove dirt.

In addition to regular vacuuming, carpets should undergo periodic professional deep cleaning. The most effective method is hot water extraction, also called steam cleaning. This should be done every 12-18 months to clean beneath the surface, prevent matting, and keep carpets looking their best.

Laminate Flooring

Laminate flooring has surged in popularity in recent years as an attractive and affordable alternative to solid hardwood floors. Easy to install and quite durable, laminate replicates the look of natural wood beautifully while requiring little maintenance.

Most laminate flooring has a tough external wear layer that resists scratches, fading, and stains. As there is no natural wood exposed at the surface, water damage is not a concern as long as spills are cleaned rapidly.

Despite its resilient protective top layer, dust and dirt tracked inside can still dull and cloud laminate flooring’s natural shine over time. A weekly vacuum is recommended to keep your floors sparkling. Using soft brush, bare floor, or wand attachments with your vacuum instead of beater bars will help prevent fine scratches.

While laminate itself is water resistant, you still must vacuum up all standing liquids immediately to prevent them from seeping underneath into the fiberboard base and causing issues like mold or warping.

Luxury Vinyl Tile and Planks

Vinyl floor coverings have evolved far beyond dated linoleum into today’s luxury vinyl tiles (LVT) and planks (LVP). With realistic textures and patterns mimicking premium ceramic tile, wood, and stone, modern vinyl offers style and substance. Its markdown price point combined with extreme durability and low maintenance keeps luxury vinyl among the hottest flooring options available.

Like laminate, high-quality waterproof vinyl wears a protective top layer to resist scratches, spills, and staining. However, vinyl tends to show less damage over time and hides dirt better than average laminate, owing to its slightly porous/stippled surface. As a result, you may be able to go slightly longer than weekly between vacuums. Still, a quick pass over vinyl floors with your vacuum once per week is a good rule of thumb for keeping debris from accumulating and dulling their finish. More often is always better for preventing visible dirt buildup between deep cleans.

Maintenance Interval Recommendations by Flooring Type

·         Carpeting - Vacuum high traffic areas at least twice per week and perform a full vacuum everywhere else once weekly. Deep clean with steam extraction every 12-18 months.

·         Laminate Flooring – Vacuum weekly using proper hard floor attachments to avoid scratches. Clean spills ASAP. Deep clean every 1-2 years or as necessary to remove grime buildup in crevices.

·         Luxury Vinyl Flooring – Vacuum weekly to keep floors free of dulling dirt. Quickly wipe up spills when they occur to prevent possible seepage between seams. Deep clean every 1-2 years with steam or specialized vinyl cleaner to refresh.

Vacuuming is often overlooked as a key part of basic floor care and maintenance between time-intensive deep cleanings. But keeping floors free of surface debris and dust with regular, weekly vacuuming extends their life, optimizes appearance, improves indoor air quality, and takes just minutes each time. Develop a quick routine and your floors will thank you for years to come!

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