When it comes to renovations, we all approach the task with a sense of responsibility, especially if it’s our own apartment. And if this isn’t our first renovation, we naturally have a wealth of experience regarding all aspects of the process. This is particularly true for flooring, as we actively use our floors—walking on them, placing furniture on them, and dragging chair legs across them, among other things.
In 90% of cases, laminate and engineered wood flooring are the go-to choices for flooring materials. Linoleum was also quite popular in the past; we used to install it in our old apartment. However, after moving to a new place in Moscow, we initially decided on laminate but later changed our minds and opted for engineered wood flooring instead. Our new apartment overlooks Khilkov Lane, and it turned out there was a fantastic flooring store nearby with reasonable prices on all kinds of finishing materials and home goods, all of good quality.
A pleasant surprise was that they offer significant discounts for large orders, so we decided to purchase sofas, soft chairs, a coffee table for the living room, and all the lighting for the apartment. Overall, our renovation turned out wonderfully, and everyone was satisfied.
Cleaning Unfinished Floors. Before washing the floors, sweep them thoroughly. For greasy stains, use a thick mixture made from two tablespoons of kerosene, one teaspoon of washing soda, two teaspoons of ammonia, and two tablespoons of sifted sand. Apply this paste to the stain, which should first be treated with household soap. The best way to work the paste in is with a stiff-bristled brush. After applying, let it sit for 20 minutes, then rinse with warm water and wash the floor. Ink stains on unfinished floors can be removed with a paste made from equal parts of bleaching lime (calcium hypochlorite), washing soda, and warm water. Rub this paste onto the stain and let it sit for a few minutes before rinsing with warm water. Ink stains can also be treated by dabbing them with hydrogen peroxide mixed with a few drops of ammonia per tablespoon of peroxide. The application method is the same.
It’s recommended to wash unfinished floors with a stiff brush. Brushes can be made from grass, bristles, nylon, or goose feathers; you can also use a broom (without a dustpan). Avoid excess water, as it can cause the floorboards to dry out. Unfinished floors are best painted with water-soluble paint, leaving a 10-15 cm strip unpainted near the joints. Then, lay down the linoleum and smooth it out from the center to the edges using a bag filled three-quarters with dry sand. For weight, place paper bags filled with dry sand on the smoothed linoleum. Trim the edges of the seams with a sharp shoemaker’s knife along a steel ruler. After treating the unpainted strip near the seam with mastic, attach it to the base and place sandbags on top. You can move furniture onto the linoleum a week after it has been laid.
For polishing linoleum, use the same mastics as for parquet floors, but apply them in a thinner layer since linoleum does not absorb mastic. Polish the linoleum with a floor brush or an electric polisher.
Rugs and Carpets. To protect your rug from premature wear, it’s essential to use it correctly. Rugs are made from wool, synthetic fibers, and blends of both. The size, pattern, and color of the rug should complement the room’s furnishings. Durability is a crucial factor for rugs; the longer the pile, the more resilient it is. Pure wool rugs are more durable than those made from synthetic fibers or blends.
Place several layers of newspaper under the rug, leaving a 3-4 cm margin from the edge; this helps prevent premature wear. Avoid placing rugs in areas where doors need to open and close, as the pile will wear down.
New rugs may shed loose fibers, but this is not a defect; excess fibers will be completely removed after a few cleanings. For the first month and a half to two months, it’s recommended to sweep the rugs with a dry broom. After that, you can use a vacuum cleaner, but no more than once or twice a week. When vacuuming, avoid pressing the nozzle too hard against the rug. You can beat the rug from the back, and then clean the front side with a brush or broom. To refresh the colors, wipe the thoroughly beaten and cleaned rug with a clean cloth dampened with vinegar and wrung out. After this treatment, the rug must be dried thoroughly.