CleaningWhen 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 are the go-to 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 instead. Our new apartment overlooks Khilkov Lane, and there turned out to be a nearby flooring store with reasonable prices on quality finishing materials and home goods.
They offered significant discounts on large orders, so we bought sofas, armchairs, a coffee table for the living room, and all the lighting for the apartment. The renovation turned out wonderfully, and everyone was happy.
Cleaning Unfinished Floors. Homeowners should sweep the floors thoroughly before washing them. For greasy stains, homeowners should make a thick paste from 2 tablespoons of kerosene, 1 teaspoon of washing soda, 2 teaspoons of ammonia, and 2 tablespoons of sifted sand. Homeowners should treat the stain with household soap first, then apply the paste. A stiff-bristled brush works best to work the paste in. Homeowners should let the paste sit for 20 minutes, then rinse with warm water and wash the floor. Homeowners can remove ink stains with a paste made from equal parts bleaching lime (calcium hypochlorite), washing soda, and warm water. Homeowners should rub this paste onto the stain and let it sit for a few minutes before rinsing with warm water. Alternatively, homeowners can dab ink stains with hydrogen peroxide mixed with a few drops of ammonia per tablespoon of peroxide; follow the same application method.
Homeowners should wash unfinished floors with a stiff brush. Homeowners should use brushes made from grass, bristles, nylon, or goose feathers; alternatively use a broom (without a dustpan). Homeowners should avoid excess water, since excess moisture can damage the boards. Unfinished floors are best painted with water-soluble paint, leaving a 10-15 cm strip unpainted near the joints. Installers or homeowners should lay down the linoleum and smooth it out from the center to the edges using a bag filled three-quarters with dry sand. Homeowners should place paper bags filled with dry sand on the smoothed linoleum for weight. Homeowners should trim the seam edges with a sharp shoemaker’s knife guided by a steel ruler. After treating the unpainted strip near the seam with mastic, homeowners should press it to the base and place sandbags on top. Homeowners can move furniture onto the linoleum one week after it has been laid.
For polishing linoleum, homeowners should use the same mastics as for parquet floors, but apply them in a thinner layer since linoleum does not absorb mastic. Homeowners should polish the linoleum with a floor brush or an electric polisher.
Rugs and Carpets. To protect a rug from premature wear, homeowners should 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. The longer the pile, the more durable the rug. Pure wool rugs are more durable than those made from synthetic fibers or blends.
Homeowners should place several layers of newspaper under the rug, leaving a 3-4 cm margin from the edge; this helps prevent premature wear. Homeowners should avoid placing rugs in areas where doors need to open and close, since the pile will wear down.
New rugs may shed loose fibers, but this is not a defect; excess fibers will come out after a few cleanings. For the first month and a half to two months, homeowners should sweep rugs with a dry broom. After that period, homeowners should use a vacuum cleaner no more than once or twice a week. Homeowners should avoid pressing the vacuum nozzle too hard against the rug when vacuuming. Owners can beat the rug from the back, then clean the front side with a brush or broom. To refresh the colors, homeowners should 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.
