Tuesday, March 31, 2015

Simple Ways to Clean Your Tile and Grout

Tile flooring, especially the grout part, can be extremely hard to keep clean. Even after sweeping, crumbs and dirt can be left behind. A simple wipe of a tiled surface can sometimes miss spots because the grout lines are often slightly deeper than the surface. Floors for Less wants to share these tile cleaning tips from Better Home and Gardens with you to help keep your tile floors looking great!

Tile Cleaning Basics


Too keep your Madison tile floors looking beautiful, regular cleaning is required. Start by sweeping or vacuuming your glazed tile floors regularly to keep them from getting dull. While tile may be resistant to dirt, sand and grit can dull the surface. Once you swept away any small particles, clean the tile with mild detergent and clean water. Be sure to use a rag or chamois-type mop rather than a sponge mop. Sponge mops push dirty water into grout lines and makes them harder to clean. Also make sure to change the water frequently because dirty water will make the floor look cloudy.


If a basic cleaning doesn't do the trick, here are couple more tips for making your tile floors in Madison, Wisconsin look great!

1. Removing Residue - If your tiles look hazy, they may have some type of residue on them. You can easily remove the film with a nonabrasive all-purpose cleaner. If needed, you could try a mild acid, such as fresh lemon juice, on ceramic tile. However, never use anything acidic on marble tile. Be sure to rinse the tile thoroughly with clean water and then buff dry with a clean, lint-free cloth.

2. Great Looking Grout - The real secret to having a great looking tile floor is keeping the grout clean as well. A simple sweep and mop of the tile doesn't take care of the grout. Grout is porous and absorbs grease and other stains. Below are some grout cleaning tips for you to try!

Cleaning the Grout


Grout lines are magnets when it comes to attracting dirt and grime. Dingy grout can detract from the beauty of your tile. Often times, you can clean your grout with common household products. This video shows a couple of these methods.

If your grout is stained to where these products don't get the job done, try one of the other methods listed below:

1. New Tile and Grout - If you have just purchased new tile and grout, now is the time to start cleaning it. Some preventative maintenance can help you avoid the methods described above. Keep your new grout looking its best by using a grout sealer 10-14 days after the grout cures.


2. Lightly Stained Grout - If your grout is not just dirty but is actually stained, use a strong bleach solution. Use 3/4 cup of bleach to 1 gallon of water. Scrub this solution with a small brush or toothbrush. Don't scrub too hard because it is possible to damage the grout. Wear safety goggles to prevent the bleach from spattering in your eyes and keep the area well ventilated. If you don't want to use bleach, try a foaming grout cleaner. If you go this route, you may need to soak the area for several minutes for it to be effective.

3. Deeply Stained Grout - Many professional carpet cleaning services can also clean tile and grout. If the home remedies or store bought grout products don't get rid of the stains, consider this option. If that still doesn't work, it is probably time to replace the grout. You can purchase a special tool for removing grout. Once you've removed the grout, clean the space between the tiles with a strong bleach solution. Now you are ready to apply new grout and re-seal it. Be careful to not spill bleach on porcelain because the solution might cause pitting, or yellow or pink stains.

Floors for Less is here to help you with all your flooring needs! Whether you're looking for cleaning tips, flooring trends or are interested in purchasing brand new flooring, our Madison, Wisconsin flooring company is here to serve you. Stop by our showroom and talk to one of our flooring professionals today!

For all your flooring needs, contact the BEST flooring company in Madison, WI


1017 Applegate Rd., Suite 200
Madison, WI 53713
Phone: 608-442-1200


Thursday, March 19, 2015

4 Tips for Removing Marks from Your Hardwood Floors

With a little preventative maintenance, you can keep your Madison hardwood floors looking great even longer.  You can prevent marks by using floor protectors under furniture and placing rugs in areas to ensure children's toys don't scratch the floor. Here are 4 tips from Better Homes and Gardens on removing marks from your hardwoods:

Removing Marks from Hardwoods


Before trying to remove a mark, consider your hardwood floor's finish. If the stain is on the surface, your floor probably has a hard finish, such as urethane. For these surface stains, you should be able to simply wipe the floor with a soft, clean cloth. Never use sandpaper, steel wool or harsh chemicals on a floor with a hard finish because they can permanently damage the finish. If the stain has penetrated through to the wood, the floor probably has a soft oiled finish. This soft oil finish is common in older homes who's floors have not been refinished and resealed.

Remedies for Marks on Soft Oil Finished Floors  


1. Dark Spots and Pet Stains - Rub the spot with No. 000 steel wool and some floor wax. If the area is still dark, apply bleach or vinegar and allow it to soak into the wood for about an hour. Be sure to rinse the area with a damp cloth when the hour is up.

2. Hell Marks - Use a fine steel wool to rub in floor wax.

3. Oil Based Stains - Rub the area with a soft cloth and dishwashing detergent to break down the grease. Be sure to rinse thoroughly with clear water. If one application doesn't get rid of the mark, repeat the procedure. Keep children and pets away from the room until you're done. Let the spot dry, then smooth the raised grain with fine sandpaper.

4. Water Marks or White Stains - Rub the spot with No. 000 steel wool and floor wax. If the stain goes deeper, lightly sand the flood and clean with fine steel wool and odorless mineral spirits.

If needed, end each of the treatments above by staining the wood, then waxing and buffing the spot to match the rest of the floor.

If your hardwood floors in Madison, Wisconsin are too marked up for these treatments to solve the problem, consider installing new ones. Floors for Less has hardwood flooring in a variety of shades and styles. Stop by our showroom to see our selection. Get good flooring at a great price at our Madison flooring company!

For all your flooring needs, contact the BEST flooring company in Madison, WI


1017 Applegate Rd., Suite 200
Madison, WI 53713
Phone: 608-442-1200


Monday, March 16, 2015

Test Your Knowledge of St. Patrick's Day

The Irish holiday filled with traditions is here! Grab your green clothing and get ready to celebrate St. Patrick's Day tomorrow. In celebration of this fun holiday, Floors for Less brings you some St. Patrick's Day Trivia! Test your knowledge with these questions below:

1. Leprechauns often have a "shillelagh" with them. What is a shillelagh? 


A. a Big Stick
B. a Four Leaf Clover
C. a Pot of Gold
D. a Backpack

2. Which of the following animal legends is told about St. Patrick? 


A. He chased away rats by playing his flute.
B. He could talk to the birds.
C. He drove the snakes out of Ireland.
D. He attracted animals with his teachings.

3. Legend has it that if you kiss the Blarney Stone, you will what? 


A. Have 7 Years Bad Luck
B. Gain the "Gift of Gab"
C. Turn Green
D. Get all the Gold

4. The name "Patrick" is derived from the Latin word meaning what? 


A. "Father of His People"
B. "Hunter of Snakes"
C. "Brilliant Light"
D. "Teacher"

5. The expression "Erin Go Braugh" means what? 


A. Kiss me, I'm Irish
B. Everybody's Irish
C. Go Ireland
D. Ireland Forever


6. What was the first color associated with St. Patrick's Day? 


A. Green
B. Blue
C. Red
D. Gold

7. Irish is the __________ most reported ancestry in the US. 


A. First
B. Third
C. Fifth
D. Second


8. What day in the life of St. Patrick does March 17th supposedly mark? 


A. His Birthday
B. His Death
C. The Day He Became a Slave
D. The Day He Bought his Freedom

9. For what purpose was St. Patrick's Day originally created? 


A. to outrank St. Valentine's Day for popularity.
B. as an excuse to drink heavily.
C. as a day of prayer for spiritual missions.
D. as a day to wear green.

10. What is the Hibernian Society? 


A. Irish people who stay home on St. Patrick's Day.
B. a charitable group that helps Irish Immigrants.
C. a group of Irish mobsters.
D. the group of people that started St. Patrick's Day.

11. Why do you get pinched on St. Patrick's Day if you aren't wearing green? 


A. You've been naughty.
B. It's a fun way to meet new people.
C. Leprechauns can see you.
D. You're disobedient.

12. What American St. Patrick's Day tradition began as an accident? 


A. Dyeing Rivers Green
B. Having a Parade
C. Wearing Green
D. Finding a Pot of Gold


Happy St. Patrick's Day from your Madison flooring company! For all your flooring needs, visit Floors for Less. From hardwoods to tile to carpet, we have the best flooring in Madison, Wisconsin! Stop by and check out our showroom today!

**ANSWERS**

1. A - a Big Stick 
2. C - He drove the snakes out of Ireland. 
3. D - Gain the "Gift of Gab" 
4. A - "Father of His People" 
5. D - Ireland Forever
6. B - Blue 
7. D - Second
8. B - His Death
9. C - as a day of prayer for spiritual missions. 
10. B - a charitable group that helps Irish Immigrants
11. C - Leprechauns can see you. 
12. A - Dyeing Rivers Green 

For all your flooring needs, contact the BEST flooring company in Madison, WI


1017 Applegate Rd., Suite 200
Madison, WI 53713
Phone: 608-442-1200


Tuesday, March 10, 2015

Choosing the Right Floor for Your Lifestyle

When it comes to flooring options in Madison, Wisconsin, your choices are endless. Flooring plays a major role in not only the look, but also the feel and functionality of your home. From hardwood to tile to carpet, you should explore all types of flooring surfaces to best fit your lifestyle and budget. Here are a few things from HGTV to consider when choosing your Madison flooring:

1. Know Your Style. 


Your flooring choice is about balancing your needs with your style. What colors and patterns do you like? Since the floor is usually the largest surface in the room, it lays the foundation for the entire look of the space, from color to style, texture to pattern. Think about which textures appeal to you, the rich grain of a nice hardwood or the fluffiness of a soft carpet. You should also take into account the current decor, unless you plan on redecorating with the addition of the new flooring.

2. Consider Your Lifestyle. 


Think about the use of the room your adding new flooring to. If you're an avid cooking that stands on the kitchen floor all day, tile can get very uncomfortable when standing on it for long periods of time. If your remodeling the bathroom however, tile stands up well to water. Your floor will need to be able to stand up to the wear and tear from your family, while also accommodating your activities.

3. Crunch the Numbers. 


Along with your lifestyle comes a budget. In order for your lifestyle to stay the same while undergoing this large investment, you need to consider a budget and sticks to it. Keep in mind that in addition to the cost of the floor materials, you will need to include the cost of underlayment, delivery and installation. You should also consider the cost of removal and disposal of your previous flooring.

A new floor can be a big investment, so you'll want something you like and that will last for years. At Floors for Less, we have all types of flooring to fit your needs, from engineered hardwoods to tile and carpet. Stop by our Wisconsin flooring showroom or give us a call at 608-442-1200 today to start your search!

For all your flooring needs, contact the BEST flooring company in Madison, WI


1017 Applegate Rd., Suite 200
Madison, WI 53713
Phone: 608-442-1200


Wednesday, March 4, 2015

5 Tips for Picking a Wood Floor Color

Hardwood flooring in Madison, Wisconsin, can not only increase your home's market value, but also add some beauty and charm to a room. You can't go wrong with hardwood flooring, unless you choose the wrong color. With so many choices, how do you know which color hardwood will work in your home? The color you choose needs to complement your walls, furnishings, architecture and color scheme. If you just choose the color you like best in the store, you're probably going to be disappointed once you see it installed. Here are 5 tips for choosing the right hardwood flooring color from HomeGuides.SFGate.com.

1. Visit the showroom at Floors for Less. 


When you go, take along a throw pillow, paint chip or cabinet wood sample from the room that you will be installing the wood floors. A flooring showroom can be overwhelming if you don't have anything to compare the wood samples with. Taking along some items from your home will help you determine which wood colors would coordinate best with what is currently in that room. 

2. Narrow your choices down. 


Once you've looked through all the choices, narrow it down to several of your top choices. Its not necessary to match your wood cabinets with your floor color. Instead, choose colors that will compliment your cabinets. If your cabinetry is a light oak color with a dark grain, you might select a dark floor color to enhance the cabinets. Keep in mind that warm reds, browns and golden wood tones tend to make a room cozy, while cool white and gray wood floors can make a room feel more spacious. 

3. Take samples home with you. 


Choose 3 different Wisconsin flooring samples to take home with you. Taking more than 3 samples can confuse your final selection, rather than helping to narrow it down. If you are having trouble narrowing it down, consider the price as well. Oak and maple are typically less expensive than walnut, Brazilian cherry and hickory. Oak, however, can often be stained in a variety of colors, such as reddish hues and golden or chocolaty browns. 

4. Consider the lighting. 


Be sure to take a look at your samples in daylight and under nighttime artificial light. Slide the samples next to the baseboards in your room and step back to see how they look against your walls and woodwork. You should also position samples next to adjoining floors and beside furniture pieces. Leaving the room for a few minutes and coming back to view the samples will give you a fresh persepective, getting your inital reaction upon entering the room. This is a good measure of how you'll feel about the entire floor being covered in a particular wood color. 

5. Eliminate your least favorite. 


While this can be the trickiest step, try to eliminate your least favorite of the 3 samples. Then continue examining and compairng the other 2 pieces until you reach your final decision. Make sure you compare the choices with everything that will be in the completed room. While you may like one better by itself, what really matters is how that flooring is going to bring the entire room together.

Our Madison flooring professionals are here to help answer all your hardwood flooring questions! At Floors for Less, we only sell products that we can buy directly from local distributors to save you money. We specialize in "hard-to-find at reasonable prices" 4-inch wide wood. Stop by and check out our flooring showroom today!

For all your flooring needs, contact the BEST flooring company in Madison, WI


1017 Applegate Rd., Suite 200
Madison, WI 53713
Phone: 608-442-1200