How to Choose the Right Floor Cleaner for Your Home

Most homes mix flooring types — tile in the kitchen, marble in the living room, maybe vinyl or wood-look laminate in a bedroom. The right cleaner (and the right dilution) depends on the surface.

Vitrified and ceramic tile are the most forgiving — a standard floor cleaner, diluted as directed, works well for routine mopping.

Marble and other natural stone are more sensitive to strong acids and abrasives, which can dull the finish over time — stick to a cleaner labelled safe for natural stone and avoid leaving it to sit undiluted.

Vinyl and laminate do best with a lightly damp mop rather than a heavily soaked one, since standing water can seep into seams over time.

When in doubt, test any new product in a small, inconspicuous corner first — it only takes a minute and avoids a visible mark on a floor you use every day.