You should clean each type of floor covering based on the manufacturer's recommendations since some cleaning products can cause permanent damage if used on the wrong flooring. Thoroughly review any product information in your home purchase closing packet for care and cleaning suggestions.
Use these tips when cleaning the flooring coverings in your Clayton manufactured or modular home.
Taking Care of Carpet in Your Manufactured Home
Clayton uses beautiful and durable carpet from Shaw Floors® in our home models that have carpet, which includes fibers treated with Shaw’s R2X® stain and soil resistance for added repellency.
The amount of traffic you regularly have in your home may determine how often you vacuum your carpet. If you have children, pets or a lot of house guests, you may need to clean the carpet more often.
Depending on how much traffic you have, how often you should vacuum will vary. Typically, vacuuming once a week is sufficient, but in high traffic areas and in areas where there are pets or little ones, vacuuming every day is a good rule of thumb. Keep in mind that while over vacuuming your carpet is possible and can damage it, dirt generally damages carpet faster than the vacuum cleaner. Dirt, once in the carpet, can become a grinding and cutting agent that can further damage the carpet with more traffic. Most vacuums have adjustments that allows you to raise the beater bar when you vacuum carpet. This will help prolong the life of your carpet if used properly.
You may need to move some of your furniture as you vacuum, but try to avoid dragging furniture across carpet to prevent damaging the surface.
Sometimes, too much sunlight can fade the color of carpet. To reduce the chance of your carpet color fading, keep your window shades drawn during the day.
Taking Care of Resilient Vinyl Flooring in Your Manufactured Home
Remember, do not wax resilient or vinyl floors. Instead, they should be maintained and cleaned by frequently vacuuming and/or sweeping to remove dirt, grit and any other particles that happen to be on the surface. If a spill occurs, wipe it up with a nonabrasive cloth as soon as possible to prevent staining or loosening of the flooring. Afterwards, clean the area with warm water.
When it comes to dirt or dried mud, clean the floor using a small amount of warm water, then wipe the area with a clean towel until it's completely dry. Don't use cleaning products that contain alcohol, kerosene or turpentine as they can damage the surface permanently.
Sharp edges on your furniture or any other sharp-edged items will damage vinyl, which is not covered by your one-year home warranty. Purchasing and using furniture rests that you can find at your local hardware store is a good way to prevent damage from furniture, and installing them is quick and easy!
Taking Care of Hardwood/Tile Flooring in Your Manufactured Home
Most cleaning for hardwood and tile floors can be done by simply sweeping with a broom, especially if you are just cleaning for dry items like dirt, dust, etc. If a spill occurs, wipe it up with a nonabrasive cloth as soon as it happens to prevent staining or loosening of the flooring.
Don't use a steam cleaner on hardwood or laminate flooring. The excessive moisture and heat can seep into the floor and cause the wooden boards to swell. Hardwood floors can be affected by humidity and moisture, causing spacing between the wood pieces. However, it is important to note that this is normal. In drier air, the spacing may shrink while in more humid air, the spacing may expand.
Like carpet, direct sunlight can fade the color of your hardwood floors. To reduce the chance of this happening, keep your window shades drawn during the day.
Grout is the material that is between tile surfaces and can stain if liquids spilled on it are not immediately cleaned up. Protect your tile and grout from dirt and grit by placing rugs at exterior doors and high traffic areas.
Remember, always follow the manufacturer's guidelines for cleaning your flooring surfaces. This will help prevent accidentally voiding the manufacturer's warranty.
These suggestions can help you keep the flooring coverings in your dream home looking brand new! If you have any additional questions about your flooring, contact your local home center or the home building facility that constructed your Clayton home. For more ways to stay on top of home maintenance, check out our Home Care Guide tips.