FloorTalk – for all the latest flooring fashions

Question: I just moved into a condo that appears to have very good quality laminate floors. I noticed that there are a couple of marks on the floors that I want to get rid of. It actually looks like the previous owner had a piece of furniture in the room that left sorme sort of dye on the floor. I have no idea how to remove the stain. I have never had laminate flooring and do not know what to use to clean marks left on the floor.

Answer: Good for you for checking to see what to do before putting multiple cleaners on the floor! Multiple cleaners can leave build up and films that are difficult to remove. If you know who the manufacturer is, I would use the cleaner that they recommend. Otherwise, I would use a cleaner that is specifically made for laminate floors. The dye could be from water that found its way onto the base of the furniture. Follow the instructions provided on the bottle of laminate cleaner and some elbow grease should be all you need!

Mohawk Industries has won a GPEC 2009 Recycling Award from the Society of Plastics Engineers!

The award, to be presented during the Global Plastics Environmental Conference in Orlando, recognizes companies that have created innovative ways to address recycling challenges for plastic materials. Mohawk was given its award in the category of “carpet/flooring/wallcoverings.” Mohawk was recognized for its GreenWorks Center, a recycling facility that can recycle all major types of synthetic carpet. Mohawk GreenWorks Center is unique in that it can process not just nylon 6 but also nylon 6.6 and polypropylene. What’s more, the Mohawk GreenWorks Center uses patent pending technology to process 100% of the carpet-fiber, backing, and latex-and recover approximately 90% of all materials. The GreenWorks facility is also easily replicated, so it can go to the carpet, which makes recycling more feasible. It can be scaled for the amount of material that needs to be processed. The GreenWorks Center also has the capability to process certain thermoplastic non-carpet recyclables, which makes it even more attractive to recycling companies. Most importantly, though, is that with this system, almost no carpet materials go into landfills. “We are greatly appreciative of this particular award because it is recognition from the specialists around the world tasked with solving industrial environmental challenges,” said Frank Endrenyi, Vice President, Sustainable Development. “We’re very pleased that our technology was singled out as an example by this group of technical experts.” Mohawk has been working for years with the carpet industry’s C.A.R.E. (Carpet America Recovery Effort) initiative to develop new ways of approaching the challenge of what to do with old carpet. The Mohawk GreenWorks Center is an answer to this challenge. The Mohawk GreenWorks Center is now open in Chatsworth, GA, but because the plants can be built anywhere, recyclers can keep costs down by being close to any GreenWorks processing center. Mohawk Industries has taken a leadership role in environmental issues through its GreenWorks program, an “umbrella” program that places all green projects under a single platform for customers and shareholders. Mohawk Industries has literally hundreds of environmentally-oriented projects in the works at any given time. These range from internal efforts to cut emissions at a single plant, to the industry’s largest recycling project that converts as much as one-quarter of all the recycled soft drink and water bottles sold in North America into carpet fiber. Mohawk is the largest recycler in the flooring industry. Mohawk currently diverts more than three billion pounds of pre- and post-consumer waste from landfills, and this number continues to grow. More than 500 Mohawk products—carpet, carpet tiles, cushion, laminates, and ceramic tile—contain recycled materials. Recycled materials come from Mohawk processes and from a range of other products, including old tires, roofing materials, old wood furniture, soft drink bottles, carpet, and others sources. To learn more about Mohawk GreenWorks, visit the company’s website devoted exclusively to Mohawk green projects: www.mohawkgreenworks.com.

New product: Revision Porcelain by Ragno USA

Revision is the porcelain tile par excellence. Its very high quality and attention to detail are synonymous with contemporary design.  A collection of new, large formats suitable for interiors matching creatively tradition and modernity. Definite contrasts for those who wish to be daring with style and originality.

Revision porcelain coordinating floor and wall tile includes new, large formats suitable for interiors. The black wall panel (pictured), made of Revisions stripes, emphasizes the vertical dimension of the bathroom, according to the manufacturer. With soft colors, the product helps to define a personal and intimate space.

This tile is an excellent choice for places that require unique accents or a statement to be made.

The purpose of Ragno is to offer customers in the United States porcelain tiles whose quality is unmatched by any local or Italian producer, available locally with the lead times and freight costs of a domestically made tile. This is extremely important for a tight building schedule.

Question: I have Wilsonart Estate Plus Laminate flooring – Kota Slate.  I am interested in using a new product called the H2O Mop which employs steam to clean and sanitize the floor.  They claim that this product is usable on all types of flooring, including laminate, with one caveat, that the floors are sealed.  It uses steam which is immediately sucked up, exposing the floor to minimum moisture.  I would like to know if this cleaning method would be safe to use on my flooring or if the steam or heat would be detrimental to it.  It looks to be very efficient in its cleaning.

Can you recommend this cleaning method for my flooring product?  Have you had others who have used it and shared their experiences?  It seems that you would like to recommend it to customers if it is a successful method for cleaning your floors.  All info regarding this mopping system can be found online.  It appears to be a better cleaning system than others (Bona)offered at this time.  I would appreciate any feedback/recommendations that you have.  Thank you.

Answer:

According to H20 Mop’s technical / customer service they confirmed that the product is safe on floors that are sealed, but they did say to be cautious with the joints of the laminate. They said if the steam can get down in those joints then it could cause delamination. They have heard reports of the laminate coming up or delaminating in the corners. This could also make the joints expand and contract leaving your floor warped or buckled.

Since laminate is such a low maintenance product, I would recommend following the advice on our website:
rather than taking the chance of harming your laminate floors. Although if you really want to use the product, they do recommend testing the mop in an inconspicuous area first.

Using a manufacture approved floor cleaner should be all you need to keep your floors clean and sanitized!

Q & A with the technical department at the National Wood Flooring Association:

Q: What species of hardwood are most likely to fade?

A: Brazilian cherry and American Cherry

Q:How much do these species change color?

A: They can darken up to 3-4 times their original color.

Q:How long will the floors discolor?

A: The floors will continue to discolor or age with time, but the majority of the aging happens within 3-6 months. The process slows down and that point, but still continues.

Q: If the floors change color in the first 3-6 months, is it best to wait to put area rugs down?

A: If at all possible, it is best to wait 3-6 months before putting area rugs down.

Q: What causes floors to fade?

A: Too much UV light can bleach the wood.

Q: Are there products that can be applied to the floor that have sunblock in them?

A: No, nothing can be topically applied to the floor. The finishes already have UV light retarders in them.

Q: What can help the fading of hardwood floors?

A: Low E glass windows and some types of window treatments can help protect the floors.

Q: What finish has the least effective retarder?

A: Oil Modified Polyurethane

Q: Is the discoloration considered a flaw?

A: No, some people call this an aged look or a patina and realize that it is a natural characteristic of wood.

Q: What can you do if you already have area rugs down and have discoloration?

A: You can move the rugs a couple of inces every month so that there is no stark color change or visible line.

At Arizona Tile you will experience a vast selection of porcelain, glass, ceramics and natural stone that will truly elevate any design. At Arizona Tile, there’s a world of surfaces waiting to be explored. Through their exclusive relationships with select quarries and suppliers, you will discover stunning surfaces you won’t find anywhere else on Earth.

In business for over 30 years, their relationships with quarries and factories allow them to be at the forefront of new product development.  This has led to their importing of more than 230 varieties of granite, marble, limestone, travertine, slate and onyx slabs and tile, making them one of the largest independently-owned importers of stone in the United States.  Not only do they stock over 40 series of porcelain and glass tile, their relationships with manufacturers allow them to develop new product lines that are only available at Arizona Tile.

New to their line, Skylights glass tiles come in glossy and matte finishes and a variety of colors, including indigo, cashew, and moss. Mixed color mosaics are also available. Tiles come in 1-inch-by-1-inch or 3-inch-by-6-inch sizes and are mounted on 12-inch by 12-inch mesh sheets.

These tiles can be used in showers, tub surrounds, sink splashes, kitchen backsplashes, mirror frames, tub splashes and more. Only your imagination limits you to how these tiles can be used.

Click here to find a retailer in your area that can supply you with these tiles.

Every year nearly 40,000 floor covering retailers, distributors, architects, designers, builders and installers come to SURFACES to discover new products, new trends, new installation techniques and network with their peers. What does that mean for you? I will be attending again this year to scout out the latest and greatest to bring back to you.

This year, I will be looking for:

• New Trends in color
• The latest design styles
• New techniques in installation
• Texture, Texture, Texture
• New product introductions
• Developments in floor care products
• Unique products and styles

What all will be shown?

CARPET | CERAMIC TILE | HARDWOOD | LAMINATE | MARBLE | RESILIENT | RUGS | STONE | UNDERLAYMENT | WINDOW/WALL COVERINGS | ACCESSORIES | SPECIALTY FLOORING | AND MORE!

If you have any specific concerns or items I can put on my list to look for – please leave a comment for me and I will add you to the list!

Question:

We have recently had a limestone floor installed in our bathroom. The installer had previously applied a sealer.   I have looked at your web page and find it helpful, but my question is “can I use a Swiffer wet mop for day to day cleaning”?

Answer:

The Swiffer wet mop is safe to use on sealed limestone. One very important thing to remember is that sealers do not last forever and have to be reapplied depending on the amount of traffic your floors receive. Another thing to keep in mind is that limestone requires very little maintenance. For daily cleaning, you can simply sweep or dry Swiffer the floor. You only need a liquid cleaner when you have spills or stains.

FYI – If you’re looking for coupons for P&G products, through January, 2009 you can receive $120 of P&G coupon savings by mail when you buy $50 of P&G products.   For details check out their website at www.pgeverydaysolutions.com/rebate

Tired of tracking snow into the house? Here’s a helpful solution to help with the problem!

WarmlyYours has introduced HeatTrak portable snow melting products to provide a safe passageway.