Carpet flooring is, without a doubt, the most difficult flooring to keep clean. There are so many factors that work against you when it comes to this flooring; one of the known ones being its inability to handle stains.
Generally, the best color flooring to hide dirt and dust is light grey or light brown. Dirt and dust are on full display on bright, white floors, while dust tends to show up relatively easily on dark colored floors.
Good choices are linoleum, ceramic tile–both very common–and wood. Linoleum is inexpensive and provides an easy-to-clean surface and comes in countless designs. Ceramic tiles are even better.
Vinyl, laminate and engineered wood are extremely easy to care for. Materials that need to be sealed, like stone and linoleum, are much higher maintenance. ✔️ Health and sustainability: Some floors are better for you and for the planet. As a rule, the fewer synthetic materials they contain, the better.
“Tile is the highest-rated flooring among the categories we test,” says Enrique de Paz, who leads flooring testing at Consumer Reports. “It doesn't wear out, scratch, or stain. Its color doesn't fade, it's waterproof, and it is surprisingly slip-resistant, even when wet.
Tile flooring made from har material such as ceramic or porcelain are among the most scratch-resistant flooring you can find. Tile flooring is also one of the most versatile, customizable flooring options with a multitude of shapes, sizes, colors, patterns and styles.
Lifespan. Thick, quality vinyl flooring can last up to 25 years, with thinner vinyl flooring's lifespan limited to less than 10 years. Laminate flooring can last between 15 and 25 years, though poorly maintained laminate may last only five to 10 years.
Healthier flooring options include solid wood, natural linoleum, cork, bamboo, tile and stone. A key feature of all of these is that they are easily cleaned of dust and dirt.
Porcelain tile: Porcelain tile is a form of ceramic tile often used in showers, bathtubs, pools, and other pure-water areas. This material is highly resistant to intense water, thanks to the very fine clays and high firing temperatures used in its creation.
While costs are similar, the value of premium vinyl far exceeds that of laminate based on quality and value. Unlike laminate, premium vinyl is durable and stable, resistant to moisture and climate, and is easy to install and maintain. Laminate is restricted to light traffic and low moisture applications.
So, what flooring looks cleanest? Typically, lighter color woods show less dirt and dust. Dark floors can easily show dust, while lighter floors mask it. Similarly, matte floors show less smudges, foot and paw prints than high gloss flooring.
Finally, given the tone of light floors, they tend to appear cleaner longer. Light-colored flooring often shows less dust, debris than do dark floors and pesky, inevitable scratches and damage will be less obvious.
Classic medium-toned browns such as cherrywood, mahogany, oak, maple, walnut, birch wood, and hickory are all timeless colors that never go out of style. Cherrywood is a deep, rich color that has a deep mahogany shade with warm tones of red or brown, often mixed with hints of pink and even purple.
Tiles in lighter tones are harder to clean, so you'll want to lean toward beiges, grays, or even slightly darker shades. Matte finishes also do a good job of keeping dirt out of sight, and this finish will also make your tile much less slippery when wet.
No hidden debris: Dust, dirt, and debris are more visible on dark colored flooring, meaning you'll have to clean them more often. A daily sweep and weekly mop can keep the floors cleaner and keep the visible debris down.
A common concern about mopping is its effectiveness. A dirty mop will just move the filth around the house and not clean the floors. However, a clean mop and good mopping technique will effectively remove grime and germs from the floor.
WPC and SPC Vinyl is a great waterproof option for bathrooms and other wet, high traffic areas. Vinyl can look like wood planks, stone, and even ceramic tile. WPC and SPC Vinyl flooring are rigidcore products, combining the durability, scratch resistance and waterproof features of vinyl.
Scratch-resistant flooring is an ideal option for pet owners. Laminate, tile, and vinyl floors are all great options that can withstand scratching and denting. Laminate floors are a great choice, as they offer the look of hardwood but with added protection against claw marks.
Porcelain and ceramic tiles are known for their “COOLER” nature. Thus, making them a preferred choice for flooring houses in hot and humid climates.
Ceramic, Porcelain & Glass Tile
Tile is a safe, non-toxic flooring option that is easy to maintain. Ceramic, porcelain and glass tiles are all durable options for solid-surface flooring and are a great option for rooms with moisture, like bathrooms and kitchens.
Laminate flooring is healthier than carpet in terms of being considered as being more hygienic and hypoallergenic than carpet. This means that if you are often prone to many sorts of allergens such as dust or pollen, laminate flooring would be the wiser choice.
Flooring Installation Cost Per Square Foot
Hardwood flooring is the most expensive material to install (close to $10 per square foot or more).
Con: LVP May Dent
Luxury vinyl flooring can dent and even scratch or scuff, especially from heavy appliances, furniture, or other weighty objects. Just because it's resistant to something doesn't mean it's impervious to it. However, do know that LVP resists scratches better than real hardwood.
Durability. Laminate and LVT/LVP flooring are both extremely durable, but they have their weaknesses. Laminate is prone to scratches and chipped corners over time, so vinyl is probably a better choice for your home if you have pets. LVT/LVP is scratch-resistant, but it's more vulnerable to denting and tearing.
You should sweep and mop them regularly. Use a specialty mop to clean them without excess liquid. Though laminate floors are water resistant, if they are soaked in water, they can be damaged. The best way to clean laminate floors is to use products especially made for them.