Tips will help keep your floor clear, shiny

Winter conditions always produce a negative effect on floor surfaces. Heavy boots and materials cause scratches and dark scuff marks.

Throughout my weekly travels it has become evident that a lot of flooring in our community establishments is in bad need of scuff removal. Below are a few cost saving tips that will help spruce up our community floors.

Scuff marks are black streaks usually left behind by items that have a hard rubber bottom, such as heels, hard-sole shoes, ladders, furniture, toys, etc. Check out the following tricks:

n For small scuff marks, try using a regular pencil eraser. Rub the spot firmly until it disappears. Be sure to clean up the eraser shavings, if not they can re-stain the floor.

n For large scuff marks, try using a rubber tennis shoe. With the shoe on your foot, rub the spot firmly with your heel. You’ll be surprised how quickly the mark comes up.

n For large areas, take a plain tennis ball and cut a small hole in it then insert a push broom handle into it. You be surprised at how quickly scuffs can be removed.

n If you have scuffs that are difficult to remove, mix about 2 tablespoons of baking soda with warm water to make a paste. Using a soft cloth, apply the paste to the mark and aggressively scrub the spot. Once the mark is clean, use a damp cloth to clean up the area.

n For concrete floors, wet the floor and apply orange citrus concentrate degreaser. Allow the degreaser to sit on the spot for a few hours.

Using a scrub brush, scrub the area then wipe up the residual.

Please remember to wear rubber gloves to protect your hands and eye protection for your eyes when using any chemical compounds.

If you would like to share a cleaning idea or concept with the reading audience, call Ed at NWES (255-2266), e-mail them to nwees@hughes.net or send them to Bonner County Daily Bee, 310 Church St., Sandpoint, ID 83864, Attn: What Would Ed do? For more information about Ed, go online to www.nwees.com.

Copy written by Edmond E. Madan, certified indoor environmental professional, forensic, fire, flood, mold Inspection and remediation/restoration contractor. Ed is the president of Northwest Environmental Services, Inc.