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Senso ‘Essential’ 3m wide vinyl sheet in Sherwood Clear, $58/linear m, I/N: 0228977‡
Cleaning and maintenance
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8 Winton ‘Ideal Series’ 457mm x 457mm self stick vinyl tile in White Marble, $96/pack of 16 (3.34sqm, $28.74/sqm), I/N: 6600045. 9 Senso ‘Prime’ 305mm x 305mm vinyl tile in Slate Anthracite, $24/pack of 11 (1sqm), I/N: 8916167†. 10 Senso ‘Urban’ 914mm x 152mm x 2mm self-adhesive vinyl plank in Whitetech, $59.18/pack of 16 (2.2sqm, $26.90/sqm), I/N: 6600075. 11 Kinchrome magnetic folding utility knife, $27.95, I/N: 5760297.
Whether you’re looking after tiles or timber, carpet or vinyl, these top tips will get your place glowing from the ground up
W Words Gun Arvidssen. Photography Senso by Gerflor. Some photographs feature products from suppliers other than Bunnings. †Available to order online or at the Special Orders Desk. ‡Not all products are available in all states and territories.
hat’s the best way to get sad-looking floors like new again? Read on for advice on cleaning and caring for the most popular types of flooring. Timber finishes Dirt and sand can scratch a solid timber floor, so the top tip is simply to vacuum or sweep with an electrostatic mop. “These floors are best vacuumed weekly, as dust, dander and other allergens can work their way into the cracks between floorboards,” says Craig Knighton of Vax. You can also use a damp but thoroughly wrung out mop – microfibre flat mops are better than sponge or string ones here. Check your cleaning product is pH-neutral and not spirit or solvent based, avoid abrasive or concentrated detergents, and never use scourers or steel wool. Minor scratches in floorboards can often be touched up using a tinted wax crayon. You can also try a touch-up pen or buffand-polish fluid. If there is a deeper scratch or ding, but the damage is not extensive enough to justify refinishing the whole floor, a timber touch-up kit might save the day.
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1 Oates 350mm dust control mop with extension handle, $27.50, I/N: 4481353. 2 Sabco ‘XL Total’ microfibre mop with antibacterial wet pad, $40.65, I/N: 4480228. 3 Long Life timber floor cleaner, $10.50/1L, I/N: 4460500. 4 Waxstix ‘Timbermate’ touch up crayon in Mahogany, $6.55, I/N: 1580209. 5 Cabot’s touch up pen in Walnut Brown, $10.30/10ml, I/N: 1520532. 6 Gilly’s scratch cover in Dark, $21.95/100ml, I/N: 1851553. 7 Timbermate timber touch up kit in Mixed Colours, $32.29, I/N: 1560008. Some products are not available at all Bunnings stores, but may be ordered.
Vinyl collection Denise Retallick of Gerflor (Senso) says, “Vinyl flooring is by far one of the easiest types of floors to maintain. Scuff marks, dirt and grime will effortlessly wipe away with any pH-neutral cleaner.” However, decades-old vinyl flooring that’s sustained heavy wear might need to be replaced. Consider self-adhesive vinyl planks which are easy to install and very hardwearing – and in the unlikely event you manage to gouge or scrape one, there’s a simple solution: “Using a hair dryer, gently warm the damaged plank for several minutes, then prise up the edge with a utility knife until you can grab it,” says Denise. “Then just remove the plank and replace it with a new one.” } EXPERT TIP Avoid using a steam mop on solid timber flooring, as heat and moisture may cause the boards to deform and compromise the coating
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