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Now that you know the true pleasure of a squeaky-clean floor, you’re probably wondering how to keep floors clean between mop days. Here are the best tips to keep your floor looking spotless:

• Give floors a quick daily swipe with a microfiber mop.

• Keep a spray bottle of your cleaning solution on hand to use as needed.

• Sweep daily and vacuum once or twice a week.

• Clean up spills and messes as soon as they happen.

• Place a doormat at each entrance to your home to reduce mud tracking.

• Consider enforcing a “no shoes inside” policy.

• Wash your pet’s paws before letting them back inside.

Hardwood offers the highest ROI at around 75%. Engineered hardwood, tile, reclaimed wood, and laminate also increase a home’s value but with lower ROIs. Lighter tiles tend to increase a home’s value slightly more than darker tiles. Taking the ROI into account when you choose flooring can increase your home value and allow you to recoup some or all of the cost to install it.

The need to replace your flooring depends on the type of flooring and the amount of wear and tear it experiences through foot traffic. For example, you should replace carpet every ten years, but other, more durable options like tile can last up to 30 years. It’s best to speak with your flooring installation professional to determine the best course for replacing your flooring. 

In most cases, you do not need to put padding or underlayment under carpet tiles. Unlike traditional carpet, which requires a separate pad, carpet tiles are designed to be installed directly onto a firm subfloor like plywood, concrete, or tile. Many carpet tiles come with a built-in underlay and attach with peel-and-stick adhesive, double-sided carpet tape, or glue. For a more comfortable, cushioned feel, especially in residential settings, you can opt for padded carpet tiles that have a thicker underlay attached. While it's generally not recommended to install a separate pad, a compact underlayment might be used in some situations, though this typically requires professional installation. An acoustic underlay may also be considered in commercial spaces or multi-level homes where noise reduction is a priority.