Eggasperated Posted September 2, 2013 Share Posted September 2, 2013 Get a textured stone conservatory floor. Whilst OH is away on a work jaunt though Mexico and Colombia I decided to thoroughly clean the conservatory floor, it has taken me five days, two hours a day (all I could physically manage), countless gallons of water, a ruined pair of rubber gloves and a lot of chocolate, to move furniture, steam, scrub and wipe the floor to return it back to its former glory when it was installed six years ago. As a main thoroughfare for animals, muddy boots, tools and tradesmen the occasional wash over had not removed much of the dirt, now it looks beautiful but for how long? . No textured floors ever, ever again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seagazer Posted September 2, 2013 Share Posted September 2, 2013 Well done, sounds exhausting. I think things like this are good to note - a bit like when we had a shiny white kitchen put in. Terrible idea with children and pets! I'm not the best at cleaning either so I should have known better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soapdragon Posted September 2, 2013 Share Posted September 2, 2013 Get a textured stone conservatory floor. Whilst OH is away on a work jaunt though Mexico and Colombia I decided to thoroughly clean the conservatory floor, it has taken me five days, two hours a day (all I could physically manage), countless gallons of water, a ruined pair of rubber gloves and a lot of chocolate, to move furniture, steam, scrub and wipe the floor to return it back to its former glory when it was installed six years ago. As a main thoroughfare for animals, muddy boots, tools and tradesmen the occasional wash over had not removed much of the dirt, now it looks beautiful but for how long? . No textured floors ever, ever again. Sound like bloomin' hard work! Have you thought/could you use one of those 'dirt trapper' mats (Turtle mats? ) to cover the worst of the high traffic areas? They do seem quite expensive but, given your tribulations so far, may well be worth it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted September 2, 2013 Share Posted September 2, 2013 Turtle mats are very brilliant - mine get churned through the machine on a regular basis and always wash up like new. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted September 2, 2013 Share Posted September 2, 2013 I know how you feel, I have a textured pale cream work surface in my kitchen, whoever thought that was a good idea I haven't a clue. we bought it with some second hand units when we needed extra cupboard space and installed it just along be end of the kitchen. I scrubbed it when we got it and have been doing so regularly ever since. I don't tend to prep food at that end for obvious reasons. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eggasperated Posted September 2, 2013 Author Share Posted September 2, 2013 Turtle mats are very brilliant - mine get churned through the machine on a regular basis and always wash up like new. I have got two large Turtle mats in the conservatory, plus another large mat and a rubber boot mat, so it could be even worse without those . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted September 2, 2013 Share Posted September 2, 2013 I'm a turtle mat fan too - I have their Mud Hogs outside and the soft mats indoors; I like that they grab the wet off dogs' feet. Have you tried a matte sealant on the floor? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eggasperated Posted September 2, 2013 Author Share Posted September 2, 2013 Have you tried a matte sealant on the floor? According to the tiler these tiles don't need a sealant and I'm inclined to agree with him as the dirt was in the texturing not soaked in to the floor, which is just as well as OH had left his chainsaw leaking oil in the conservatory . The oil came off the floor relatively easily (and the fluff all stuck in it) and the chainsaw has now been returned to the garage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted September 2, 2013 Share Posted September 2, 2013 I swear by Turtle mats. Would a steam cleaner be easier to use - it might be worth investing in one if its that big a chore? I will never again have solid wood work tops. (I didn't choose them, they were in the kitchen when I bought the house). Oiling them is a pain and they stain really easily. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eggasperated Posted September 2, 2013 Author Share Posted September 2, 2013 I was using a steam cleaner to loosen the dirt, then a scrubbing brush in all the textured bits. I must have recovered now as I have just got out my Kardean stuff to strip and refinish the hall floor . OH won't recognise the place when he comes back, mind you I have been known to redecorate rooms while he's been away and I'm really tempted to make a start on the bedroom. I will never again have solid wood work tops. (I didn't choose them, they were in the kitchen when I bought the house). Oiling them is a pain and they stain really easily. I love the look of wood work tops, but I have wondered about all that oiling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted September 2, 2013 Share Posted September 2, 2013 I only oil mine about once or twice a year; not that keen on them myself and I don't really care if they are pristine or not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted September 2, 2013 Share Posted September 2, 2013 If I'm honest, it's not so much the oiling as cleaning all the old toot off them to get them ready to oil! they have got water marked in places though and stained with red wine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted September 2, 2013 Share Posted September 2, 2013 Whats a Mud hog? Googled it but tyres came up Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eggasperated Posted September 2, 2013 Author Share Posted September 2, 2013 It's a type of Turtle Mat linky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted September 2, 2013 Share Posted September 2, 2013 If I'm honest, it's not so much the oiling as cleaning all the old toot off them to get them ready to oil!................. Exactly; I don't have the biggest kitchen and it means shifting everything around to clear the surface, wipe it down and then oil it; by the time the oil has sunk in etc it takes all day to do the whole kitchen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
