Keeping clean what’s under foot can be a daunting task – especially if pets and little ones are a part of one’s brood. Good looks aside, regular cleaning and maintenance will keep a floor looking good and can prevent expensive damage repairs – or worse, the expense of replacement.

Simple things such as frequent vacuuming, floor mats at all exterior doors and shoe removal can do wonders to cut down on unnecessary housework and costly repairs. Beyond that, most floor cleaning and maintenance “challenges” can be dealt with using one or more of the following tips.

Scuff cleanup

Scuff marks on a vinyl floor are unsightly and can be a real pain to clean. Get an art-gum eraser (one of those grayish-tan ones you used in high school) or borrow a pink pearl eraser from your child. Simply rub the mark and it will disappear. For tough scuffs that may need a bit more cleaning horsepower, pour a sparing amount of mineral spirits (paint thinner) on a clean, white, soft cloth and rub the spot clean. Test an inconspicuous area first to be sure it doesn’t damage the finish.

Break the bubbles

Here’s an idea for eliminating bubbles in your vinyl floor: If they’re small, take a large sewing needle and poke a tiny hole in the center of the bubble all the way through the vinyl. Lay a thick towel over the area and use a hot iron to soften and flatten the flooring. Then stack several large books onto the repair to keep the former bump in close contact with the adhesive while it cools and rebonds to the substrate. Larger bubbles (6 to 8 inches or more) require more sophisticated solutions, and are best left to a flooring pro.

Carpet cleaning

Something as simple as vacuuming can do wonders to extend carpet wear. A popular falsehood is that frequent vacuuming will weaken carpet fiber and thus shorten the life of the carpet. Just the opposite is true. Carpet should be vacuumed at least once weekly and more frequently if possible. Ground-in soil abrades carpet fibers that results in premature wear and greater stain susceptibility.

Does your carpet smell like dirty gym socks? You can try a commercial carpet deodorizer or you can go to the pantry and arm yourself with a box of baking soda. Sprinkle it into the carpet, leave it for several hours and then vacuum it up. For less money and a little extra work, try sprinkling grated potato (yes, potato) throughout the area.

Floor fixes

If you have a damaged section of carpet or vinyl flooring, here is a suggestion: Make a patch by removing the damaged section and replace it with a remnant. If you don’t have a scrap laying around to make the repair, then grab a piece from a closet, from under an appliance or from beneath a piece of furniture. It may not match perfectly, but our experience is that most of your guests will never know “the real truth” about your floor.

Happy hardwoods

Got dirty hardwood floors? Most cleaners you can buy at the store work fine. But if you want to save money, or just prefer to do things the old-fashioned way, mix up a 5 percent solution of vinegar and water. Measure carefully, and don’t use any extra vinegar – the acid can dull the finish. Keep in mind that water and wood don’t mix, so when you mop, use as little water as possible. Your mop should be damp, not wet.

Tile tips

Want to keep ceramic tile from looking lousy? Don’t use abrasive cleansers. They literally “sand” off the finish. A mild soap and water solution is usually all that’s needed to keep most floor tile looking good. Be certain to rinse the area thoroughly and dry and polish with a clean cloth.

For more home improvement tips and information, visit James and Morris Carey at www.onthehouse.com or call the live radio program at 800-737-2474 between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. every Saturday.