When it comes to caring for your floors, there are many different methods and tools for getting the job done. The biggest consideration is going to be what type of floor you have and which methods work the best for it.
Hardwood flooring is going to need different care than laminate flooring, for example. And even when it comes to hardwood, the proper care will depend on how it's finished.
Surface-sealed hardwood will need different tools and cleaning supplies than oil-treated or untreated will. While waxing oil-treated or untreated hardwood is the best way to keep it protected from wear and tear, waxing surface-sealed hardwood will actually make it harder to maintain.
Carpets are another type of floor covering that have different needs, depending on the material. Some types of carpeting need dry cleaning while others are resistant to wet cleaning.
You can buy or rent a home steam cleaner, or you can hire a professional cleaning company to come in and clean your carpets for you. Both have advantages and disadvantages, both in the effectiveness of the method and in the cost.
Cleaning is not the only type of care that your floors will need. Some types of material require polishing or buffing to keep them looking nice while others, like hardwood, could even require refinishing at some point.
Refinishing hardwood floors means sanding them and then applying a new finish, whether polyurethane, polyacrylic or some other type of surface sealer. This can be a lot of hard work, so taking care of the floor on a regular basis is important since it can prolong its life.
There are various tools for the job as well. A simple broom and dustpan is all you need to keep some floors clean, while a vacuum cleaner will do the job with most. Steam mops and other more specialized equipment may be necessary in some cases, but you can often rent these if you don't need them on a regular basis.
Taking care of your floor may require some work (or some money if you pay someone else to do it for you) but it will lengthen the life of your floor and save you money in the long run, since you won't have to replace it or refinish it as soon.