You've invested in a beautiful stretch floor or a high-quality PVC floor. It looks sleek, is comfortable to walk on, and perfectly completes your interior. Naturally, you want that floor to stay looking new for as long as possible.

During your weekly grocery shopping, you quickly grab a bottle of all-purpose cleaner from the shelf. It smells nice of lemon, costs only a few euros, and it cleans, right?

Look after.

What many people don't know is that that cheap bottle from the supermarket is your floor's worst enemy. In this article, we explain why "normal cleaning" can lead to irreparable damage, and we delve into pH levels, plasticizers, and why Miral is your floor's life insurance.

The invisible enemy: pH levels and chemicals

To understand why standard cleaning products cause damage, we need to briefly consider the chemistry. It's all about pH .

The pH scale runs from 0 to 14:

• 0 to 6 is acidic (think of descaling agents or vinegar).

• 7 is neutral (water).

• 8 to 14 is alkaline/basic (think ammonia, bleach and strong degreasers).

Most supermarket all-purpose cleaners are often highly alkaline or contain harsh acids to achieve quick results. They're designed to "eat away" grease and grime as quickly as possible. This usually doesn't cause any harm on tiles or glass. But on synthetic flooring, such as a stretch floor or PVC, it's disastrous.

Why Aggression Doesn't Work

A stretch floor is a delicate, high-quality synthetic product. If you apply an aggressive product with a pH value that's too high or too low to it every week, you'll slowly but surely begin to erode the top layer. You won't see this after mopping once, or perhaps even after ten. But the chemical process is in full swing.

The drama of the "Weekmakers"

This is where the technical side turns into a financial nightmare. Synthetic floors (such as PVC and stretch floors) remain flexible, resilient, and crack-free thanks to additives called plasticizers .

Without plasticizers, plastic would be hard, brittle, and breakable (think of hard plastic that breaks when you bend it).

What does all-purpose cleaner do to plasticizers?

Harsh chemicals in standard cleaning products tend to "pull" these plasticizers out of the floor, or chemically break them down. This process is called migration or leaching .

The long-term result?

1. The floor becomes brittle: The flexibility disappears.

2. Crack formation: Because there is tension on a tensioned floor, hairline cracks can develop during drying out.

3. Dullness and discoloration: The protective top layer is "etched," which removes the shine and allows dirt to adhere more quickly.

Once your floor has become brittle, it's irreversible . There's no magic bullet that can reintroduce plasticizers into the floor. The only solution is to replace the entire floor. That €2.00 bottle of all-purpose cleaner will ultimately cost you thousands.

Remember: A clean floor isn't the same as a well-maintained floor. Harsh cleaners clean, but they destroy the structure.

The solution: Miral – Safely developed for tensioned floors

Fortunately, there's a way to get your floor hygienically clean without damaging its chemical structure. This is where Miral comes in.

Miral is not just any cleaning product; it was specifically developed for the unique properties of tension-laced floors .

Why Miral is different

Unlike the "power cleaners" from the supermarket, Miral works on the basis of a safe composition that respects the plasticizers and the top layer of your floor.

• pH Balanced: Miral cleans powerfully, but is chemically balanced so that it does not harm plastic materials.

• Retains Elasticity: Because the plasticizers are not affected, your tensioned floor remains flexible and resilient. This prevents cracks and tears.

• Streak-free results: Many all-purpose cleaners leave behind a greasy residue, making your floor quickly dirty and dull. Miral is designed to dry streak-free, which is essential for the sleek look of a stretch floor.

How do you use Miral for the best results?

To keep your floor in top condition, the right method is just as important as the right product. Follow these steps for a perfect clean:

1. Dusting: Always start by vacuuming (use a soft brush attachment) or swiffing to remove loose sand and dust. Sand acts like sandpaper when mopping.

2. Correct dosage: Use Miral as directed on the packaging. "More" is not "better"; overdosing can cause stickiness.

3. Not too wet: A tensioned floor doesn't need to be submerged. Mop with a damp cloth or mop.

4. Use cold or lukewarm water: Boiling hot water, like chemicals, can damage the structure of some floors and cause water to evaporate too quickly, leaving streaks.

Conclusion: Choose the long term

You chose a stretch floor for its quality and appearance. Don't risk the lifespan of that investment by skimping on maintenance products.

All-purpose cleaners are fine for the toilet or countertop, but they don't belong on your floor. By choosing Miral , you're choosing safety. You prevent your floor from becoming brittle, you maintain its beautiful appearance, and you save yourself the cost of a new floor in the long run.

Does your floor need a safe cleaning?

View Miral in our shop here and order directly.