Resource library

Every outside page this manual relies on, grouped by subject, with who publishes it and what it gives you. Checked on 2026-10-31; next check due 2027-10-31.

Every link below was fetched live on 2026-10-31, and every one is free to read. We will check them all again by 2027-10-31. Pages are grouped by the chapter or page that first links them. Makers' care sheets and warranties change without notice: the sheet for your own product, from your own maker, is the final word. No link carries a referral or tracking code, and nothing here is a recommendation to buy. Two trade certification pages (the IICRC's carpet and upholstery cleaning technician courses) are listed only because their published topic lists show what professional cleaners are trained in; we do not recommend them. We compared paid courses on interior materials and on cleaning before writing; the others are not linked.

Some government pages refuse automated link checks but load in a browser; each was opened in a browser on 2026-10-31.

Pages from other Learn Things manuals linked in this one: Learn Color Design, Choose paint colors and finishes (paint color and sheen); Learn General Contracting, Make selections and coordinate procurement (selections on a managed project); Learn First Home Basics, Cleaning products and how to use them safely (cleaning product safety in general) and Before you move in: the lease, the walk-through and the condition record (the move-in condition record); Learn Space Planning, Furniture safety (rugs and paths).

How to compare finishes

• ANSI A326.3-2021, American National Standard Test Method for Measuring Dynamic Coefficient of Friction of Hard Surface Flooring Materials (release date February 2022) (TCNA, secretariat, free copy:).
• ASTM D4157-13(2022), Standard Test Method for Abrasion Resistance of Textile Fabrics (Oscillatory Cylinder Method) (ASTM International).
• ASTM E917-17, Standard Practice for Measuring Life-Cycle Costs of Buildings and Building Systems (ASTM International).
• BEES (Building for Environmental and Economic Sustainability) (NIST Engineering Laboratory).
• Cambria Quartz Product Care (Cambria).
• Care and Cleaning of Natural Stone (Natural Stone Institute).
• Cleaning and Maintenance (Carpet for Homes) (Carpet and Rug Institute).
• Durability (Janka) (woodfloors.org).
• How do I care for my wood floors? (consumer care sheet, from "2016-18 Wood Floor Styles and Trends") (National Wood Flooring Association).
• How to Care For Your Granite Countertops (Stephanie Vozza, Feb 26, 2018) (Use Natural Stone, the Natural Stone Institute's consumer campaign).
• Installation Instructions: 3/4" Solid Hardwood Plank and Strip Products for Mechanically Fastened (Staple, Nail or Cleat) Applications (AHF Products, Bruce brand).
• Installation Tips (Carpet for Homes) (CRI).
• InterNACHI's Standard Estimated Life Expectancy Chart for Homes (International Association of Certified Home Inspectors).
• NIST Handbook 135e2025, Life Cycle Costing Manual for the Federal Energy Management Program (Joshua Kneifel and David Webb, NIST Applied Economics Office).
• Protect Your Family from Exposures to Asbestos (US EPA).
• SEA-SIPP Technical Report, Appendix C: Life Expectancy of Building Materials References (Port of Seattle).
• SmartCore Comprehensive Residential Warranty Program (Shaw Industries, Inc., SmartCore luxury vinyl, copy hosted by Lowe's).
• Study of Life Expectancy of Home Components (National Association of Home Builders / Bank of America Home Equity, February 2007).
• The Carpet Primer (The Carpet and Rug Institute).
• Wilsonart Quartz Care & Maintenance (Rev. 02/2025) (Wilsonart).

Samples, ratings, labels and warranties

• 40 CFR 770.10 (emission standards) and 770.45 (labeling) (eCFR, Office of the Federal Register, for EPA).
• A Scientific Guide to Shopping for Natural Stone (Karin Kirk for Use Natural Stone, a Natural Stone Institute site).
• Abrasion Disclaimer (Association for Contract Textiles).
• Abrasion Resistance: The Full Story (white paper, March 2010) (Association for Contract Textiles).
• ACT Voluntary Performance Guidelines, Woven Fabrics, Indoor Use (February 2025) (Association for Contract Textiles).
• ANSI A326.3-2021, American National Standard Test Method for Measuring Dynamic Coefficient of Friction of Hard Surface Flooring Materials (release date February 2022) (TCNA, secretariat, free copy: https://tcnatile.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/ANSI_A326.3_2021_February_2022_Locked.pdf ; landing page).
• ANSI/NALFA LF 01-2026, Laminate Flooring Specifications and Test Methods (North American Laminate Flooring Association).
• ANSI/NALFA LF 01-2026, Laminate Flooring Specifications and Test Methods (North American Laminate Flooring Association).
• ANSI/NALFA LF-01-2018, Laminate Flooring Specifications and Test Methods (prior edition) (North American Laminate Flooring Association).
• ASTM C1027-09(2017) Standard Test Method for Determining Visible Abrasion Resistance of Glazed Ceramic Tile (ASTM International).
• ASTM D4966-22(2026), Standard Test Method for Abrasion Resistance of Textile Fabrics (Martindale Abrasion Tester Method) (ASTM International).
• Caring for Quartzite Countertops (Stephanie Vozza, Apr 4, 2019) (Use Natural Stone / Natural Stone Institute).
• Certificate of Compliance 254173-420, GREENGUARD Gold (example certificate, window shade fabric). UL Verification Services, hosted by Draper Inc.
• Flooring Forensics: What is waterproof really worth? Lew Migliore, Floor Focus (practitioner, flooring inspector).
• FloorScore® (RFCI).
• Formaldehyde Emission Standards for Composite Wood Products (US EPA).
• Green Label Plus (CRI).
• KCMA certifications: Proof. Peace of mind. (one-sheet) (Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association).
• Laminate Flooring FAQs (NALFA).
• Learn About the Safer Choice Label (US EPA).
• Luxury Vinyl Care (Shaw Floors).
• Natural Creations product specification (3.2 mm LVT) (Armstrong Flooring / AHF Products).
• Porcelain Tile Certification (TCNA with Ceramic Tile Distributors Association).
• Porcelain vs. Non-Porcelain (FAQ) (Tile Council of North America).
• Resilient Care and Maintenance (Mannington Mills).
• Selecting the Right Carpet (CRI).
• Silestone Use & Care (all Silestone colors, with or without HybriQ technology) (Cosentino).
• Stain Repellent Finishes: What You Need to Know (Association for Contract Textiles).
• Standard Method for the Testing and Evaluation of Volatile Organic Chemical Emissions from Indoor Sources Using Environmental Chambers, Version 1.2 (CDPH/EHLB/Standard Method V1.2) (California Department of Public Health, Indoor Air Quality Section).
• Technical Bulletin 117-2013, Requirements, Test Procedure and Apparatus for Testing the Smolder Resistance of Materials Used in Upholstered Furniture (June 2013) (California Bureau of Household Goods and Services).
• Transferable Full Lifetime Warranty (United States and Canada) (Cambria Company LLC, quartz surfaces).
• UL GREENGUARD Certification (UL Solutions).
• Volatile Organic Compounds' Impact on Indoor Air Quality (US EPA).
• Warranties (Federal Trade Commission, Consumer Advice).
• Waterproof Flooring … And the Rest of the Story (Jessica Violand-Bruno, Cleanfax).
• White Paper: Making Sense of Wear Resistance and AC Ratings (summary on FloorBiz, LGM & Associates for NALFA, dated 11/18/2022) (FloorBiz / NALFA).
• Wood Handbook: Wood as an Engineering Material, FPL-GTR-282, Chapter 5, Table 5-3b (USDA Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory).

Wood floors

• Acclimation/Conditioning (chapter of NWFA Technical Publication, installation guidelines) (NWFA).
• Bona Floor Cleaner FAQs (Bona).
• Designing and Installing Radiant Floors with the 2019 NWFA Guidelines (Hardwood Floors magazine (NWFA's magazine)).
• Hardwood Care (Shaw Floors).
• How Many Times Can a Wood Floor Be Sanded? (Brett Miller, Hardwood Floors magazine, NWFA).
• How to Clean Hardwood Floors (Bona).
• How to Clean Hardwood Floors Without Streaks (Bona).
• Maintenance (woodfloors.org).
• Problem Prevention (NWFA consumer site woodfloors.org).
• Q&A: Recoating Wood Floors (Michael Purser, Journal of Light Construction).
• Refinishing Your Floors (woodfloors.org).
• Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Program: Consumers (US EPA).
• Types of Real Wood Flooring (woodfloors.org).
• Wood Floor Facts: Relative Humidity (NWFA).
• Wood Floor Finishes (woodfloors.org).

Vinyl, laminate, linoleum and cork

• Caring for Forbo Marmoleum with Topshield pro (v4.21, 05/26) (Forbo Flooring).
• Caring for Marmoleum at Home (v1, 10/2023) (Forbo Flooring North America).
• Castor resource (May 13, 2024) (RFCI).
• CDC/ATSDR Revises Report of Possible Health Effects Associated with Formaldehyde in Select Laminate Flooring (media advisory, March 22, 2016) (CDC / ATSDR, archived).
• Cork flooring: how to clean and maintain it (Wicanders / Amorim Cork Flooring).
• Flooring FAQs and Installation & Maintenance (COREtec).
• Flooring FAQs and Installation & Maintenance (COREtec, a Shaw Industries brand).
• Flooring Types (Resilient Floor Covering Institute).
• Hazard Alert: Mixing Bleach with Other Cleaning Products Can Be Deadly (New Jersey Department of Health, Environmental and Occupational Health Surveillance Program).
• Laminate Care (Shaw Floors).
• Laminate Care and Maintenance (Mannington Mills).
• Mohawk Luxury Vinyl Flooring Care and Maintenance (07/2020, hosted by Lowe's) (Mohawk Industries).
• Recommended Work Practices for Removal of Resilient Floor Coverings (January 2018) (RFCI).
• What is Laminate? (NALFA).

Carpet and rugs

• 16 CFR Part 1630, Surface Flammability of Carpets and Rugs (FF 1-70) (eCFR).
• 16 CFR Part 1631, Small Carpets and Rugs (FF 2-70) (eCFR).
• Carpet Care (Shaw Floors).
• Carpet Cleaning Technician (CCT) certification (IICRC).
• Carpets and Rugs (business guidance FAQ) (US Consumer Product Safety Commission).
• Check for Safety: A Home Fall Prevention Checklist for Older Adults (CDC, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, STEADI).
• Frequently Asked Questions (CRI).
• Older Adult Falls Data (facts and stats) (CDC).
• Rug Cleaning and Care (Kaleen Rugs).
• Safety for Older Consumers: Home Safety Checklist, Publication 701 (US Consumer Product Safety Commission).
• Seal of Approval Program (CRI).

Tile and grout

• Aqua Mix Sealer's Choice Gold PFAS-Free (CUSTOM Building Products).
• Ceramic Tile (FAQ) (TCNA).
• Cleaning Grout (FAQ) (TCNA).
• Cracked/Loose Grout (FAQ) (TCNA).
• DCOF (Daltile).
• Epoxy Mortar (FAQ) (TCNA).
• Flexible caulk versus a non-flexible grout (Ask the Experts) (TileLetter).
• Fusion Pro Single Component Grout (CUSTOM Building Products).
• Grout (FAQ) (TCNA).
• How to Care for Your Marble Countertops (Stephanie Vozza, Feb 6, 2019) (Use Natural Stone / Natural Stone Institute).
• How to Test if Your Stone is Already Sealed (LATICRETE (STONETECH product line)).
• Lippage (FAQ) (TCNA).
• Materials (FAQ) (TCNA).
• READY-TO-USE Pre-Mixed Grout data sheet DS-27-1026 (LATICRETE).
• Selection and Use of Home Cleaning Products, Guide G-304 (New Mexico State University Cooperative Extension, revised by Sonja Koukel).
• Showers (FAQ) (TCNA).
• TruColor with EzClean and RapidCure Technology, Premium Pre-Mixed Urethane Grout, technical data sheet 08/08/2025 (Bostik, via BuildSite:).
• White Residue (FAQ) (TCNA).

Countertops

• Care and Maintenance (Caesarstone US).
• Caring for Soapstone Countertops (UNS Resource, Jul 19, 2019) (Use Natural Stone / Natural Stone Institute).
• Cleaning and maintenance (Laminam).
• Cleaning Architectural Stainless Steel (Building Series Vol. 15, second edition 2011) (Euro Inox).
• Corian Solid Surface Care and Maintenance, Technical Bulletin K-26840-NA 05/18 (Corian Design).
• Finishes for Wood Bowls, Butcher Blocks, Other Items Used for Food, and Children's Toys (Mark Knaebe, FinishLine, revised July 2013) (USDA Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory).
• General Industry Silica Standard: What Employers Need to Know (executive summary fact sheet, February 2026, revised August 2026) (Cal/OSHA).
• Granite Countertops and Radiation (US EPA).
• Hazard Analysis: Lessons Learned and Initial Findings from OSHA's Emphasis Program on Silica in Engineered Stone (OSHA).
• Homeowners urged to know where they stand as engineered stone ban kicks in (Government of Western Australia, Consumer Protection).
• Know Your Concrete Countertop Sealer Types (published 2010-05-01) (Concrete Decor magazine).
• OSHA/NIOSH Hazard Alert: Worker Exposure to Silica during Countertop Manufacturing, Finishing, and Installation (NIOSH and OSHA).
• Poultices (Natural Stone Institute).
• Product Care FAQs (Cambria).
• Proper Care and Cleaning of the Formica Portfolio of Surfacing Solutions (Formica Group).
• Respirable Crystalline Silica Standards and Resources (Cal/OSHA, California Department of Industrial Relations).
• Severe Silicosis in Engineered Stone Fabrication Workers, California, Colorado, Texas, and Washington, 2017-2019. MMWR 68(38):813-818, Sept 27, 2019 (CDC).
• What about radon and radioactivity in granite countertops? (US EPA).
• Wilsonart Laminate Basic Technical Data (PDF created Aug 27, 2026) (Wilsonart).
• Wilsonart Solid Surface Care & Maintenance (Rev. Jan. 15, 2026) (Wilsonart).

Cabinets and hardware

• 2D and 3D Laminates (Composite Panel Association).
• 40 CFR 770.10 Formaldehyde emission standards (and 770.3 definitions) (eCFR).
• Cabinetry Care Guide (07_14) (Medallion Cabinetry, Elkay).
• Catalyzed Finishes (Flexner on Finishing, December 2014, issue 215; posted 2022) (Bob Flexner, Popular Woodworking).
• Faucet Finish Care and Cleaning (Moen).
• Finish Care (California Faucets).
• Heat Shield (KraftMaid).
• High Pressure Laminates (Composite Panel Association).
• KCMA certification (Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association).
• Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Program Rules (US EPA).
• Lead-Safe Renovations for DIYers (US EPA).
• Protect Against Exposures to Formaldehyde (US EPA).
• Setting Expectations: Wood (2026) (Canyon Creek Cabinet Company).
• Severe Use Certification (KCMA).
• Thermally Fused Laminates (Composite Panel Association).
• Tuscan Brass: The Beauty of a True Living Finish (House of Rohl).
• Why choose certified cabinetry (KCMA).
• Wolf Classic Care and Maintenance Guide (York, 0125) (Wolf Home Products).
• Wood Handbook, FPL-GTR-282, Chapter 5 (record page) (USDA Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory).

Upholstery fabric

• 16 CFR Part 1640, Standard for the Flammability of Upholstered Furniture (Consumer Product Safety Commission via eCFR).
• 16 CFR Part 423, Care Labeling of Textile Wearing Apparel and Certain Piece Goods (Federal Trade Commission via eCFR).
• B&P Code 19094 (SB 1019), Upholstered Furniture; Flame Retardant Chemicals, FAQs (November 2014, updated June 2019) (California Bureau of Household Goods and Services).
• Best Upholstery Fabric for Cats (Revolution Performance Fabrics).
• California Health and Safety Code section 108970 (AB 1817, Stats. 2022, ch. 762), definitions (California Legislature).
• California Health and Safety Code section 108971 (AB 1817), prohibition (California Legislature).
• Care for Fabric Home Furnishings, Guide G-402 (New Mexico State University Cooperative Extension Service).
• Cleaning Codes (Ashley Furniture Industries).
• Cleaning Guide (stain chart) (Sunbrella / Glen Raven).
• Explaining Fabric Cleaning Codes (American Leather).
• Fabric Rub Tests (American Leather).
• How To Clean Upholstery Fabric (Crypton).
• Our Current Understanding of the Human Health and Environmental Risks of PFAS (US EPA).
• Selecting Fabrics for Home Furnishings, Guide G-401 (New Mexico State University Cooperative Extension Service).
• Sunbrella Upholstery Care and Cleaning (Rev. 04-2015) (Glen Raven).
• Understanding Upholstery Fabric Cleaning Codes (Sailrite).
• Upholstered Furniture (FAQ) (CPSC).
• What Is a Fabric Wear Rating? (Wyzenbeek, Martindale, Taber) (Sailrite).
• What is Performance Fabric? (Revolution Performance Fabrics).

Leather, faux leather and slipcovers

• 16 CFR Part 24, Guides for Select Leather and Imitation Leather Products (Federal Trade Commission via eCFR).
• Accurate Definitions of Leather Grain (Garrett Leather).
• Can I remove the covers and machine wash them? (Floyd).
• Hydrolysis: What You Need to Know (Association for Contract Textiles).
• Leather types, characteristics and maintenance (FIRA, Furniture Industry Research Association).
• Leather, Maintenance and Care (Carl Hansen & Son).
• Washable Slipcovers care sheet (03-10-2025) (Craftmaster Furniture).

Cleaning by surface

• 6 Steps for Safe and Effective Disinfectant Use (infographic PDF) (US EPA).
• Green Cleaning (handout) (Pennsylvania IPM Program at Penn State and the Philadelphia School and Community IPM Partnership (extension service), hosted by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Entomology).
• Introduction to Pesticide Labels (US EPA).
• Selected EPA-Registered Disinfectants (US EPA).
• Using Microfiber Mops in Hospitals (Environmental Best Practices for Health Care Facilities) (US EPA Region 9, archived).
• What's the difference between products that disinfect, sanitize, and clean surfaces? (US EPA).

Stains, damage and older homes

• Learn About Asbestos (US EPA).
• Upholstery and Fabric Cleaning Technician (UFT) certification (IICRC).
• What is "Normal Wear and Tear"? (Idaho Legal Aid Services, reproducing a table by the Idaho Office of the Attorney General).

Materials at a glance

• Finishes for Wood Bowls, Butcher Blocks, Other Items Used for Food, and Children's Toys (USDA Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory).
• OSHA/NIOSH Hazard Alert: Worker Exposure to Silica during Countertop Manufacturing, Finishing, and Installation. NIOSH and OSHA (agencies) (Landing page https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/publications/numbered/2026-101.html).

Labels and ratings decoder

• Green Label Plus Emissions Criteria (Issue 5) (The Carpet and Rug Institute).