Now that you’ve chosen laminate flooring to play a part in your beautiful home, it’s best to ensure that you are “up to speed” on the best practices to keeping it clean. Believe it or not, flooring is an essential part of your home and will be used more than almost any other design element in your home.
We’re here to “dish the dirt” on how to keep your floors up to code with all the cleaning tips and tricks you’ll need. From picking out the right cleanser to telling you what to avoid, we have you covered!
So, let’s grab our cleaning supplies and get to work, shall we?
What Is Laminate Flooring?
First, let’s explain what laminate flooring really entails. Laminate flooring is actually best defined as a hard-flooring surface that is able to replicate the look of real hardwood floors. Laminate flooring is engineered with a wood fiber core and then finished off with other materials that help increase its durability and protect against the wear and tear, so your new laminate flooring is sure to endure for years to come!
How To Clean Laminate Flooring
Alright, let’s get down to the nitty-gritty! Now that we know the materials that laminate flooring is composed of, let’s officially look into how to clean them properly. Every flooring material is unique, so clearly, each will have to be cleaned differently. Follow along to see how to best clean your laminate flooring and keep it looking good as new!
Read The Instructions That Came With Your Laminate Flooring
Even different aspects of laminate flooring all need to be cleaned a bit differently. Because of this, it's important to read all of the instructions and see how to best go about the cleaning process. While some floors require a certain cleaning mix, others will advise you to steer clear from certain ones.
There are many companies who will provide detailed cleaning guides, so you are the most prepared when you become the proud new owner of your laminate floors. If not, you may have to do a little research on your own.
Mop Your Floors Once Every Two Months Carefully
Keep your laminate floors fresh and clean by mopping them at least every two months. Any other time, go ahead and sweep or vacuum them to get rid of any dust or debris.
To achieve this, use a gentle mop that is recommended for use on laminate floors. If you do choose to use a regular mop, make sure to wring out any excess water that comes from it. Otherwise, the water may have an opportunity to damage your floors.
Try Out A DIY Cleaner For Laminate Floors
Why not make your own laminate cleaner? All you have to do is mix together a teaspoon of clear and unscented dish soap with a gallon of hot water. This will do the trick to getting your floors shiny and clean in a sanitary way.
But wait! We have another option for you! If your floors have started to receive a wax-looking buildup or a slight film, mix together the same amount of hot water and then replace the soap with vinegar. The vinegar naturally cleanses the area and can break down any sort of film that’s appearing on your floors, restoring their shiny brilliance and still cleaning them as well.
Again, make sure your mop is only damp instead of soaked. Otherwise, the more serious water-related issue can develop.
Add Common Household Cleaning Items
We all know pesky stains happen, but sometimes, they want to hang around! And you’re thinking, “no way!” Dealing with more difficult stains such as ink or red wine? Never fear! Simply try out this amazing cleaning method you’re sure to love!
Having a gum problem? Simply use a bag of ice to harden sticky stains such as chewing gum. This will allow you to scrape it right off. To combat other stains like ink or paint, use rubbing alcohol to help break it down. And voila! All stains are immediately eliminated. We told you we had your back!
Protect Your Flooring From Surface Damage
To avoid any future damage to your home floors such as scratches, use furniture pads underneath the bottoms of chairs and tables. This is especially needed if anything gets moved around more frequently. Rugs will help to also prevent any scratches or marks made from furniture items such as a couch or a coffee table.
Utilize Welcome Mats
By using welcome mats in all entrances of the home, you are eliminating the possibility of more dirt or stones (which can lead to scratches) entering the home. Debris from outside has a habit of damaging your floors’ surface once inside.
You can even request that guests remove their shoes upon entering your home. This is actually quite common. Why, you ask? Rocks and other dirt can get stuck in the soles of shoes and then scratch your floors. When mats and a “no shoe policy” collide, your floors will instantly be much cleaner and scratch-free!
If You Have Pets, Be Sure To Trim Their Nails
While this particular tip isn’t a cleaning one like you had anticipated, it’s very important to trim your pet’s nails. Your dog or cat can have sharp nails, which are known to being a huge factor in harming the surface of your floors and making it easier for dust and debris to collect in these scratches.
By trimming your furry friend’s nails ahead of time, you’re taking the preventative measures you need to keep your floors looking gorgeous, scratch-free, and as good as new.
Things To Avoid
Since you now know what to do to ensure clean and healthy laminate floors, it’s time to take a look at what procedures you should try and avoid during the cleaning process. Take a quick peek below to make sure not to take part in the following “not-so-good” habits, for your floors’ sake, of course!
Avoid Abrasive Tools
There’s always the possibility of your floor being scratched. But you can eliminate or at least reduce these chances by steering clear of any abrasive cleaning materials.
Select a broom with soft bristles or a dust mop that can efficiently pick up debris. If you happen to enjoy vacuuming your laminate floors, then make sure any attachments that are used don’t have a beater bar or a rotating brush. Both have the capability to scratch the surface and leave your floor looking worn.
Be Sure Not To Use Excess Water
If you traditionally mop your laminate flooring, then water has the opportunity to seep into the material and can cause some serious damage, including water stains. In fact, your laminate flooring can actually swell or bubble in appearance. The pools of water can also cause fading and staining. No, thank you, right? This will ultimately ruin the overall aesthetics of your floors, so just say no to excess water!
Be Quick: Don’t Let Stains Sit On The Floor
Spills happen. We get it! But when they do, it’s best to tackle them immediately, so they won’t be harder to remove down the line. Wipe up the stain quickly and efficiently because excess liquids can most certainly damage laminate floors within hours, or even minutes (depending on what was spilled).
The Amazing Benefits Of Laminate Flooring
As you probably know, there are a ton of benefits to installing laminate floors in your home or office space. Some of these amazing benefits include:
· They’re extremely durable.
· They’re stain, fade, and moisture resistant.
· There’s a variety of styles available.
· They’re very economical.
· They’re easy to clean and maintain.
What’s your favorite benefit? All of the above? Us too! With all of these key features, laminate flooring serves as a great option for the majority of homeowners looking to beautify their living spaces.
Our Final Thoughts
What are your thoughts on these helpful cleaning and maintenance tips? We find that cleaning laminate floors periodically will sustain and extend the life of your floors, all while restoring the shine they deserve. Like any type of flooring, laminate floors come with their own set of rules. So, be sure to follow the recommended guidelines for the best results and take precautions where needed.
We know that interior decorating is an exciting and fun time for your family, and laminate floors are a great addition to your overall home aesthetics. So, clean them regularly and handle them with care!
Sources:
https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/how-to-clean-laminate-floors
https://www.onefurallpets.com/blogs/news/why-its-important-to-trim-your-dogs-nails
https://www.tasteofhome.com/article/how-to-get-gum-off-of-anything/
