Laminate flooring is a synthetic product that mimics the look of wood or other flooring materials. Multiple layers are fused together using a lamination process. They are considered an economically yet desirable choice for flooring right now. You can find them throughout the home in living areas, kitchen, dining areas, bedrooms, and hallways. Because they can’t get too wet they are not ideal for bathrooms or laundry rooms. These floors are highly durable and easy to maintain if you follow simple cleaning and spot treating instructions.
Cleaning Tools To Have On Hand:
- Angled Brooms
- Dustpan
- Microfiber Cloth
- Sponge Mop or Flat Mop
- Cleaning Pail / Bucket
- Upright Vacuum or Robot Vacuum
- Cleaning Solution Made For Laminate
Cleaning Laminate Floors
It’s important not to get laminate floors too wet so it isn’t necessary to mop them daily. Instead, sweep regularly with a soft-bristle broom. An angled brush will help you get up dust and pet hair from around the baseboards. You can use a vacuum or robot vacuum that has a soft brush attachment that protects the floors from scratches.
Occasionally you’ll want to deep clean the floors by mopping. Using warm water with a few drops of cleaning solutions specifically made for laminate floors you can just a damp mop to clean. If you don’t have cleaning solution for laminate floors do not default to using harsh chemicals. Instead, add a teaspoon of dish soap or baby shampoo to your warm water. Remember, minimal water exposure is important. After you mop, wipe the floor with a microfiber cloth to dry. Avoid strong chemicals or oil-based cleaners.
Maintain Laminate Floors For Longer Life-Span
Getting new flooring is an investment so you’ll want to do your best to protect them once they are installed. Here are some tips for maintaining your laminate floors so that they last a long time.
- Water is the enemy, never allow standing water to sit on the floor too long. Blot up spills right away.
- You can use a damp microfiber cloth to spot clean.
- For oily spills, you can treat with a very small amount of acetone (fingernail polish remover) and wipe down the spot with a microfiber cloth afterward.
- Do not use a floor buffer on laminate floors.
- Avoid harsh cleaning chemicals because they eat away at the protective coating on the floor.
- Use protective mats under heavy furniture or at entryways.
- Keep pet nails trimmed to avoid scratching the surface.
- Keep humidity inside the home between 35% and 65% to keep the flooring from expanding and contracting
If you do happen to scratch your laminate floor there are kits you can buy to repair them. In extreme cases, you can buy replacement planks but you may want to differ to an expert to repair that type of damage. If you keep your floors clean and dry and avoid scratches, you should be able to enjoy them for a long time to come.