A new laminate floor can be a beautiful addition to any home. However, it is important to know how to care for your laminate floor, so they last as long as possible!
The following blog post talks about some of the best practices for caring for your laminate floors.
Laminate flooring is a beautiful and affordable way to update your home and give it that new look.
It has become viral because it can resemble the look of other more expensive floor coverings such as hardwood, tile, or stone at a fraction of the price.
Laminate floors tend to be less durable than those types of traditional floor coverings (although there are exceptions). However, they meet their match in the hands of someone who knows what type of care they need.
Follow these tips for how to care for laminate floors:
• Sweep – This should be done on a daily basis. You can use a broom or even a vacuum cleaner with the brush attachment (although if you have pets/or toddlers roaming around your house, you may want to opt for a vacuum cleaner).
• Vacuum – This should be done at least once per week. You can use any type of vacuum with an upholstery attachment and a crevice tool (for corners), but do not use the brush attachment on your vacuum for this!
The brush is too harsh and will scratch the laminate flooring surface.
• Mop – You can use hot water mixed with a small amount of dish soap or your favorite floor cleaner. Make sure to wring out your mop well, so it isn’t dripping all over unless you like the feeling of squishy floors.
The best practice would also be to wait for the floor to dry between moppings, as it will reduce your carbon footprint. You can choose the best mop for your laminate floor here.
• Do not use too much hot steam – Yes, they are great at getting rid of germs and other yucky things from your floors, but because laminate flooring is so smooth and the water so hot, you will run the risk of warping or discoloring it.
• Do not use any type of waxing product – Waxes collect dust and will eventually cause a build-up on your laminate floor, which can lead to dulling and early wear.
• If using felt pads, replace them once per year – The reason I say “once per year” is because depending on how much traffic your home gets, it may be more often. If you have pets, you will need to replace them even more often.
• Use a felt or rubber pad for chairs and other furniture – This is an excellent way to save your laminate flooring from scratches and dents that could lead to premature wear.
With all of this said, if your laminate flooring is scratched, warping/buckling has occurred, soiling is present, or staining has taken place, it might be time to replace those floors as some problems cannot be solved!
However, if they are still within their warranty period (most manufacturers can tell you how long yours will last), go back to the supplier where the product was purchased because they should be able to help you out!
How not damage the laminate floor while cleaning?
Most laminate wood floors are made of a resin base that is easy to scratch and scuff from everyday wear. This can be especially problematic if you have young kids or pets around the house. Luckily, there are some simple steps you can take to prevent damage while cleaning.
Clean spills as soon as they happen- Spilled milk, juice, or any other type of liquid should never sit on a laminate floor for very long.
That means getting to it right away with either a paper towel or a rag dampened with warm water before your pet decides to drink from the puddle!
If the spill is going to stain permanently, it could require some minor repair techniques down the line.
Use the appropriate tools for the job- If you’ve spilled candle wax, then it might make sense to use something like a soft scrub brush or an old toothbrush that would be gentle on your laminate flooring.
However, if you’re dealing with something like dirt or mud, then you might want to go with something less abrasive, like a dampened cloth.
Stay away from ammonia and vinegar- While these common household chemicals are great for cleaning most surfaces around your home, they can be very corrosive to certain types of laminate floors. Stick with water and mild soap when possible!.
Vacuum whenever possible- It’s good practice to vacuum at least once per week regardless of what type of flooring you have.
This is where an excellent upright vacuum comes in handy, but some stick models that run on electricity can also do the trick as long as they’re gentle enough for your laminate floor. Just
be sure to stick with the brush attachments that are made of wood or plastic, not ones that use rotating bristles.
Dry your floors promptly: After you’ve finished cleaning with water, leave the floor wet for long periods, and this could cause warping, buckling, or even some sections breaking clean off.
If there’s no way around leaving them wet for a while (like if you have pets), then place something absorbent like a large towel underneath so it can soak up any extra moisture.
Never wax laminate surfaces- Most types of wax contain solvents and chemicals that will break down the finish over time.
That means they’ll eventually need to be refinished, which is costly and inconvenient! Be sure to purchase a product that is specially made for laminate flooring.
FAQ How to Care for Laminate Floors?
Q: What is the best mop for a laminate floor?
A: A microfiber mop is best for cleaning laminate floors because of its absorbency, streak-free finish, and durability while protecting the surface. Here we have listed Top 10 best mops for laminate floors.
Q: How to care for a wide plank laminate floor?
A: Laminate wood floors are easy to clean if you lay them correctly. The first thing you’ll want to do is sweep away any loose dirt or other debris that could scratch your floor.
For stubborn stains, try using a damp cloth with warm water. Next, take an old rag (that won’t leave behind lint) and put in about two ounces of neutral cleaner like Murphy’s oil soap along with 4 ounces of clean water.
Mix this together well until it becomes sudsy, then rub it onto your floor in a circular motion. Please wait until it dries.
Then you can buff the area with a dry cloth or towel to finish things off. Finally, go over the entire floor with either a microfiber mop or cotton rag to remove any streaks.
Q: How often should I clean my laminate floors?
A: It’s essential to clean your floors at least once per week regardless of what type of surface you have.
This will ensure that spills and dirt aren’t left around for too long since liquids could damage the surface while dried particles could scratch them over time!
Spills should be cleaned up right away before they’re able to cause any visible damage. If there are any that simply won’t come out, then try using some warm water or a damp cloth with mild soap.