Laminate floors look great in any home, but often people are left with the same question – how do you clean laminate floors without making scratches or ruining them? Laminate floors require some care so that they don’t get damaged and have to be replaced. Maintaining laminate floors can help make them last for years, and look just like hardwood flooring. Laminate flooring should always be wiped when liquid is spilt on it before it soaks into the flooring and causes irreversible damage. Take a look at these tips to learn how to clean laminate floors the simple and easy way, or hire an experienced SweepStar to take care of it and all of your other cleaning service needs.
1. Read The Owner’s Manual Instructions
Before cleaning your laminate floors, the first and foremost thing you should do is read the instruction manual that came with the flooring. There should be information on the best ways to clean your laminate flooring. Alternatively, if you no longer have the instruction booklet, you can always check online on the manufacturer’s website for the owner’s manual.
2. Don’t Leave Stains To Sit
You should never leave stains to sit on your laminate floors for long periods of time. Always clean up spills as they happen. The liquid will damage the floors, so you mustn’t leave them exposed to much spillage.
3. Don’t Use Abrasive Cleaning Equipment
Laminate flooring scratches easily, so you should never attempt to use steel wool or other abrasive materials for cleaning. Use a soft bristle broom or a dust mop to sweep your laminate floors free from dust and debris. If you’re using a vacuum cleaner, be sure to use one without a beater brush or rotating brush as this may simply scratch the surface of your floors.
4. Carefully Mop Your Floors
You should clean your laminate floors with a mop at least once every 2 months. Damp or microfiber mops are suitable and gentle enough for cleaning laminate floors. If you only have a regular mop, you can still use it, but be sure to wring it out until it’s almost dry.
5. Don’t Use Too Much Water
Traditional mopping with a soaking wet mop is a no-no. The water can seep into the seams of the floors and cause them to bubble or swell. Pools of water can lead to staining or fading of the flooring.
6. Consider A DIY Laminate Floor Cleaner
You should be careful if you’re using commercial cleaners on laminate flooring, as they can leave residue or streaks which can damage the protective sealant on the floors. Using a DIY cleaner will yield better results. A simple cleaning solution is a teaspoon of dish soap in a gallon of water. For floors that have a slight film or waxy residue, which happens after using the wrong commercial cleaners, the best way to clean your laminate floors is to add one cup of vinegar to a gallon of hot water and use the mixture to mop the laminate floors. Don’t forget to wring out your mop as the mop should be damp and not completely wet – water that pools up on the floors can cause irreversible damage.
7. Add Household Items To Your Cleaning Equipment
For tough stains like ink and candle wax, most cleaning methods are at hand. For candle wax or chewing gum stuck to your laminate floors, apply a bag of ice to it and it should begin to harden. You can then easily scrape it off with a plastic knife or credit card. To clean up paint, ink, or nail polish, use rubbing alcohol to remove these stains.
8. Protect Your Laminate flooring From Damage
To prevent scratches to your floor, apply furniture pads to the legs of your chairs, couches, and table, especially if they are moved often. Floor mats and rugs will help to prevent wear and tear, especially near entrances of your home.
9. Put Down A Welcome Mat
Dirt from shoes that track inside make your laminate floors dirty and can even end up scratching them. A welcome mat for your guests to wipe their shoes on before entering your house will save your laminate flooring from becoming dirty, dull and scratched.
10. Trim Your Pets Nails
Although this isn’t necessarily a cleaning tip for your laminate flooring, it is a good way to protect the floors. If you have pets, trim their nails as soon as possible as your dog or cat’s nails can scratch laminate floors.
Laminate flooring requires regular cleaning with a vacuum to remove dust, dirt, and debris. Don’t use a rotating or beater brush as the bristles may scatter dirt and scratch your floors. For deep cleaning, mop your floors at least once a month with a damp mop, a mop with a washable, reusable microfiber head, or disposable wipes. Rather spray your floors with a cleaner so that the floors don’t get oversaturated, then use your mop to wipe them. To prevent damage, you shouldn’t polish or wax your laminate flooring, nor should you use abrasive cleaners or sponges like steel wool to clean laminate floors, as they will scratch. Lastly, you may want to consider cleaning your floors after cleaning the kitchen, to ensure places with the most foot traffic get a deeper clean.
