Laminate floors give a different look to your home or office. These floors are durable and resistant to stains. If you use the proper laminate cleaning products and methods, they can be cleaned and maintained easily.
Here are some general floor cleaning tips for these types of floors:
Sweeping:
Sweep the laminated floors daily with a soft-bristled broom. That will prevent the scratches.
Vacuum Cleaning:
It is convenient and important to vacuum clean the laminate flooring frequently to remove loose dust and dirt. The dust has abrasives that can cause scratches.
Wet Mopping:
A damp mopping is recommended to clean the laminate floors once in a week or less. You can use a soft microfiber mop. Always mop along the lines of the floor planks. Dry and clean the floor with soft microfiber mops. Make sure to only use a damp mop as water can harm the laminated floors. It is recommended to only use the recommended laminate cleaning products to clean your the floors.
Things to Avoid:
You should not use wax, polish, or a vegetable oil based product, scouring powder, abrasive pads or steel wool to polish or clean a laminate floor. These products will damage the floor surface. Also, avoid use of cleaning agents such as vinegar, ammonia or chlorinated solutions for cleaning the floors. Vinegar is an acid. Each time you use, it will eat away the surface, make it dull and remove the top protective layer. Same way, ammonia and chlorine will damage the top layer of floors. Do not wash or wet mop the floor with soap, detergent and water. This can cause warping, swelling, delamination and opening up of the joints and gaps.
Cleaning Liquid Spill and Stains:
If any liquid is spilled on the floor surface, it must be immediately cleaned. It can stain the floor or enter the seams. Use a soft cloth or paper towel to soak and wipe up the spill. Clean the spot with a damp cloth using laminate stain cleaner. A neutral cleaner, nail polish remover, or acetone can remove oil, a permanent marker, or a paint stain.
You can use warm water with or without a neutral cleaner for wiping off stains from juice, beer, sauce, tea, coffee or sauce. It is better to use a Deep cleaner meant for laminate type floors. Substances such as chewing gum or wax should be first solidified with ice and then carefully rubbed off. You can clean the spot with warm water or a Deep cleaner. However, water should be used only when the laminated flooring is sealed.
Using Proper Laminate Cleaning Products:
The floors are not sealed particularly at the seams. Using the moist mops or washing with water can cause moisture to enter the laminate and damage it. It is advisable to use the correct laminate cleaning products recommended by the manufacturers of your flooring.
There are various products like Deep cleaners, Cleaners, and Restoration products from renowned manufacturers. These products are specially manufactured for the laminated floors.
The regular cleaner can be used periodically after sweeping and vacuuming to mop the floor and remove the dirt, grime and footmarks and make it shine using a microfiber mop. It will not leave behind any residue or streaks.
You can use the Deep Cleaner, if your laminated floor has become stained and very dirty. The instructions for use of laminate cleaning products are provided with them.
Restoration:
As the laminated floor becomes older, it has scuff, scratch and wear marks on it. You may like to restore it to increase its shine and provide it extra moisture protection. You need to clean and apply a Restoration product to maintain the floor.
You can clean your floor with a Deep Cleaner to remove the dirt, residue, grime, oils, etc. Next, clean it with the regular cleaner using a microfiber pad so that the floor surface is perfectly cleaned and you can apply a Restoration coating to it. The Restoration coating will fill scuffs and scratches and hide them. It will also protect seams and joints from water damage and remove the footprints. Using the right laminate cleaning products will protect your laminated floors and keep them in a good condition.