Dos and Donts When It Comes to Caring for Laminate Flooring

Do you want to ensure your laminate flooring looks gleaming and fresh for years to come? Although laminate floors can have a look similar to hardwood floors, you shouldn’t make the mistake of cleaning them the same way. What makes oak planks shine will not work for laminate floors. Your laminate flooring needs special care because its properties are different from hardwood floors. Remember, laminate floors are more sensitive, and you cannot refinish the surface like you can with hardwood if it gets scratched or stained.

Since you invested a lot of money in your laminates, you must maintain your floors to avoid expensive replacements. Treat them carefully and avoid scratches. This includes walking on them with spiked stilettos or having pets with sharp nails run around. Whether you’ve had new laminate flooring installed or have older floors that you want to keep looking as good as new, here’s how you can clean them like a professional.

DO: Listen to Expert Advice

When you install laminate floors, your flooring specialist will give you special cleaning instructions. Pay attention to what they say. Usually, brands come with specific cleaning instructions and recommendations on their preferred materials. If you don’t have a printed copy, you can call your flooring specialist or check out their website for a detailed product guide.

DON’T: Allow Stains to Sit on Floors

When spills happen, clean them up immediately. Don’t ever let a spill fester on your floors. If you want to avoid staining the surface of your laminate floors, tackle spills as they happen. Remember, liquids can cause damage, so it’s essential to act fast to minimize damage.

DON’T: Use Abrasive Tools

Flooring materials crafted with laminates can scratch. So, you must be careful if you want to keep your floors looking pristine. Steer clear of abrasive cleaning materials including brushes or steel wool. Instead, go with a gentle broom with soft bristles. You can also use a dusting mop or a dry Swiffer. If you have a traditional or robot vacuum, make sure it has no better bar or rotating brush attached to the bottom, as this could scratch your floors.

DO: Carefully Mop Floors at the Proper Intervals

You can mop laminate flooring every two months. Choose microfibre mops which are very gentle and soft. You can also use a regular mop but be sure to wring it out well. It must be almost completely dry before you use it on your laminate floors. Traditional mopping cannot be used on laminate floors since it can allow water to seep and penetrate the seams. This will result in damage including bubbling and swelling. Besides, the water from that mop can make your floors fade or stain.

DON’T: Use Inappropriate Cleaning Products

Although you may be excited to clean your floors to ensure they stay hygienic for your family, make sure you skip cleaning products that are not explicitly labelled for laminates. Usually, oil-based cleaners leave residue, marks, and streaks. Avoid wax and polishes meant for hardwoods. These products can damage the protective laminate floor sealant. Instead, buy a laminate cleaner and use it sparingly. You can apply it with a microfibre cloth instead of putting it directly on the floor.

DO: Try Making Your Own DIY Laminate-Friendly Cleaner

Here’s some good news: you can make your own DIY laminate floor cleaner. For daily cleansing, you can combine one teaspoon of clear unscented dish soap with a gallon of warm water. Another option, if you’ve got build-up on your floor, is to mix one cup of white vinegar with one gallon of warm water. Vinegar is a natural cleaning solution that breaks down gunk without hurting the surface of the floor. If you’re using these cleaners with a cloth or mop, make sure it’s only damp. To avoid leaving puddles on the floor, the cloth should never be sopping wet.

DON’T: Forget to Place Entryway Mats

Unfortunately, many homeowners forget to use entryway mats. This is one of the easiest ways to damage flooring material because dirt and debris tracked from outside can damage floors and make them look dirty. For instance, grit stuck on the bottom of shoes can scratch and make laminate flooring look dull. That’s why you must put mats by entryways and encourage everyone to wipe their shoes when entering your home.

DO: Protect Your Floor from Potential Damage

Avoid scratches by giving your pet’s nails a good trim. File them after, too, since these nails can cause scratches. With properly groomed nails, you can prevent floor damage even if your pets roam around your home. You can also avoid scratches by using protective pads under your tables, chairs, and other furniture that gets moved frequently. Most of all, ask everyone in your household to pay attention to their footwear. No stilettos or soccer cleats should be allowed on the floors. Homes with younger kids would benefit from having a designated play area. For instance, metal cars rolled by your toddler on the floor can cause dents and scratches.

If you need more advice on how to care for your floors, call our team of flooring specialists. We can give you suggestions based on the brand installed in your home. You can check out our website at https://www.prolinefloors.com.au/ to learn more. We’d love to hear from you.

Check out this article for some additional ideas!

How to Clean Laminate Floors: 11 Do’s and Don’ts

Wondering how to clean laminate floors and keep them looking great for years? While your laminate floors may look as good as hardwood floors, that doesn’t mean you should clean them the same way. The best way to clean laminate floors is not the same method you would use to make those oak planks shine. Laminate floors need special care because unlike hardwood, the surface can’t just be refinished in the case of stains or damage. To avoid pricey replacements, it’s critical to maintain your floors and treat them with care. (That means no stilettos!) Whether you have new laminate floors or just want your existing surface to look as good as the day it was installed, here’s how to clean laminate floors like a pro.

Here https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/how-to-clean-laminate-floors