Laminate floors are an affordable and beautiful alternative to hardwood. Made from fiberboard topped with a high-quality image, they can mimic almost any other flooring material, such as hardwood. While laminate floors are easy on the budget, they do require special maintenance. Read on to learn what you should avoid doing and how to best clean your laminate floors to ensure they last.
Benefits of Laminate Flooring
There are a couple of key features that make laminate flooring a popular choice for many homeowners. First of all, laminate flooring is more affordable compared to other options, sometimes half the cost of hardwood flooring. It is also easy to install and can even be installed over pre-existing flooring.
Laminate also stands up to everyday wear and tear, making it a great option for busy households with kids and pets running around. Laminate is also very versatile when it comes to looks, making your options almost endless. From these few benefits alone, it’s easy to see why many homeowners opt for it and want to maintain their flooring choice.
The one thing hardwood and laminate floors have in common is that they both require extra care when it comes to cleaning. Laminate won’t be able to handle harsh cleaning products or excess water like stone or tile floors can. While it may sound tricky caring for your laminate floors, the good news is that it is easy if you know the right steps to take.
How to Best Clean Your Laminate Floor
To avoid warping, discolouration or damaging your laminate flooring, a spot-cleaning approach is best. If something is spilt, be sure to use a damp cloth to wipe it up straight away and do not wait for it to harden or dry on your floors. Doing so will require the use of water and cleaners that can damage your floors. Take care of messes as you notice them and do not wait for dirt to build up. For everyday cleaning, your best bet is to use a dry dust mop or microfiber mop.
If it’s been months since your last deep cleaning, try this method every few months. Note: you do not need to clean your laminate floors more than once every few months. Over-cleaning can actually do more harm than good!
When it’s time to clean your floors, start by making a simple cleaning solution of water and either castile soap or baby shampoo. A few drops of castile soap mixed with 3 gallons of hot water or a teaspoon of baby shampoo with 1 gallon of hot water will do the trick. Tip: Do not use oil-based products on your floors. Doing so can leave hard to remove streaks.
With your mixture made, dip your mop in and be sure to wring it out well, almost to the point of it being dry. The less water/moisture used on your laminate floors, the better. With your damp mop, simply mop away as you would normally. Once done, be sure to remove any excess water. You can use a clean microfiber cloth or a dry mop to do this.
Things to Avoid When Cleaning Laminate Floors
Water is the main enemy of your laminate floors. Be careful when mopping so that there isn’t excess water covering your floors. Do not let spills sit as this can warp your floors.
Do not use vinegar to clean your laminate floor. While vinegar is great for cleaning a number of things in the home, its acidic properties will be too harsh for your floors. If you do not want to make a soap mixture like mentioned above, you can purchase a cleaner from a store. Just make sure to check the label if it is safe for laminate floors.
Over-cleaning your laminate floors can cause them to discolour. Cleaning too frequently or with the wrong products can wear away the protective seal which causes the discolouring.
Keeping our homes clean is an all-time high priority right now. While it’s important to keep your floors clean, make sure you’re not damaging them with over-cleaning. Wipe up spills when they happen and clean on the go to ensure your laminate floors stay beautiful for years to come. If you want laminate floors installed in your home, simply click on the banner below to get started.
