Laminate flooring is a popular floor type used for most modern houses in the world today. Almost every house owner makes use of laminate flooring style. One reason is that it is relatively inexpensive, hence its popularity. Besides that, laminate floors are extremely tough, very long-lasting and are easy to install. While most people have adopted this type of flooring, like almost every other thing, it has its pros and cons.
Laminate floors require a good maintenance to keep its original beauty and continue functioning well. One way is by proper cleaning. Laminate floors require frequent cleaning in order to prevent them from getting flexed or roughed. But using coarse or unpleasantly rough cleansers could ruin the laminate. So, what are the best ways on how to clean laminate floors properly, you might ask?
Were Here to Help You!
In this article we are going to state out proper and well researched effective cleaning methods for laminate floors. So that from now and on you have it clear cut.
TRADITIONAL CLEANING
Materials Needed:
- Dry Dust Mop
- Cloth or Sponge
- Mild Detergent
In the traditional cleaning method, the first step is to sweep the floor with a dry dust mop, removing excess filth, wastes or dust particles. This should be done frequently to prevent these particles from building up over time and cause scratches on the laminate. Advisably, sweep in the direction by which the laminate was installed. This will enable you to pick dirt that fall in between the laminates easily. A soft brush with a handle can also serve the purpose of sweeping instead of a mop. Do not use a regular floor brush with hard spikes or bristles, as they could damage the surface of the laminate.
After sweeping, use a wet soft sponge or cloth to clean up liquid spills, stains or leftover residue on the laminate floor.
Allowing liquid to rest on the laminate for a long time can trash the shielding layer of the laminate. So try to get into the habit of drying up spills immediately after they happen.
For stubborn stains you can put your mop/cloth into a mild detergent and clean. Depending on the nature of the stain, this may take a few wipes. Make sure to read the label of the product before use. Don’t use a product that assures a pine scent or a glassy surface as these may leave behind some soapy and dull remnants.
Quick Wash
Materials Needed
- Bucket
- Sponge Mop
- Mild Detergent
Hot water is frequently seen as one of the means to achieve effective cleaning. This is so also with the laminate floor. If done properly, the use of hot water in cleaning the laminate floor will allow no room for smear or strokes on the laminate. And since water is mild, the shielding layer of the laminate is unlikely to get harmed.
Fill up the bucket with hot water, not boiling hot water, more to the lukewarm side. Add a little mild detergent to the pail. Then, dip the sponge mop in the bucket of water so that it is a little damped. The regular mop can also be used, but the sponge mop is more advisable because its saturation level can be easily controlled. Make sure to squeeze the mop properly to remove excess water, leaving it slightly damped before use.
Mop the floor properly from one angle of the room to another, preferably from the interior to the exterior to avoid stepping on already mopped areas thereby leaving stains. Then allow the laminate to dry if it is moist, or better still clean with a soft dry cloth. Allowing water to sit on the laminate for long is not prudent.
Vinegar
Materials Needed
- Vinegar
- Water
- Spray Bottle
- Mop or Cloth
Diluted vinegar can come in very handy in removing stains, especially muddy and difficult stains from laminate floors. Vinegar is a little too harsh on its own, and so must be combined with water to get the best results.
First, pour vinegar into the spray bottle between half and 3/4 full, then fill up the rest of the bottle with water.
Spray a little of the vinegar on the laminate floor, one portion at a time. Do not spray on the entire floor at once. You will need to rub off the vinegar almost right away to prevent it from diminishing on the protective layer of the laminate. You could spray every 25-30cm of the laminate floor at one time.
Wipe off the mixture with a wet cloth or mop almost as soon as you apply it on the floor. Afterwards, air dry or use a dry cloth to clean up any water left behind on the floor to avoid damage to the laminate.
Getting Rid of Difficult Stains
While the above cleaning methods are effective, some stains are just too difficult. They just don’t go away!
However, with a little more effort and knowledge these stains can be removed with without harming the laminate. Below are a list of some tough stains and the best way to get rid of them.
Blood Stains – Sprinkle a small amount of window cleaner on affected spot and clean with a warm, slightly wet cloth.
Chewing Gum – Use a plastic knife to scrape off the gum, and then clean up remnants with a soft moist cloth.
Ink Marks – Apply a mineral spirit or a little detergent to a moist cloth and clean the stained area. You can also use ink remover to wipe out the stain completely.
Grease – Put an ice pack or some frozen vegetables on the spot until the grease hardens. Then use a plastic knife to scrape it off, afterwards wipe out residues by adding a window cleaner on the spot and cleaning with a wet cloth.
Laminate floors can be quite an elegant piece in adding beauty to your home but cleaning them and maintain their beauty can be a challenge at times. Using the above listed methods and techniques on how to clean laminate floors properly, you will be able to keep your laminate floors clean and looking great for years to come.