It is without a doubt that there has been an increased popularity of laminate floors among many homeowners.
Even though there are quite some reasons why laminate floors are increasingly becoming popular, it’s expensive yet glossy and well – the maintained look is something to die for. Laminate floors are amazingly beautiful and really classy. Despite that, such flooring has the not -so -good reputation for being difficult to mop. They need great care, which can be cumbersome to some people.
Cleaning The Laminate Floor
To clean laminate flooring, it’s always recommendable to start by first brushing off the floor. Here’s where you use a small, soft brush that cleans away any surface grit, debris, and dirt. That is, use this as a beforehand sweeping and preparation for real cleaning, maybe vacuuming it. Note that vacuuming a laminate floor isn’t advisable. And so, if you’ve decided to vacuum it, make sure it’s less frequent. Why not vacuum? It’s because vacuums work by collecting small and hard particles, which then lodge on some of its moving parts (such as the wheels). This might cause scratches on the laminate floor. Also, as the vacuum cleaner moves around, it can cause some damages that you might not even realize. So what’s a better alternative? A great and safe way to clean a laminate floor is the use of a handheld rechargeable cleaner that’s got a soft brush attachment. If you are looking to wipe a spill off a laminate floor, make sure that you’ve used a homemade natural cleaner. There are lots of options to choose from. The combination of a handheld cleaner with homemade cleaners will not only keep your laminate floor clean but also prevent your family from harmful chemicals. It’s advisable using a microfiber pad whenever you are cleaning the floors without chemicals. This is because the microfiber pad or clothing will be extra soft, and won’t damage your precious laminated floor. Nonetheless, the best cleaning method for a laminate floor is the use of a dry dust mop. Avoid wet mops, either with water or liquid cleaners.
How To Maintain Laminate Floors
If there is any spillage on the floor (paint, tar, oil), you can remove the stubborn stains with a fingernail polish remover. It’s better if you wiped off the spills using homemade natural cleaners. For tough substances stuck on the laminated floor, maybe a chewing gum or wax, you’ll need to remove them using ice. And then very carefully and gently scrape them with a plastic scraper (an expired credit card works just fine). When scraping off, be cautious not to scratch any surface. Then use the soft yet slightly damp cloth to wipe the area. But be careful not to use too much cleaner. When maintaining a laminate floor, expensive cleaners are not necessarily the answer. However, if you must use a cleaner, then it’s good if you’d pick something that’s within your budget, and one that’s designed specifically for laminate materials.
Always avoid soap
Even though the use of soap is a difficult temptation to overcome, you’ll just have to stay strong. Soap does nothing but leaves residue behind, which then dulls down the finish of the floor. It is worth mentioning that liquid isn’t good news for laminate floors. Water and other liquids tend to seep their way in between laminate boards, which causes swelling, thus damaging the laminate floor. Try avoiding the use of lots of water. Just try spraying as much as you can. Finally, avoid using polish, detergents, wax, varnish, and shine enhancers. Anything that’s got chemical content.
Restoring Laminate Floors, And Making It Look Great
For a laminate floor to restore its amazing and shiny look, you’ll need to sacrifice a few minutes and buff it dry. This is where you make use of an absorbent mopping head. A perfect example is a cloth diaper or a microfiber cleaning cloth. They make the best buffing rags. Protect the laminate floor from UV rays, which may bring about fading of the floor. All you need to do is install protective window coverings. Also, rearrange your furniture and rugs in a periodic manner. This lets your laminate floor age evenly. Invest in guest rags, which should be placed at the front door. This encourages guests to wipe their feet off, thus reducing chances of walking across the laminate floor with damaging and corrosive small substances. You can make it a habit of using rubber stoppers and runners at the bottom of the furniture. This helps prevent the laminate floor from scratches.
Final Thoughts
If there is one sure way you can keep that shiny look for your laminate floor, then you have to clean it on a regular basis. Basically, a laminate floor is built to last. And if treated properly, it will stay shiny the longest time possible. Better yet, you can seek advice from professional laminate floor cleaners. And yes, they actually do exist. Therefore, if there is damage to your laminate floor, and you feel you can’t handle it, just seek a specialist.
Author: Amy Perlman
