Equally durable, affordable and desirable every bit laminate floors can be, they do require a bit of maintenance to keep them looking their all-time. Proper cleaning will aid to extend the life of your floors. Keep the surface dust-gratis to avoid scratches and premature wear, and forestall irreversible h2o damage by being especially cautious almost spills and cleaning techniques. Take a look at the best cleansers and products to apply when cleaning your laminate floors, and also learn more than virtually what not to use.

Dry Mop

Y'all'll preclude scratches and surface damage on your laminate floors if y'all make information technology a practice to dry out mop your floors; aim for a daily wipe down. Opt for a wide microfiber broom head that will collect and cling to the everyday dirt that gets tracked across your floor. Microfiber heads are reusable and can be washed over and over again.

How to Make Your Own Mop Pads 01:15

Skip the refills and make these easy no-sew together mop pads instead.

Dry out mopping is beneficial in two ways:

  • By capturing debris (such equally dirt and dust brought in by shoes and paws) before you launder your floors, you'll reduce the chances of that same dirt grinding into the surface of the laminate with connected foot traffic.
  • Dry mopping is as well a necessary step before whatsoever deeper spot cleaning, because if left in place, those dirt particles could human action similar sandpaper betwixt your rags and the laminate surface.

Vacuum

For hard-to-achieve areas or speedy daily maintenance, plow to a vacuum that can assistance keep dust and clay off the floor surface, out of corners and out from under furnishings. Many vacuum products come with attachments that are especially helpful for cleaning difficult surfaces like a laminate floor, such as a microfiber pad that connects directly behind the vacuum head to capture grit and whatever particles missed by the suction of the vacuum itself. Robotic vacuums are also keen on laminate surfaces and can take a lot of the pressure off transmission cleaning.

Gentle Cleansers

Utilize a gentle cleanser to spot-clean visibly dingy areas, and always follow upwardly by wiping the area with a dry out, absorbent cloth.

Ane unproblematic cleaner that works well with laminate is: 1 office rubbing alcohol + 3 parts h2o + a squirt of dish soap, applied using a lightly dampened cloth.

If y'all must launder the entire floor, it's best to practise this process by manus with a lightly dampened textile with cleanser, and as you scrub the surface, follow upwards immediately with a dry, absorbent cloth to preclude water from settling into the gaps between the pieces of laminate. Preventing water damage is the near important part of maintaining laminate floors.

What to Avert When Cleaning Laminate

There are enough of no-nos to consider when it comes to cleaning laminate floors, so follow these tips to avert dissentious the surface or the layers of the flooring.

  • Practice non use steam cleaners. The heat and wet will affect the glued layers and result in water damage over time.
  • Do not soak the floors with a drippy mop.
  • Bristle brooms have a tendency to exit behind particles that can contribute to surface wear; it'south best to stick with a soft microfiber dry mop.
  • Avert products that promote a shine. The waxy buildup tin can be difficult to remove.
  • Do non use woods cleansers, like Murphy Oil Soap. It will leave residual on the surface and look streaky.
  • Avoid abrasive scrubbers, similar scratchy sponges or steel wool. Fifty-fifty baking soda, when applied and rubbed aggressively, may damage laminate floors.
  • Vinegar, though a popular ingredient in bootleg cleansers, is highly acidic and can pause downwards the surface of the laminate when used in high concentrations over fourth dimension.

How to Protect Laminate Floors

  • Wipe up wet spills immediately. Water + Laminate = Disaster.
  • Utilise glides or pads on the bottom of your furniture.
  • Endeavour to lift furniture as you motion information technology or place carpet or padding under heavy furniture as you motility it across laminate flooring to avoid scatching the surface of the laminate floor.
  • Identify mats under your furry friend'south water bowl and consider a mat under your baby'south loftier chair.