Laminate Floor Cleaning - Care and Maintenance
Laminate flooring is a wood-look product that comes as planks or tiles that are either glued together or click together without the need for adhesives.
It provides a smooth surface, with a seamless look and feel. Laminate flooring maintenance is easy and can help extend the life and look of the floor for many years.
Cleaning Laminate Flooring
Regular cleaning, including sweeping, vacuuming and dry mopping is generally all the care the flooring needs.
Spills should be cleaned up immediately to avoid staining, and even though laminate flooring is resistant to staining, standing moisture can do permanent damage.
Maintaining Laminate Flooring
Regular cleaning is the first step in laminate flooring maintenance.
If a board becomes damaged, some laminate flooring manufacturers have kits to repair small marks or nicks in the surface.
When a board is damaged and must be replaced, follow the manufacturer’s directions. In some cases, when the installation required no glue, it is easier to replace and requires only tools and time.
When the installation required glue to assemble the boards, it may be better to hire a professional to replace the board.
In either case, it’s important to be aware of anything that might void the warranty.
Laminate Flooring Maintenance Do's
For high traffic areas it is important to install a higher grade laminate to withstand the wear and tear.
Sweep, vacuum and damp mop frequently to avoid scratches and a dull appearance.
Choose products made by your particular flooring manufacturer to clean and maintain the appearance.
Use floor protectors under furniture to avoid scratching the surface. Never drag furniture or other objects across the floor as this can leave noticeable scratches and dents.
Use mats in doorways to help reduce the amount of dirt and dust tracked in from outside. Encourage family members and guests to remove footwear and keep pets with sharp claws off the floor.
Like many flooring options, laminate flooring can fade in direct sunlight so it is a good idea to protect it with curtains and blinds.
Laminate Flooring Maintenance Dont's
Never flood a laminate floor to clean it as the excess water can seep into the joints and cause swelling and warping of the boards.
Do not attempt to refinish this type of flooring as the surface ‘wood’ layer is very thin and sanding it will ruin it.
Do not use soap detergents as these can leave the floor dull looking from the remaining film.
Never use abrasive cleaning products such as steel wool and always sweep up any sand that is tracked in on the floor.
Never wax or polish laminate flooring, and don’t use chemicals to clean spills.
Laminate flooring is a durable choice, and can be installed above or below grade, making it a versatile and popular modern alternative to wood flooring. Although it is less expensive than wood flooring, it is possible to buy laminate with warranties up to 25 years. Proper laminate flooring maintenance is worth knowing so that the floor will stay looking as beautiful as the day it was installed.
Please remember the above is just a guide and you should seek professional advice.
