Wondering how to clean laminate floors and keep them looking pristine for years to come? Today's laminate flooring is an attractive option with highly realistic finishes and textures that can mimic the look of any type of any wood imaginable, as well as stone tiles and other flooring styles.
Laminate floors are affordable and durable. Still, they require a bit of maintenance to keep them looking their best. Keep reading to find out more about cleaning laminate floors to extend their life.
How to Clean Laminate Floors
Many people make the mistake of thinking that their kitchen or bathroom laminate flooring should be cleaned like any other floor – but that is just not the case. Laminate wood flooring needs special care because, unlike hardwood, its surface can't just be refinished if there are stains or damage.
First of all, you should always follow the manufacturer's care instructions for your new wide plank laminate flooring, and don't hesitate to contact your manufacturer with questions. You should take care of your laminate floors by regularly dusting, sweeping, or vacuuming up loose dirt.
It's also important to wipe up all spills right away, including dry materials that fall. If wiping is not enough, you may damp-mop laminate floors, exercising caution. You should vacuum first before mopping instead of sweeping because vacuuming is much more effective at picking up particles. Make sure you switch your vacuum setting to a soft brush because rotating bristles on standard brushes can scratch laminate. Use two buckets of water when you mop – one for clean water and one for dirty water.
You should clean laminate floors a minimum every two weeks. But if shoes are allowed indoors or if you have pets, you will need to clean more often. To control the excess dirt, you should keep a floor mat at every entrance to your home.
How to Mop Laminate Floors
A mop may help to reduce the damage caused to your laminate flooring over time and bring out an attractive shine, complementing your clean home. You should damp-mop the floor for a thorough deep cleaning about once a month. Kitchen laminate flooring and flooring in other spaces that see a lot of foot traffic might need it more frequently.
Here is how to mop laminate floors. Use a mop with a washable, reusable microfiber head that will collect and cling to the everyday dirt that gets tracked across your floor. First, spray the floor with a laminate floor cleaner sparingly, so you don't oversaturate it, and then wipe with the mop. You can also dry mop your white laminate flooring every day to prevent scratches and surface damage.
It's better not to use a steam mop on laminate floors. Although today's waterproof laminate flooring is more resistant to moisture and spills, the steam may still cause warping and other damage.
Best Way to Clean Laminate Floors
The easiest way to clean laminate is using hot water. It's also one of the best ways because it is the least likely to damage your laminate floor protective coating. But you can use this method only periodically or after your dark or light wood laminate has become visibly dirty. Follow these steps:
- Fill a bucket with hot water.
- Soak a sponge mop in hot water and squeeze it until it gets mildly damp.
- Start from the center and work your way out to give the laminate flooring a thorough mopping.
- Wipe the floor with a dry, clean microfiber cloth.
Cleaning Laminate Floors: Dos and Don'ts
You should treat your laminate floors with care to avoid pricey replacements. Cleaning your laminate floors should become part of your weekly household chore schedule. Here are some more tips.
- Read the cleaning instructions that come with your laminate flooring because brands may have specific recommendations based on the materials used.
- Never allow liquids to stand on your floor. Always use a damp cloth to blot up spills immediately.
- Avoid using homemade cleaners composed of products around the house.
- Don't use abrasive tools like steel wool and scratchy sponges.
- Don't use oil-based cleaning products that can leave streaks and residue or damage the protective sealant of the floors.
- Avoid using abrasive cleaners or strong ammoniated or chlorinated type cleaners.
- Avoid products that promote a shine because the waxy buildup can be difficult to remove.
- Periodically clean your floors with cleaning products made specifically for laminate floor care.
Remember that if you practice regular light maintenance, you'll keep your laminate floors looking shiny and new for years to come.
