The Best Way to Clean Laminate Floors to Protect Their Shiny Finish

Date: 10 Jun 2022

Today's laminate flooring is a cost-effective, attractive option with highly realistic finishes and textures. It can mimic the look of any type of wood imaginable, including rare or exotic hardwoods, as well as stone and other flooring styles. Laminate floors are strong and difficult to scratch, and this material doesn't expand and contract like hardwood. However, it is more susceptible to moisture damage than real wood, making it a poor choice for bathrooms and laundry rooms where water might leak. Additionally, harsh products aren't recommended for cleaning laminate floors. When installed in other areas of the house, however, cleaning laminate floors is easy. Practicing regular light maintenance will keep your floors looking shiny and new for years to come.

Laminate floors get their beautiful appearance from a photographic reproduction, which is layered inside protective plastic coatings on a supporting core of wood-based material. Although laminate floors look like hardwood, they cannot be refinished and are difficult to repair. If laminate gets worn down, it will have to be replaced, so it's worth your time and effort to keep your laminate flooring clean and free from damaging grit and moisture. Put mats by exterior doors, runners or area rugs in high-traffic rooms, and floor protectors beneath the feet and corners of heavy furniture. These steps will help prevent your laminate floors from accumulating wear over time.

How to Clean Laminate Floors

First and foremost, always follow the manufacturer's care instructions for your new laminate floor, and don't hesitate to call your manufacturer with questions.

Step 1: Vacuum or Sweep Floors

If you inherited laminate floors when you moved in, plan on taking care of them by regularly sweeping, dusting, or vacuuming up loose dirt. Sweep or vacuum in the direction that your floor is laid to catch debris between the interlocking pieces. Wipe up all spills right away, including dry materials that fall.

Step 2: Damp-Mop Laminate Floors

Light damp mopping will help if simply wiping is not enough, but you should exercise caution. Avoid overly wet mopping, which can result in water seeping behind baseboards. When you do mop, use two buckets of water: one for clean water, and one for dirty water. Using a dirty mop head on your floors is usually the reason why annoying streaks appear afterward. Before you mop, vacuum first instead of sweeping, as vacuuming is much more effective at picking up particles. Just be sure to switch your vacuum setting to a soft brush. Rotating bristles on standard brushes can scratch a laminate floor.

Step 3: Dry Floors

If there is standing water on the floor after mopping, dry it with a microfiber cloth or microfibre dry mop.

Water is typically all you need to clean your laminate floor. If you must use cleaner, opt for a manufactured-approved solution designed for laminate. Never use wax, acrylic products, or bleach because they can damage the floor's finish.

For more advise or a quote to maintain your commercial site floors

www.cleanrite.co.nz

The Best Way to Clean Laminate Floors to Protect Their Shiny Finish