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Laminate flooring is a popular choice for many homes, but to keep it looking nice and shiny it’s essential to clean it the right way.
With a few simple tips and the right products, you can make laminate floors look brand new.
In this article we will discover together the best methods for cleaning laminate floors.
Preparing for Cleaning
The floors in laminate they are composed of pressed layers of composite wood and a thin scratch-resistant surface. They are loved for their durability and elegant appearance.
To begin with, it is essential to remove as much dust and dirt from the surface as possible.
Use a dustproof cloth, an electrostatic mop or a vacuum cleaner suitable for hard surfaces. It is best to avoid traditional brooms, as they may leave debris between the laminate joints. Don’t forget to remove the carpets and to clean under them.
Advise: To remove any marks left by shoes or furniture, you can rub with a slightly abrasive microfiber cloth or an artist’s eraser.
Choice of Detergent
There is a wide variety of commercial laminate floor cleaners on the market. Make sure you choose one specifically for laminate flooring. Avoid products intended for hardwood floors or wax.
To save money, you can make your own cleaner by mixing 2 gallons of water with 1/4 cup distilled white vinegar or 1/2 cup isopropyl alcohol. Pour the solution into a sprayer and label it for easy use.
Wet cleaning
Lightly spray a small area of ​​the freshly vacuumed floor with your chosen cleaner, being careful not to get it too wet. If the floor doesn’t dry within a minute, you’re using too much liquid.
Use a mop in microfibra and work in a grid pattern, starting from one corner of the room. If the floor is very dirty, rinse the mop cloth when necessary and wring it well.
Floor polishing
To give the floor a shine once cleaned, polish with a microfiber cloth in one of the following ways:
- Use a dry microfiber mop.
- Place a microfiber cloth under the mop head.
- Clean by hand with a microfiber cloth.
Work in small circles to get a shiny finish.
Attention: It is not necessary to apply polish to laminate floors. In fact, the use of wax or polish can damage the surface and leave irremovable marks.
Strategies for Keeping Laminate Floors Clean
Sweeping and vacuuming regularly is essential to keeping laminate floors clean. Treating stains immediately with a microfiber cloth will help keep floors fresh and clean.
To keep your floor in good condition, avoid the aggressive beater bars of vacuum cleaners, which can scratch laminate floors.
Also, check the humidity: avoid overly wet mop buckets and steam cleaners, which can lead to warping of the laminate.
Stain Removal
Removing stains from laminate floors can require great care. Here’s how to deal with an oil stain:
- Blot the stain with a paper towel to absorb as much as possible.
- Apply a drop of dish soap and scrub gently with a soft toothbrush.
- Rinse well with water.
- If the stain persists, try a small amount of isopropyl alcohol and let it sit for a moment.
- Scrub the area again and clean with soapy water.
Elimination of halos
To avoid streaks or stringy residues on laminate floors, carefully choose the detergent and quantity to use:
- Using a commercial cleaner, make sure it is specifically for laminate floors.
- With a DIY cleaner Based on vinegar or alcohol, don’t worry about streaks as they don’t leave residual ingredients on the floor.
- Evita universal cleaners, dish soap and floor waxes that promise shine.
- Use only a very small amount of detergent. The floor should not remain damp for more than two minutes.
- Polish the freshly cleaned floor with a dry mop or microfibre cloth to avoid streaks.
