Laminate Floors: How to Clean Laminate Flooring

Laminate floors are gaining popularity as an inexpensive alternative to hardwood floors that can lend the same natural and elegant look to your home. These laminate floors are actually made of high density fiber, finished with a long-lasting laminate coating. The bottom layer is usually made of melamine, over which a core layer, made of fiberboard is placed. Then a designer layer is placed over the top of the fiberboard, which imitates the look of a wood floor. Finally, it is coated with a protective transparent layer that provides protection from moisture and scratches.

There are many advantages of laminate flooring, like it is less expensive than hadwood flooring and is easy to install. Besides this, they are more durable and resistant to scratches and dents, as compared to hardwood floors. However, in spite of their durability and hardness, they also require proper cleaning and maintenance just like any other floor. Here are a few tips on how to clean your laminate floor and keep it free from scratches and stains.

How to Clean Laminate Floors

Laminate floors require daily cleaning. Therefore, it should be regularly cleaned, as otherwise, dust, dirt or sand particles may scratch the surface of your laminate floor. For sweeping the floor, you can use either a sweeper or a soft bristled broom, that will help remove any kind of dirt and debris. You can also use vacuum cleaner, especially to clean the edges of the rooms and the areas under heavy furniture, that can not be easily cleaned by a normal broom or sweeper.

Now for wiping the floor, a wood laminate floor cleaner can be used. Just spray it on your floor and then wipe it using a damp cloth or sponge, but do not use excess water. Though laminate floors can withstand moisture to an extent, they can't tolerate excessive moisture. Excess moisture can cause the planks to swell, and therefore, water spilled on the surface should be immediately wiped off with a dry and soft cloth.

The use of abrasive cleaners like steel wool, scouring powder and sand paper is not recommended for cleaning laminate flooring, as they can scratch the surface. Instead you can use either plain water or a mixture of vinegar and water. The vinegar and water mixture can also be effective in removing any kind of stain. Just spray the mixture on the floor and then wipe it using a slightly damp mop. Instead of a mop you can also use cleaning pads but they are a bit expensive. However, never wax or polish your laminate floor.

Laminate floors require low maintenance in comparison to hardwood floors. But remember to place doormats at every entrance, as it will help trap dust and other abrasive materials like small stones or grit, that can scratch the surface. Also do not forget to place floor protectors or pads under the legs of your furniture, to avoid scratches and also do not walk over the floor with high heeled shoes. These are some of the general precautions not only for laminate flooring but for hardwood and bamboo flooring as well, as they will help your floor retain that fresh and new look for several years. In addition to all these, always follow the instructions given in the manufacturers' care and maintenance manual.