Since its creation in the late 1970’s, laminate has gone from strength to strength with attractive designs, incredible durability and easy maintenance, it’s not surprising that it’s so popular amongst homeowners.
Although laminate is largely known to be highly practical and durable, it is worth paying some attention so it looks its best and you get the most out of it. Its easy maintenance makes it stand out from other flooring types, so here’s our ultimate guide on how to maintain your laminate flooring.
Sweeping and vacuuming
It’s inevitable that your laminate flooring is going to get mucky, especially if you come from a busy family household with a range of activities going on!
Although laminate doesn’t harbour any excess dust or debris, it’s best to conduct a daily sweep or vacuum to prevent the boards being scratched or stained.
It is worth being aware of what brush or vacuum attachment you use however. Hard bristles may scratch the finish, causing it to lose its shine. Try removing large bits of dirt or debris by hand, as the brush can drag it across the floor and again cause damage.
Mopping
Laminate is naturally resistant to water, however like real wood excess water can cause the boards to move and warp.
Therefore, any spills or splashes must be cleaned up as soon as possible to avoid any unattractive stains. When cleaning your laminate flooring mop as dry as possible – don’t use a steam mop, this will cause swelling. Soapy warm water is fine, but if you want to go one step further then you can buy specialist laminate floor cleaner. We’d also recommend mopping along the grain, this will reduce the appearance of streaks.
For those stubborn stains
Sometimes more drastic action is needed to remove any stains or scuff your boards. Most of us assume that if their flooring becomes stained, its irreparable – thank fully this isn’t the case with laminate, so don’t panic!
If the stain has been caused by food or beverages, start by removing any surrounding debris – do this as soon as possible to minimise any damage.
With scuff marks, thoroughly wipe the stain with a dry cloth before cleaning the stain with a microfiber mop and cleaning solution.
For oil, paint, ink or makeup, extra help is needed. Add a touch of acetone to your cloth and wipe up the residue has been removed.
