Cleaning Laminate Flooring, Do's and Don'ts

Cleaning laminate flooring is easy to do when you understand what product is good for your floors and knowing the dos and don't s to look out for. Tired of pushing that vacuum cleaner that seems to produce more dust. With the proper cleaning of you laminate floors they will look like brand new for years to come, they do need to be cared for like any other flooring.

Laminate flooring and liquid just do not get along. I tell my clients to use as little cleaning solution as possible when cleaning laminate flooring. Wipe up any spills immediately. Do not wet mop the laminate. Do not get the laminate floors dripping wet. This will cause the joints to swell and the laminate will separate.

Its best to spray the cleaning solution onto the Swiffer or dry mop and then clean. Using the proper cleaner is key also. There are a lot of laminate floor cleaning products on the market that can be used for most laminates. Its best to check with the manufacturer of your product to make sure you don't void your warranty by using the wrong cleaner.

Try to experiment with different types of cleaners and see which one gives you the best results.

Do not use waxes or polishes and never use pledge as this will result in a very slippery surface.

Do not use any type of cleaners that are abrasive. This can leave the surface dull looking.

Do not use cleaners that contain soap products.

Protecting Your Laminate Floors

Sand can be harsh on laminate floors also. It can act like sandpaper when walked on. Keeping the floor swept on a regular basis is recommended. Putting throw rugs at entry areas is good to catch any dirt or moisture that may be tracked in. Use throw rugs that have some kind of rubberized backing to keep them from sliding. Or you can purchase a separate rubber pad to put under rugs if needed.

Protecting your laminate with felt pads on furniture will eliminate scratches from sliding furniture. Large furniture is difficult to move on a carpet, putting the felt pads on heavy furniture makes it much easier when you feel like rearranging your room.

If your laminate floor happens to get severely damaged it may need to be replaced with new planks. This can be done providing you have extra planks left from the installation. If you don't have any, hopefully you can locate some.

Household Remedies

There are some household cleaners that will work also. Windex always works good for cleaning a lot of different surfaces and evaporates quickly thus not leaving any streaks. Spray the Windex onto the Swiffer or dry mop and not directly onto the laminate floors. This is an excellent product when cleaning laminate flooring.

Vinegar is another product found in most homes. Most of us have heard how good vinegar is for cleaning windows. The surface of laminate is similar to glass so you can expect the same results. Mix a ¼ cup of vinegar into a one quart spray bottle with water to make a good home made cleaning solution. Apply to your Swiffer or dry mop. Not directly to the laminate floors.

Kitchens and bathrooms

These rooms are especially pron to have more water exposure, so its good to have throw rugs placed in the areas that may get water splattered on such as in front of the sinks or bath tubs. Also in front of refrigerates that have ice and water dispensers. Watch out for the ice cubes that get away.

If you have children I know it can be hard but try to instruct them to watch out for liquids on laminate flooring.

There is an option you have when having laminate flooring installed in these areas. The laminate planks can be glued together. The glue will seal the joints and keep the liquid from penetrating the joint as quick. This may cost a little more from the installer. The only draw back to this is if the floor needs to be repaired the planks can be damaged when taken apart. In some cases there may be only one or two planks that are damaged and trying to take a glued together floor apart may damage many more. So to glue or not to glue is up to you. With the glued joints its easier when cleaning laminate flooring in the bath room or kitchen.

Candle Wax or Chewing Gum

To remove candle wax or chewing gum, first harden with some ice. To ensure that the ice does not melt and get into the joint, first put the ice in a zip lock baggie to contain any water. Next use a plastic scraper and gently scrap it up. Wipe the rest with a clean damp cloth.