Laminate floors are popular and add style to any home, depending on how you design it! However, they are a bit confusing to clean, since they’re far different from the typical floor materials. But don’t worry, it isn’t that tough to clean out stains or do your regular house cleaning.
All you need is the right tools and knowledge on how to clean laminate floors properly. So read on as I show you helpful tips on how to clean laminate floors and remove any pesky stains and whatnot!
How to Clean Laminate Floors Well
To clean your laminate floors well, you have to learn some important things about them. Here are the four main things to know and follow to keep those floors spotless:
- General Cleaning Tips
What is the best way to clean your laminate floors? There are various methods you’ll need to follow:
Vacuum
Use a canister vacuum regularly, sucking up any dirt and debris around, especially in the cracks and crevices. Do this once a week or every few days.
I highly recommend that you invest in canister vacuums with different attachments ad suction seals to help pick up all dirt. Also, switch off the rotating brush to prevent its bristles from scratching the floors and even scattering dirt.
Damp-Mop
For a more thorough deep cleaning, clean your floors with a damp mop once a month. This is best for kitchens and rooms that experience a lot of foot traffic.
Use a mop with a washable and reusable microfiber head, or you can also use disposable pads. Spray a laminate floor cleaner, but only sparingly to avoid oversaturating the floor. Wipe the areas with your mop.
NEVER polish or wax your laminate floors, skipping any abrasive cleaners, steel wool, and/or scouring powder. These can scratch and damage your floor and its finishes.
- Can You Steam Mop Laminate Floors?
Surely, some of us have thought of using steam mops or wiping our floors down with water to remove stains and give it a deeper cleaning. However, experts advise against this, with manufacturers cautioning against such mops. In fact, using steam mops may void any warranty granted!
Steam mops may seem safe, but you need to check with your floors’ care guidelines. While laminate floors today are resistant to spills and moisture compared to before, the steam may cause warping and further damage.
What you CAN use are disposable wet cleaning pads, but only for cleaning small areas quickly. You can also use battery-operated cleaning sprays for large areas and wipe them off with a dry cloth. It doesn’t risk damaging the floors and still cleans any extra stains you may have missed.
- How to Care and Maintain Laminate Floors
There is more to cleaning your floors than mopping or vacuuming it. You also need to care and maintain it with safety precautions. This prevents further staining and wearing out the floors too early.
Here are extra tips to follow to prevent stains, marks, and to keep our floors looking new:
- Consider using entry mats before people enter the room, which collects any dirt and substances. This prevents any tracking on the floors
- Install floor protectors to minimize the risk of your floors indenting
- To minimize the natural contraction and expansion of wooden floors, make sure that the room has a relative humidity between 35-65% all year round
- If you live in a hot and dry area, use a humidifier to prevent shrinkage of wood. For wet seasons, use a dehumidifier or air conditioner, turning on your heater periodically
- Do NOT expose your floors to too much water and dry your feet before stepping on it
- Don’t slide heavy objects across the floor and use protective mats for chairs and furniture with castors
- Trim your pets’ nails regularly to prevent them from scratching the floor
- Avoid spills at all times by keeping liquids in safe areas
- What to Use When Removing Stains
I know how irritating it is to deal with stains, but don’t worry. You don’t have to clean the entire floor to get rid of it, it’s possible to spot-clean! However, you can’t just use ANY type of cleaner, depending on the type of stain it is and the intensity of its colors.
To prevent permanent staining and get that shine back on those floors, use these materials on such stains:
- Remove blood using a window cleaner and wipe it off with a damp cloth. Mop then wipe it dry with a dry cloth.
- With candle wax, allow it to harden before scraping it off carefully, using plastic knives.
- Remove chewing gum by freezing it with a bag of ice, then scrape it with plastic knives.
- If you have breast and tar stains, you can remove it using mineral spirits.
- For show scuff marks, rub it with pencil erasers to remove them.
- Shoe polish, ink, or crayon stains can be removed with rubbing alcohol,
- Nail polish can be removed with nail polish removers or rubbing alcohol,
- With red wine, simply wipe it off using a damp cloth.
Wrapping It Up
I hope that my tips on how to clean laminate floors helped you learn about keeping important parts of your home squeaky clean. So begin looking into any of these tips and get a head start to spring cleaning now.
Do you have any questions or want to share your tips on cleaning laminate floors? Share it in the comments section below, all your thoughts are much appreciated.
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
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