Laminate floors are versatile, environmentally friendly and easy to install. The flooring is available in an impressive range of styles that mimic the look of wood. Laminate is a good choice for almost all living spaces. It is durable and easy to clean. After you've installed your new flooring, you may be wondering how to best care for it so it lasts. Once your laminate flooring is installed and looking fabulous, there are a lot of things you can do to keep it that way. The really good news is that laminate floors are relatively easy to maintain. We will explain to you what the right laminate care is!
Clean and care for laminate properly
Over time, your laminate floor will accumulate dirt and dust and it is inevitable that it will lose some of its original shine. But don’t worry – you don’t have to leave your floor dull and dirty. It is possible to restore shine. Before youstart cleaning, you should read the manufacturer's instructions for your floor. The brand may make specific recommendations depending on the material used. Most companies have detailed product instructions and advice on cleaning laminate floors on their websites.
Laminate care – treat stains immediately
Take care of any spills immediately. The best way to avoid stains is to wipe up spills immediately. Liquids can damage laminate floors, so it is important to minimize contact with them.
Care products for laminate: Do not use abrasive tools
Laminate floors can scratch, so you should not use abrasive cleaners. Use a soft-bristled broom or mop to wipe up spills. When vacuuming, make sure you use an attachment without a beater bar or rotating brush, as these could scratch the surface.
Laminate care and cleaning – do not use too much water
Conventional mopping is taboo for laminate floors as the water can penetrate the seams and cause damage (such as swelling or bubbling). Puddles of water can also cause staining or fading.
Get laminate flooring shiny again with home remedies – DIY cleaner
- With dishwashing liquid
You can make your own floor cleaner right at home. For regular cleaning, simply mix a teaspoon of clear, unscented dishwashing liquid with 4 liters of hot water.
- With vinegar
If a light coating or waxy layer has formed on your floor (which happens over time when the wrong cleaning products are used), you can mix 4 liters of hot water with 250 ml of white vinegar instead. Vinegar,a natural cleaning agent, removes the covering without attacking the laminate surface. If mopping doesn't work, use the mixture on a damp cloth and scrub the floor in sections and intensively.
Tipp:The same rules regarding water apply to both solutions. Make sure your mop is only slightly damp and do not leave any water on the floor.
Laminate care – avoid scratches
For stubborn stains like candle wax or ink, you have the best cleaning methods at your fingertips. Place a plastic bag of ice on gum or candle wax and remove with a plastic knife, putty knife, or credit card once it has hardened. Paint, ink, nail polish and crayonscan be removed with rubbing alcohol.
Laminate floor sealing with oil or wax
Consider the following tips:
Tip #1:Avoid oil-based cleaners and products designed for cleaning hardwood floors, cabinets, and furniture. They can leave streaks that can no longer be removed.
Tip #2:Never wax or polish your laminate floors. Avoid using wax and polish! Laminate floors are naturally shiny. Wax and polish are therefore unnecessary and can even cause your floor to lose its shine. Wax and most polishes do not work well on laminate. Instead of your floorextra shineThey make it sticky and cause dirt particles to stick to the surface of the floor.
Protect laminate
Most laminate floors are very durable and hold up well to everyday use, but the surface can still be scratched. Some hardware stores offer laminate repair kits, but prevention is much better than having to deal with scratches:
- To avoid damage, do not push or pull furniture around on the laminate.
- Lift any furniture that needs to be moved.
- Use self-adhesive felt pads on chairs and table legs to prevent scratches and dents.
- Take off your shoes before stepping on the laminate floor. Small stones can get stuck in your shoes and scratch your floor.
- A doormat can also help.
Ideal environmental conditions for laminate floors
The best environmental conditions for laminate are a temperature of 18° to 22°C and a relative humidity of 40 to 60%. A little more or less is not a problem - these values fluctuate naturally anyway. However, if the relative humidity is permanently significantly higher or lower, we recommend purchasing a dehumidifier or humidifier.
You might also be interested in: “REMOVE CHEWING GUM FROM CLOTHES: TRY COMMON METHODS AND TRICKS FOR SET STAINS!“
