Cleaning your laminate flooring can be difficult, but you can easily clean it with the right tools and techniques. There are different ways to clean laminate flooring. It is important to know the best way to take care of your laminate floors so that they last longer.
Laminate flooring has been increasing in popularity due to its durability, ease of installation, and maintenance. Previously, we addressed the most delicate broom and mop for laminate flooring, but today, we will discuss how to clean laminate flooring.
This post will provide you with the best way to clean laminate flooring at home so that you can preserve and enhance the look of your laminate floors.
What is laminating floor?
Before discussing the best way to clean laminate flooring, it is better if we know first what type of floors are laminating ones? Laminating flooring is one kind of engineered wood floor that has a high-density fiberboard as its core. These cores will be covered with a layer of decorative paper or plastic called the wear layer.
Before you clean your laminate flooring, it will be better if you know how to differentiate laminate floors from other types of flooring so you can clean them better.
What is the best way to clean laminate flooring?
Generally, laminate flooring is not as hard as other types of wood floors. They also need much less maintenance and much lighter cleaning methods. However, you still have to make sure that you will take good care of your laminate floor because it needs much attention from you.
If your laminate floor only has a small amount of dirt, then you just need a dry mop to clean it. However, if your laminate floor is filthy, you can use dry vacuuming first before wet mopping.
When cleaning your laminate flooring, don’t use too much water or soap because it can make the wood swell and loose its durability. Your vacuum cleaner also should not be used too often to clean the dirt on the floor because this may scratch your laminate floors. After you are done with vacuuming, make sure that you have already dried the floor with your dry cloth.
If your laminate floors include under-floor heating, you have to be extra careful with the heated water. Thus, it will be better to use cold water when cleaning these floors instead of hot or warm water.
Best Way to Clean between crevices and grooves of Laminate Floor
To clean the crevices and grooves of laminate flooring, you can use a dry paintbrush with stiff bristles. This paintbrush will be able to get inside the crevices and other tight areas of your flooring.
After that, you can use either of the following methods depending on the condition of your flooring.
What is the best cleaning product for laminate floors?
Generally, people with laminate flooring are comfortable using a damp microfiber mop or a wet Swiffer sweeper to clean their floors. However, before using any of them, you have to check the label first to ensure that it is safe to use on your laminate flooring.
When you use a damp mop, make sure that you will wring it first, so the water is not dripping on your floor. Make sure that you don’t use a bucket with soap because this will make the wood swell.
What is the best cleaner for laminate flooring?
A few types of commercial cleaners are said to be safe for cleaning laminate floors. However, before you decide to use any of those cleaners, you need first to do a patch test.
This is needed so you can be sure if the cleaner that you want to use is safe for your laminate flooring or not. If some parts of your floor become too sticky or start bubbling, then the cleaner you used is not suitable for your floor.
When choosing a laminate floor cleaning solution, make sure that you choose a cleaner that has a pH of 7 or higher. This is to ensure that it can bring no harm to your laminate floors.
Here are some popular cleaner brands that are considered safe for your laminating floors:
- Black Diamond Stoneworks Wood & Laminate Floor Cleaner
- Bona Hard-Surface Floor Cleaner
- Bruce Hardwood & Laminate Floor Cleanr
- Zep Hardwood and Laminate Floor Cleaner
Can Bona hardwood cleaner be used on laminate flooring?
Yes, Bona is one of the brands that are considered safe to use on laminate flooring. This cleaner is also versatile and can be used on laminate floors and other flooring types such as hardwood, tile, vinyl, and others.
What is the best way to disinfect laminate wood flooring?
A disinfectant can be a great way to kill any germs or bacteria on the floor. Also, keep in mind that any disinfectant you employ on the floor must be safe to use on laminate flooring.
If the disinfectant has ammonia in it, then it can make your floor discolor. Thus, you will need to make sure that any disinfectant you will use does not have this chemical.
Hydrogen peroxide is a chemical that is considered safe to use when cleaning laminate flooring. This cleaner will be able to clean and kill any bacteria, germs, and other harmful microorganisms.
What is the best way to clean a laminate floor with bleach?
If your laminate flooring manufacturer allows you to use bleach, then you can mix half a cup of bleach and two gallons of water.
Now let the mixture sit on the floor for at least half an hour before you will mop it using a damp microfiber mop. After mopping the mixture, you have to wait for 10 minutes to dry out and then start mopping with a dry mop.
How often should you clean your laminate floor?
Generally, if you only own a small house or apartment with not too much traffic of people, then you can clean your laminate floor every 2 to 3 months. However, if you own a big house and there will be many people walking around on your laminating floors all day long, then you should clean the floor every week.
If you can’t clean your laminate flooring every week, then at least try to clean it every two months. This is really necessary for the health and beauty of your laminating floors.
What to avoid in Cleaning Laminate Flooring?
Here are some things that you need to avoid when it comes to cleaning your laminate flooring:
- Don’t clean the floor too often because this may damage your laminating floor.
- Don’t use your vacuum cleaner on full scale or too often to avoid scratches.
- Avoid mopping the floor with too much hot water and too often.
- Avoid walking on your laminating floors immediately after mopping because the floor will be too wet, which may damage it.
- Don’t use products that have high pH levels when cleaning your laminate floors.
When should you replace your laminating floor?
If the lifetime of your laminate floor ends and cannot be restored anymore, then you should consider replacing it. Expired laminate floors are not safe to walk on and not easy to clean.
Laminate flooring has a lifetime of about 15 to 20 years. If you experience any wear and tear on your laminating floors earlier than the expected lifetime, then it is best to replace them as soon as possible.
What can you do to make your laminate floors last longer?
If you want to make your laminate floors last longer, then here are some things that you can do:
- You should keep the temperature of the room in which your laminating floors are installed at a comfortable level. If there is an air conditioner, then the temperature should not exceed more than 65 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Make sure that you install your laminating floors in a room with enough humidity and made from materials that don’t absorb too much moisture.
- Avoid placing any direct heating sources such as a radiator underneath the laminate flooring because it may harm the floor.
- Avoid spilling any hot liquids onto your laminating floors because this can damage them.
Conclusion
By now, you know the best way to clean your laminate flooring. So, make sure to follow all of these tips and tricks to prevent any damage to your laminating floors.
Remember to use only products that are considered safe for laminate floors when cleaning them to last longer.