Laminate flooring is often used in high-traffic areas, such as in homes and commercial buildings. Although it is easy to install and maintain, it is sensitive to dirt and stains. So naturally, the question arises, what to use for laminated floor cleaning?
It is hard-wearing and low-maintenance flooring that can last for decades, making it an excellent choice for any home. Laminated flooring comprises a number of layers. This modern flooring type is made from a thin sheet of polycarbonate plastic held together with a thin layer of silicone. The top layer is a material that is resistant to stains and scratches.
However, regular cleaning and maintenance are essential for the long-term use of these floors. Here I will discuss laminate floor cleaning solutions based on my prolonged experience. So, let’s start:
6 Things Used For Laminate Floor Cleaning: All Are Practically Proven
Many people prefer to use laminate flooring in their home, but it does require regular cleaning to keep it looking and performing great. Some people use harsh chemicals, which can damage the finish and dull the appearance of their floors. Others prefer the convenience of using laminate floor cleaning products that are designed for the material, but these may be expensive and may not be necessary.
Below, we will describe some of the simplest materials for cleaning these types of floors and the best way to use them. These are very easy to use and will work great.
1. Dry Mop:
Using a dry mop for cleaning the laminate floor is doubtless the safest. By using it regularly, you can easily protect your floor from scratches and surface damage. Here, it is most reasonable to choose a wide microfiber broom head.
If the broom head is wide enough, it will collect and trap daily dirt tracked across the floor. The heads of microfiber brooms can be cleaned repeatedly and are reusable. These are easy to make and quite effective.
Dry mopping is an important step before cleaning deep stains. This removes the dirt particles from the floor beforehand. Otherwise, the debris is likely to damage the laminate floor by acting like sandpaper between the rags and the surface.
2. Hot Water:
Laminate floors gradually become dirty because of continuous use for several months. So sometimes it is better to wash them thoroughly in hot water. One of the best ways to clean a laminate floor is to use hot water, as this will not leave lines. How water is less reasonable to damage the protective coating of the laminate, as water is the lightest cleaner.
You do not require steam-hot water, only a little warm. Take a bucket of hot water and soak a sponge mop in it. Sponge mops are more useful because their saturation levels are easier to control. But you can also use traditional-style mops if you want.
Wrung the sponge mop so that it is only somewhat damp. Now thoroughly mop the entire floor. Give a good mopping from the center of the house to the outside. However, it is important to avoid working from the outside towards the center, as this will require you to walk across the freshly cleaned floor to get out of the house.
Since the mop is only slightly damp, you may need to wet and wring it again during the cleaning process. Make sure that you leave no part of the floor out or excess water accumulates anywhere.
Now you leave the floor to air dry. Or you can wipe the floor with a clean, dry microfiber cloth. However, never use an abrasive cloth, as this can scratch the floor. Also, make sure that the water holes do not sit for a long time.
3. Vacuum:
Vacuum cleaners are most frequently used to clean dust or debris on the floor. It is easy to use and can be cleaned in a brief time. You can also use a vacuum cleaner to clean laminate floors. It is too safe and effective.
There is no substitute for a vacuum cleaner to clean dirt, especially from places where brooms do not reach. It will help you clean the dust and dirt in different corners of the floor, or under the furniture. Many vacuum products are available with the necessary attachments, which help clean hard surfaces, such as laminate floors.
A microfiber pad attached straight to the back of the vacuum head can easily remove dust and any particles missed by vacuum suction. Robotic vacuums are also great for laminate surfaces and are specially designed to withstand a lot of manual cleaning.
4. Gentle Soaps:
Gentle soap can effectively clean laminate floors without damaging them. Here, you can use a mild detergent or baby shampoo. Clean the floor by adding these to mildly hot water.
In a bucket, add about 1 gallon of warm water and mix well with 2 tablespoons baby shampoo or mild liquid dish detergent. Avoid using scented or colored dish detergents, as they often create lines and can even damage the laminate. Baby shampoo is mild enough, but ordinary adult shampoo is not suitable for laminate floor cleaning.
Keep mixing soap and water by hand until the soap dissolves and bubbles form. Soak a broom in this solution and mop the entire floor well. When mopping, wring the broom properly so that it is slightly wet. Soap water is the best choice when cleaning floors exposed to mud, salt-covered snow boots, or other contaminants.
You can use a microfiber cloth if you wish. However, mops are desirable because they cover a lot of space at once and work quickly. Start from one side of the room and cover your entire floor and work your way to the other side.
Do not use strong chemicals such as bleach or any of these ingredients, as they can damage the laminate floor. Laminate floors can often be deformed because of excess water. So wring the mop well every time you use it so that it stays slightly moist.
5. Vinegar:
Thin vinegar is very effective for cleaning laminate floors that have faded or faded because of mud or other stains. Because vinegar is relatively abrasive, you have to mix it with water, not in pure form. Fill the rest of the bottle with water with 60 ml white vinegar in a 1000 ml spray bottle and shake well to make a solution.
You can make a similar solution by mixing 3 squirts of liquid dish detergent and 1 gallon of warm water with 1/3 cup vinegar for laminate floor cleaning. Spray the solution a little at a time on the floor. After spraying, clean the area with a damp mop or cloth.
Do not spray the entire floor with this vinegar solution. This is because, if it is too late to clean after spraying the entire floor at once, it can damage the protective coating of the laminate floor. Try to spray one square foot of space at a time.
Once cleaned, allow the floor to air dry well. With a small amount of water left, you can allow your laminate to dry without fear of damage.
6. Homemade Cleaners:
Laminate often fades to the surface of floors because of the use of incorrect soaps and oil-based cleaning agents. To solve this problem, you can make your own specific formulation cleaning agent. These will keep your floor perfectly clean and shiny.
In a spray bottle, add 1/2 cup of rubbing alcohol and the same amount of white vinegar with 1/2 cup of water and mix well to make a solution. Spray the solution on the floor in a thin layer and make sure that the feet do not fall on it. Here, it is better to work in small parts.
Then clean from the inner edge to the door and finally the outside. Do not apply excessive amounts of solution, which can make the floor too wet. It is better not to use buckets and mops, as this can spread the excess liquid on the floor. Gently wipe the floor using a mop made of a flat-headed microfiber.
Leave the floor to air dry for about 30 minutes before using the room. Try to avoid putting your feet on the wet floor. Do not forget to buff well the laminate floor with a dry microfiber cloth. It will quickly restore the gloss.
Avoid using sponges, as using these sponges can leave stains on the floor after drying. Work systematically on small parts of the floor and make sure you have removed the moped space. Using this solution is one of the best ways to brighten laminate wood floors.
What You Should Avoid While Cleaning The Laminate Floor?
Laminate flooring is a popular and practical form of hardwood flooring. We often use it in areas of the home where more traditional hardwood floors would be too costly or impractical, such as the kitchen or bathroom. However, there are several things to consider when cleaning these floors to keep them charming and shiny, which are described below.
- Always avoid using steam cleaners. By using these, heat and humidity can affect the adhesive layers of the floor. This can quickly ruin the floor.
- Use a microfiber dry mop. Many use a Bristle broom to clean the floor, which often leaves particles behind. And these particles can contribute to surface wear.
- Do not soak the floor too long with a drippy mop.
- Avoid products that promote glossy surfaces. Most of the time, the wax formation becomes quite difficult to remove.
- Avoid using wood cleansers like Murphy Oil Soap. This will make the floor look streaky.
- Although vinegar is a popular material for laminate floor cleaning, it can damage the surface if used in high concentrations because of its acidity.
- Never use scratchy sponges or steel wool abrasive scrubbers. Even use of baking soda and rubbing aggressively can damage the laminate floor.
Related Questions:
Why Does Your Laminate Floor Look Faded Or Cloudy?
There are two main reasons your laminate floor may look dull or cloudy: lack of regular maintenance and use of excessive cleaning products.
Without regular maintenance, dust or debris will accumulate on the floor, which will cause the laminate floor to be damaged and fade quickly because of walking on it. Besides, the use of excessive cleaning products, especially hard cleaning products, can damage the floor and create a cloudy film over it.
What Natural Cleaner Can You Use To Clean Laminate Floors?
You can prepare a homemade cleaning agent by mixing white vinegar and rubbing alcohol in water to clean the laminate floor. This spray solution will make your floor clean and shiny with no damage.
I have discussed in detail above how to prepare and use this solution. Please read on.
How Often Do You Require To Clean Laminate Floors?
Laminate floors need to be cleaned regularly in high-traffic areas, as manufacturers recommend. This removes fine dirt and grit and holds the charm of the floor intact. But how often do you require cleaning the laminate floor?
Best practice: Sweep laminate floors and remove dust at least once a day, as well as a vacuum at least once a week. Finally, mop the floor well with a damp mop using a standard cleaner once a month.
Can You Use Vinegar For Cleaning Laminate Floors?
You can use vinegar for cleaning your laminate floors. It is safe enough and thin vinegar is a proven ingredient for laminate floor cleaning. However, you need to mix it with water and make it light. Because of the relatively abrasive properties of vinegar, its use in pure form can be harmful to the floor.
However, using vinegar properly, you can effectively clean your laminate floor, which I discussed in detail above.
Tips To Keep The Laminate Floor Shiny:
Keeping the laminate floor shiny for a long time can be quite challenging for many. As important as it is to know how to keep the floor shiny, you need to make some habits for it. Such as-
- Regularly vacuum or sweep to remove dust and dirt that contaminates the floor. Usually, an active home will be dirty every day for the movement of its occupants and various activities. If you have children or pets at home, you need to be extra careful.
- Clean laminate floors using the right cleaning solution and microfiber mop. This is the most effective way to shine biologically and prevent dullness.
- Laminate floors are never 100% water-resistant. So if there is any spillage of liquid, remove it quickly and try to prevent such problems. This is because frequent wetting can cause the laminate floor to lose its luster.
- Use a soft dry mop to wipe off spilled liquid and use a towel or spoon to pick up wet hard foods or something like that.
- Be sure to use a dust trap mat at the entrance to the house, which can control mud, dust, dirt, and debris entering the house. This is because the dust or debris can cause scratches on the floor by stepping on it.
- Never use abrasive cleaning pads to clean the floor. These create the most scratches on the laminate floor.
- Using a steam cleaner can quickly destroy or erode laminate flooring. So never use these.
A shiny floor causes our peace of mind. You build the above habits to keep your laminate floor shiny and beautiful for a long time.
Final Verdict:
Laminate flooring is a superb choice because it is affordable and still provides the durability and aesthetic appeal of traditional flooring. But when using the wrong materials to clean, the shiny finish of these floors fades faster. So it is important to know what to use for laminate floor cleaning properly.
In this article, I have discussed the use of cleaning materials that will keep your laminate floors unchanged for a long time. Hope this article helps you.
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