How To Clean Laminate Wood Floors Without Doing Damage

Laminate wood flooring is popular all over the world, being appreciated for its versatility and the ease with which it can be installed. But, although it may seem that caring for the laminate flooring and keeping it clean is a piece of cake, you’re most likely exaggerating. There are things we fail to pay attention to which can lead to damage on our laminate flooring. To better care for it, you should take a look at these cleaning dos and don’ts.

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Clean the floor regularly

The key to preventing laminate flooring from getting scratched or warped is regular cleaning. This is also a great general advice. Sweep the floor regularly with a dry mop to remove everyday dirt and you won’t need to use harsh chemicals or cleaning products later on.

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Don’t use a standard floor brush

This may sound like an exaggeration but the stiff, straw, like bristles on the brush can actually damage the surface of you laminate wood flooring so either get a soft brush or use a dry dust mop.

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Don’t let the spills sink in

You should clean up the spills immediately. Don’t allow any liquid to sit on the floor for long period of time because they can stain the floor and damage the protective wear layer. Soak up the excess liquid with a dry cloth or paper towel and don’t allow the area to remain wet.

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Try hot water

Every once in a while, laminate floors need a thorough cleaning. Since water is the mildest cleanser possible, use that. Do this every few months in addition to regular sweeping or when you notice that an area is muddy or dirty.

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Clean with vinegar

If your laminate flooring looks dirty and has mud stains or if it starts to look faded, use a mixture of water and vinegar. Never use vinegar in its pure forms because it’s too abrasive. The solution will give the floor a shiny look and the vinegar smell will go away in a few minutes. If you hate the smell you can add a few drops of lemon, peppermint or essential oil in the mixture.

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Clean stubborn stains with alcohol or acetone

For more difficult stains such as ink, crayon, nail polish or shoe polish, you can also rub the stained area with alcohol. You can also try to make a mixture of alcohol and water to avoid damaging the wood. Another option is to use acetone or nail polish remover on a clean white cloth. Wipe the area to remove any remaining residue.

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Remove sticky stains with ice

In case you notice stains caused by wax or chewing gum which are notoriously difficult to get rid of, harden the spot with ice and gently scrape. Be careful not to scratch the floor. Ice can also be used to remove gum from carpets.{found on capital-building}.

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Never use a polishing machine

Buffing or polishing machines should never be used on laminate floors. They will completely damage the floor and you’ll be forced to replace it. These machines are only to be used on hardwood floors.{found on tourfactory}.

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Don’t use abrasive cleaners

Any type of abrasive cleaners should be avoided. They can cause permanent damage to the laminate floors. Also, stay away from steel wool or harsh brushes which can scratch the floor and leave marks.{found on lintonarchitects}.

Timber furniture kitchen wood flooring

Clean with baby shampoo

Instead of using dish detergent or any types of cleaners, try baby shampoo. It’s very gentle and you can safely use it to clean your laminate floors. Mix the shampoo and water until bubbles begin to form and, soak a sponge mop in the solution and make sure it only remains mildly damp.{found on gibeonphotography}.