What Are the Best Steps to Take When Cleaning Laminate Floors?
One of the reasons homeowners choose laminate floors is that it’s durable, beautiful and very easy to clean. However, that doesn’t mean that there aren’t certain steps you should take to make sure that your floors stay clean and last as long as they should. Laminate requires a different kind of cleaning regimen than other types of flooring. Follow these simple instructions to keep your floors glowing.
Banish the Dirt
A few preventative steps will go a long way to keeping floors clean. Keep a welcome mat by the door, and ask family members and guest to leave muddy shoes outside. Spend a few dollars on felt pads to stick on the feet of furniture. And keeping your pet’s nails trimmed is more than just good grooming – it can prevent tiny nicks and scratches from eroding the surface of the laminate over time.
Sweep or Vacuum
The best way to keep any floor clean and extend its life is to remove dirt and dust regularly. Tiny particles of dirt on the floor will move around under your feet, leaving tiny scratches. Over time, the surface of the laminate will begin to look dull and worn out. When you are able, sweep once a day, especially in high traffic areas. If you prefer something faster, you might vacuum instead, but be sure to only use the hard floor setting or attachment, never a rotary beater that might scratch the surface of the laminate.
Mind your Mops
Did you know not every mop should be used on laminate? Popular sponge mops and string mops both carry a large load of water, which will actually damage your laminate flooring. Once moisture seeps in between the planks into the core board, your floor will warp and bubble. The best choice is a soft cotton or microfiber mop, damp rag, or Swiffer, which all clean dirt without leaving too much water behind. If you can see pools of water on the floor, your mop is oversaturated.
You should also consider dust mopping your floor in addition to sweeping. It’s a great way to pick up every last bit of that gritty dust on the floors, without using water. Your floors stay cleaner for longer, without being exposed to any moisture at all. And remember, avoid steam mops altogether. They might be a wonderful way to clean your tile surfaces, but steam mops force water in between the laminate boards.
Choose a Cleaning Solution
Not every cleaning solution is formulated for laminate flooring, so be sure to read the bottle. Some popular brands, like Method, Swiffer, and Armstrong make wood and laminate cleaners that are available for purchase at your local hardware store. Some are organic and non-toxic, safe for pets and small children. All will come with proper usage instructions printed on the label.
You can also make an inexpensive DIY cleaner at home, following our recipe:
- 1 cup distilled water
- 1/3 cup vinegar
- 1/3 cup rubbing alcohol
- 3-5 drops of dishwashing soap
- 6-8 drops citrus essential oil (optional)
Just spray a light coating of the cleaner on the laminate, allow it to sit a few minutes, then wipe off with a damp mop or rag.
Keep Your HVAC System Clear
Have you noticed dust blowing from your heating vents? Your HVAC system can carry dirt, dander, and other contaminates through the house. Maybe you notice that the floor around the grates is becoming noticeably dirtier, as the blown air leaves a ring of grime. There’s few things more frustrating than seeing your hard work undone. Keeping your air ducts clean will also keep all the other surfaces in your house sparkling.
Contact Modernistic today to set your air duct cleaning appointment, and make sure that your whole house is working as hard as you are to keep your floors clean.
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