Laminate floors have become a very popular substitute for hardwood. This is because, in most cases, the laminate is less expensive, and in many cases, more durable. Even though laminate is a viable substitute for hardwood, the maintenance, and cleaning of the two are entirely different. Unlike hardwood, the laminate cannot to be refinished to get rid of stains and damage. In order to avoid costly repairs to your laminate flooring, it is paramount that you take good care of them. Below are some guidelines to consider when cleaning your laminate floors.

Refer to Manufacturer’s Cleaning Instructions

Not all laminate flooring is created equal. Because there are various different levels of quality, referring to the manufacturer’s cleaning and maintenance instructions is essential. Depending on how the flooring is made and who it is made by, the manufacturer will have very detailed recommendations on what products to use for cleaning. If you have discarded the original paperwork that came with your flooring, most manufacturers have cleaning instructions online.

Address Spills Immediately

While this may seem commonsensical, the best way to keep your laminate flooring stain free is to clean spills as soon as you notice them. Fluids and moisture can wreak havoc on laminate floors if not cleaned up immediately. For this reason, it is important to minimize the amount of time any liquids are left on laminate flooring.

Softer Cleaning Tools Should be Used

Like hardwood, laminate floors can become scratched. To ensure this doesn’t happen you’ll want to use a soft-bristle broom or dust mop to sweep the floor. It is suggested that you do not vacuum laminate flooring as the beater bar or rotating brush can scratch the surface of the laminate flooring.

Too Much Water can Damage Laminate Flooring

While we discussed this previously, using a traditional mop and water is not a good way to clean laminate floors. As we mentioned before, the water can get between the seams of the flooring, and over time create damage. For this reason, it is best to use a damp microfiber or laminate specific mop to clean the floor.

Beware of Traditional Cleaning Products

Some manufacturers make their own laminate flooring cleaning products. These products have been specially formulated to clean the manufacturer’s floors so, if you are going to use a cleaning product, use these first but refer to the cleaning instructions before doing so. Traditional cleaning products can damage the protective sealant on laminate flooring. Additionally, you should never use wax or polish on laminate floors.

Use Natural Cleaning Products

Chances are, your grandmother had the perfect solution for handling tough stains. Some of these “natural” cleaning products can be used to keep your laminate flooring in great condition. For example, use a plastic bag filled with ice to remove chewing gum. To remove candle wax, use a plastic knife, scraper or credit card once it has become hard. For paint, ink, nail polish and crayon, use a small amount of rubbing alcohol on a cotton ball to remove the stain.

Surface Protection

High-heeled shoes, cleats or any other shoes that may mar the surface should not be worn in laminate flooring. To alleviate scratches from furniture, use pads under the legs. Using rugs will also protect your laminate floors, especially in high traffic areas. By entrances, to prevent excessive wear and tear make sure there are mats where guests can wipe the bottom of their shoe.

With a little attention, laminate floors can last a long time. If you have specific questions regarding cleaning your laminate floors, please feel free to call our flooring professionals here at Majestic Floor Covering at 336-824-1599 or visit our website at www.majesticflooringnc.com. As we like to say here at Majestic, “if you take care of your floors, your floors will take care of you.”