Proper Ways of Cleaning Laminate Flooring

Proper Ways of Cleaning Laminate Flooring

The best way to clean laminate floors is by sweeping daily, vacuuming and mopping weekly. While laminate flooring is less expensive and more durable than real wood flooring, it does require maintenance to retain its beauty. Unless the floor manufacturer provides different cleaning instructions, you should not use dish soap or a commercial cleaner on laminate flooring. Soaps and harsh detergents will dull the finish and may damage the protective top layer.By sweeping the floors daily, you'll prevent fine scratches from marring the surface and you'll ensure that dirt and dust won't be tracked to different areas of the house.

The best way to clean laminate floors then, is to establish a routine and stick to it.Make sure the mop is damp, not wet. Water will damage laminate flooring by warping the underlying fiberboard. Once this happens, the planks will spread and will need to be replaced.After the floor has been washed with the damp mop, make sure to dry it thoroughly with a cloth.Both brand name and store brand dry dust cloths work well. Make sure to remove any water that has accumulated in corners, between planks and under counters. The key is to remove all moisture from the floor.

Unlike linoleum or tile floors, laminate floors cannot be left to air dry.Kitchen floors in particular might require more than just water to clean. To sanitize your floors, you can use a mixture that is one-part water to one quarter vinegar. If you have a large floor, you may want to mix one quart of water with an eighth of a cup of distilled white vinegar.Pour the mixture into a spray bottle and lightly spray a small area of the floor. Only spray the area you can mop within a few strokes.Don't spray the entire floor, as you don't want water to sit on it any longer than necessary. Be sure to dry the floor thoroughly as outlined above after using the vinegar and water mixture.