Flooring Installation & Care Laminate Flooring Laminate flooring is easy to clean and care for. Built to stand up to wear and abrasion, it also exhibits the beauty and shine of hardwood flooring, without the requirement of regular waxing and polishing. The best ways to clean laminate flooring involve a vacuum cleaner, a dry mop, and/or a damp towel for difficult spills. Dirt is the primary enemy of laminate flooring and leads to fine scratches that can make the floor look dull and used. The best way to clean laminate floors is to use ammonia and water, or vinegar or any other window cleaning product. First sweep or vacuum up loose dirt, then mist the floor with your cleaner and a mop. Later, buff it up using a terry cloth towel. Microfiber pads are also quite effective and help you avoid cleaning fluids. Also, check the manufacturer’s recommendation for cleaning procedures. Some of them make their own laminate floor cleaners. Here are some helpful tips to keep your laminate flooring as good as new:

Use a vacuum cleaner with a soft flooring attachment, a broom, a slightly damp cloth or mop to remove dirt, grit and debris. Add glides or cushion protectors under chairs and table legs to prevent possible scratching. Put floor mats and foot brushes at all outside doorway entrances to keep away dirt. Damp mop using warm water for a better evaporation rate. When mopping, change water as necessary to keep clean. While damp mopping, avoid any standing fluids on the floor – including your pet’s water bowl. Do not saturate the floor and wipe up spills immediately. Do not use floor polish or wax products. This leaves a film on the floor and causes it to attract more dirt and leave streaks and footprints. Avoid soap-based and abrasive cleaners, scouring powder, citrus oil products and steel wool as they affect the floor’s décor layer and damage the finish. Never sand, lacquer, or refinish your laminate flooring surfaces. Cleaning spots on laminate flooring can be a bit tricky.

Here are some tips on spot cleaning: To remove oil, paint, permanent marker, tar and rubber heel marks, use a neutral cleaner on a clean light colored cloth. Alcohol or a nail polish remover containing acetone can also be used. To remove blood, juice, wine, beer, soda pop and pasta sauce stains; warm water can be used. If needed use a neutral cleaner with a light colored cloth.air duct cleaning jobs To remove candle wax or chewing gum, first harden with ice and then scrape very gently. vacuum cleaner prices pakistanWipe the rest with warm water and a clean cloth.best vacuum cleaner reviews canisterLaminate floors require a special kind of maintenance to keep them gleaming. a/c duct cleaning brush

To get yours to pass the Risky Business white-sock test, follow these easy tips. • Wipe up wet spills immediately. Water + Laminate = Disaster • Place mats under your furry friend’s water bowl and consider a mat under your baby’s high chair. • Don’t use anything that promotes a shine. These cause waxy buildup that is very difficult to remove. • Avoid pine scented cleaners. how much does whole house air duct cleaning costThese cleaners leave a dull, soapy residue.best steam for cleaning couches • Steer clear of Murphy’s Oil. It leaves major streaks on laminate. • Vinegar is widely debated. It’s acidic which isn’t the best for your laminate surface, but many people swear by a little bit of vinegar and a lot of hot water to cut pet grime.

Used in abundance, though, it can remove the protective seal on your floors. • Traditional wet mopping is a no-no! • No stiletto heels on laminate. Pop those foxy shoes on at your front door on your way out! • Trim pet nails. The mad dash to bark at the mailman can scrape off the protective layer on your laminate, allowing water to intrude at cleaning time. • For the same reason, place furniture pads under all table and chair legs.A soft-bristle broom can get up most of the pet hair, dust and dirt that collects on your floor. • To grab the hard-to-reach dust in the corners of your rooms, use a soft-brush attachment on your vacuum. • Use a damp mop: This means less water has the chance to seep in between your laminate seams. Use very hot water and a few drops of dish soap. Some products that work well are Bruce and Bona. • Use a steam mop occasionally for a very deep clean. Not daily, though, because the repeated use of steam can cause the laminate to buckle.

• You can use a window cleaner occasionally for spills but don’t over use ammonia, which can strip protective sealant.Laminate flooring is one of the most popular types in use today. The mixture of affordability, performance, and aesthetics combine for a very appealing product. They're, also, known to be durable and tough to stain, but it gets dirty just like any other surface. Though easy to care for, laminate floors need to be cleaned regularly in order to prevent scratches or warping, but using harsh cleansers can create streaks or damage your flooring. The chemicals used in these solutions can, also, harm your family. There are many ways to clean green and still achieve quality results. Continue reading for tips about how to clean laminate floors from the Green Clean Certified® experts at Maid Brigade. Most of us will turn to a broom as the first and most readily available option to clean our floors. Though fairly scratch-resistant, excess dirt, hair, and debris can cause abrasions in laminate flooring if allowed to collect over time.

Regular sweeping, for example, can prevent such scarring. Dry dust mops work well as do the soft brush attachment on vacuum cleaners. For the best results, always move in the direction the tiles were laid to remove any debris from the grooves. Note: Do not use a standard broom to sweep. The stiff, straw-like bristles on the brush could damage the surface. To prevent liquid damage, clean spills immediately using a cloth or sponge. Never allow liquids, even water, to sit on the floor for prolonged periods as they can stain or damage the protective layer. - Hot Water - A thorough cleaning should be performed periodically or after the floor has become noticeably dirty. Hot water is considered by some as one of the best ways to clean laminate flooring since it will not leave streaks (when applied correctly). It is, also, less likely to damage the protective coating since water is a very mild cleanser. There are situations, though, where even water is discouraged. If wood, for example, is used in the flooring’s construction, even the mildest of liquids can cause irreparable damage.

Consult the manufacturer’s care instructions or contact them directly for detailed recommendations. Soapy water is a good choice when cleaning laminate floors that have been exposed to tough and messy conditions. To preserve the protective layer of the laminate flooring, look for gentle soaps when cleaning. Do not use abrasive cleaners like bleach or other strong chemicals. Start with something that has a more gentle touch like baby shampoo. If this doesn’t work, then it’s time to evaluate stronger options. (Be careful when experimenting!) For example, do not use a scented or dyed dish detergent as these are increasingly likely to streak or damage your laminate flooring. Vinegar is a versatile, natural solution that serves many purposes. As a DIY-er, there are many jobs where it is a viable alternative to harmful commercial cleaning solutions. It is, however, acidic and may not be appropriate for all flooring. Just like any other project, be sure to conduct proper research and consult the manufacturer prior to beginning.

As the saying goes, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”. Don’t wait for your laminate floor to become dirty or damaged before taking action to maintain them. Consider preventative measures such as: No matter the measures we take, something is bound to slip past our carefully planned defenses and a stain will undoubtedly appear on our beautiful laminate floor. Did you know that ice can be used to clean? Take a piece of ice to harden substances like wax or chewing gum and then gently scrape them up using a flat ended tool. Be careful not to scratch the surface and wipe the area clean with a soft, slightly damp cloth. If it’s a really stubborn one, try carefully removing it with acetone-based fingernail polish remover. If you just can’t find the time to apply these tips on how to clean laminate flooring, call your local Maid Brigade today, and let’s discuss how we can customize a cleaning for your individual needs. Complete our Quick, Easy, No Obligation Estimate Form or call us today at (866) 800-7470 for more information.