How to clean laminate floors

LAMINATE flooring is a neat, economical option that’s easy to install in your home.

But how do you clean it and protect it from damage? Here’s all you need to know.

How to clean laminate floors

Cleaning your laminate floors may be not be at the top of your list of priorities right now, but it’s important to look after them as dirt on the surface can cause scratches to appear.

They can also get sticky after mopping if you don’t approach the job properly.

But thankfully we’ve got some great cleaning hacks to share with you to get your laminate floor sparkling again.

Vacuum or dust

You should start by vacuuming or dusting, and make sure you don’t use a wet mop as this can spread grit across the floor, according The Spruce’s website.

If you choose to use a vacuum cleaner, use one that has a hard floors setting, this is because models with rolling brushes can damage to laminate flooring if used over time.

Pick a cleaning solution

It’s then time to pick a cleaning solution. You can either use a commercial floor cleaner and follow their instructions, or make your own cleaning mixture.

One mixture you could try is made up of:

• 2 cups of distilled white vinegar
• 2 cups of warm water
• 5-10 drops of an essential oil, this could be: orange, lemon, lemon eucalyptus etc.

Put this in a bottle with a spray top and apply it to the affected areas.

Mop the floors

Swelling can easily occur when water seeps between your laminate boards, so try to keep the amount of water you use to a minimum during the cleaning process, and also be sparing with your use of the spray.

Make sure the mop is wrung out before use and is only slightly damp.

You don’t want any excess water left behind after mopping, and the surface should be dry one or two minutes after you’ve finished.

Buff it dry

Then all you need to do is get an absorbent cloth or a microfibre mop head and buff the surface dry.

Rub the area in a circular motion until each section is done.

How to protect laminate floors from damage

So, now that you’ve got it sparkling clean again, how do you ensure it’s protected from damage?

The first thing to do is consider getting entrance mats, and not wearing shoes in the house.

Make sure that any spillages that do occur are wiped away in timely fashion so it can’t seep into the flooring.

You can also make sure the furniture in your home has floor pads to prevent them from scratching the surface.

Also be aware that over time laminate can be damaged by direct sunlight, so close the blinds during periods of intense sunlight and when you’re out.