Laminate flooring is a very durable and easy to clean product. However, if the wrong methods are used, permanent damage can be caused to the product, often voiding the warranty of the flooring.
Using the correct methods, a quality laminate flooring can look brand new for many years. The one piece of advice we give to all our laminate customers is that moisture and wood products do not mix.
How to clean
Spills
Do not use any form of wet mop on laminate flooring to clean spills. These methods increase the risk of permanently damaging laminate flooring. Instead, use a damp cloth to blot up spills, avoiding leaving liquid on the flooring for any period of time. The key to preserving a laminate flooring is to avoid getting moisture into the joints of the planks.
Tough Spots & Stains
For stains such as paint, lipstick, oil & any tough to remove marks, a diluted nail polish remover on a clean cloth can be used. However, avoid scrubbing the area hard as this could cause the hard laminate surface to wear & discolour.
Another method of removing stains is to use a less diluted down cleaner such as the Quick-Step Dedicated laminate cleaner. This cleaner is designed to clean the flooring, without removing any protective layers which the laminate is manufactured with.
Try to avoid using any abrasive methods to remove tough spots, so steel wool, abrasive cleaners, strong ammoniated or chlorinated type cleaners should not be used.
Maintaining Laminate Flooring
There are a number of ways in which you can ensure your laminate looks brand new for many years. Firstly, ensure the floor is swept & vacuumed on a regular basis. This will eliminate the build up for dirt and grit which will scratch the protective layer when walked on.
Secondly, using a dedicated cleaner such as the Quick-step laminate cleaner will remove any dirt safely from all joints & groves in the laminate. This will stop the flooring looking dull & used in higher traffic areas.
Using alternative methods such as wet mopping with soap cleaners or steam cleaners can cause swelling, warping, delimitation, joint line separation and potentially void the warranty.
Tips & Tricks
Firstly, the use of an entrance mat in doorways will reduce the amount of abrasive grit introduced to the laminate surface. This will considerably reduce the amount of wear the laminate had.
Secondly furniture leg bases are a good idea to avoid heavy objects with sharp feet to be sat on the laminate for long periods of time. Using a base which spreads the load will avoid any dints in the surface.
Finally, keeping any pets nails trimmed can reduce the chances of scratches & marks being introduced.
For any further advice, feel free to get in contact with one of the team.
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