How to Clean a Laminate Floor

A laminate floor is an expensive addition to any home. 

Thus, maintaining it by keeping it clean will save you time and money over the long term.  

Usually when purchasing laminate floors for your home, there will be specific instructions on how to clean and protect it from scratches, nicks, and how to provide overall care. 

If you have a laminate floor or considering renovating your home, here are some suggestions on how to clean a laminate floor. 

1.         Check with the manufacturer of the floor to determine if there is a cleaning kit that accompanies it.  If so, follow the directions.   

2.         Sweep the floor to get rid of any dirt, especially grit.   

3.         If you utilize a vacuum cleaner, use the attachments such as the soft brush only.  The reason why this is important is because if there is grit, the vacuum will embed these pieces into the floor and leave scratch or nick marks.

4.         It is recommended that you do not polish or wax a laminate floor since the flooring has been treated with a layer of finish.  In addition, the aforementioned items will wear out the existing finish and leave noticeable patches.

5.         When you mop the floor, do not completely soak the mop but dampen it.  Another recommendation is to mop along the grain and not against it.

6.         Do not use any other type of cleansers on your laminate floor.  Only use the cleaning kit provided by the manufacturer or ask for recommendations on the proper cleaning agents to use.

7.         As with any floor covering, spills should be wiped up immediately.

8.         If you have pets, place a mat under their water bowl so as not to allow water to seep into the flooring.

While you may have a busy household, the continuous flow of activity will certainly add to the need for appropriate maintenance of your laminate floor. 

Although there are some things you can prevent, scratches will nonetheless appear.  Check with the manufacturer and ask if there are any products you can use to repair scratches or nicks.   

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