Best cleaner for laminate flooring: How to Clean and Protect Laminate Floors

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2 page of 25

2 1 Features of laminate flooring

2 Laminate floor cleaning

3 How to clean laminate flooring

3.1 Pre-cleaning

3.2 Basic rules for cleaning laminate flooring

4 The best way to clean laminate flooring

4.1 Detergents

4.2 All-in-one recipe without unnecessary chemicals

4.3 Which rag to use

4.4 Laminate mop

4.5 Vacuum cleaner and steam cleaner

5 What not to clean laminate flooring 9000 3

6 Recommendations for wet cleaning of laminate flooring

7 How to clean brilliant green and other stains on laminate flooring

8 What is the difference between caring for white and dark laminate flooring

9 Helpful tips for caring for laminate flooring

A clean and well-maintained laminate floor is an important part of interior design. During operation, spots, scratches, swelling, swelling or gaps between the planks may form on the floor. Improper washing of floors also worsens the condition of the laminate flooring. Therefore, cleaning laminate flooring plays an important role in its operation.

The widespread use of laminate flooring requires the knowledge and skills to care for it. Housewives are often interested in the question: how to properly wash a laminate floor so as not to spoil it and so that there are no stains. Knowing the features of such a coating, you will be able to properly care for it and once and for all decide for yourself how and with what to wash the laminate.

Features of the laminate flooring

Laminate flooring is a set of laminate planks connected along the length and at the ends with each other by means of a lock. The junction of the planks forms a joint. Joints are the weak point of laminate flooring. Here, laminate damage is most common, since the basis of this material is a moisture-sensitive fibreboard. Low-cost laminate locks are not treated with a water-repellent compound, so they can deteriorate if water enters. In expensive and elite types of coating, the grooves and ridges are additionally treated with a composition containing wax, which improves the resistance of the coating to moisture.

It is very important to know how to properly clean laminate flooring so as not to damage the base layer of the board and to maintain the shine of the coating.

Laminate cleaning

Laminate cleaning is an important and crucial step in the maintenance of the flooring. If you want to keep your home clean, then it is simply impossible to do without cleaning. Dry cleaning is carried out regularly as abrasive particles accumulate on the surface: grains of sand, small pebbles, small parts of toys. They can scratch the finish. To clean the laminate, you need to sweep the debris with a broom with a soft bristle. To avoid dust, vacuum with a brush, also with a soft bristle. As the floor becomes dirty and dusty, after cleaning, it is necessary to do wet cleaning.

The cleaning result must be effective and safe both for the floor and for the inhabitants of the premises in which it is laid. To do this, you need to know how to wash the laminate with high quality, without streaks and stains, so that it shines and preserves the life of the coating as much as possible. The right cleaning technology, good tools and detergents will help protect the surface from all kinds of scratches, swelling and discoloration.

How to properly clean laminate flooring

To clean a laminate floor properly, you need to follow a certain sequence of steps.

Pre-cleaning

The floor must first be cleaned of coarse debris. To do this, you need to collect all the items that can scratch the surface when sweeping. For example, large pieces of glass, metal or sharp pieces of plastic. Next, collect sand and dirt from shoes or plasticine scattered by children. This can be done with a wooden spatula or spatula. Sweep away any large debris with a broom. Carefully collect it with a scoop. The broom must be soft enough not to scratch the surface of the laminate. With a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush, you need to carefully collect all the small debris, dust, hairs, not missing corners, baseboards and hard-to-reach places.

Before washing, you must first clean the laminate from contamination with special detergents, which will be discussed below.

After that, you can proceed directly to wet cleaning.

Basic Rules for Laminate Cleaning

1. The main rule to follow when cleaning a laminate floor is that the washing time and the amount of water that will fall on the floor should be kept to a minimum. Then the moisture will have time to evaporate from the surface of the coating before it penetrates deep into the joints and begins to destroy them.
2. Use a soft cloth or a microfiber mop with an adjustment lever to clean. It is better to use a microfiber cloth. It well collects excess water from the surface and does not leave large streaks. The rag or mop head is carefully wrung out after each washing. Old T-shirts, other colored items and rags with pile cannot be taken for washing. When using them, the surface becomes dull and stains remain.
3. Wet cleaning is best done with the windows open so that the water evaporates quickly and does not form wet spots or puddles.
4. Special detergents are added to the water to increase efficiency. More on this will be discussed below.
5. Heavily soiled floors should be washed twice. Cleaning is done in small areas, often washing the rag. The first time – with detergent. Then let the room dry. The second time – plain water.
6. If the floor is lightly soiled and dusty with a laminated floor, you can wash it once with just hot water (as long as your hands endure), so that it evaporates from the floor surface faster.
7. If small children or allergy sufferers live in a room with laminate, you can wash the floor with hot water, without using any detergents. Water should be at a temperature of 70-80 degrees. Then it will disinfect the floor and quickly evaporate. You need to work with gloves. Change the water frequently and wring out the cloth thoroughly. In order not to get burned, it is better to use a mop with a wringer.
8. Wash the room in such a sequence that you do not walk on a damp surface.
9. It is best to move the mop parallel to the laths of the laminate. So less water gets into the joints between the lamellae.
10. Dry laminate can be polished with a soft, dry cloth. This will remove the remaining moisture, stains and add shine to the coating.
11. If the floor gets too wet, wipe it with a soft, lint-free cloth or dry mop. This will keep the laminate from swelling and reduce streaks.

Laminate dries faster after damp cleaning with warm water. But clean tap water leaves stains on the surface. To avoid this, it must be neutralized. At home, a weak solution of table vinegar is used for this. Now you know how to wash the laminate so that there are no streaks.

What is the best way to clean laminate flooring

This question torments all housewives. And the answer to it is very simple: it is best to wash the laminated surface with detergents specially designed for this, strictly following the instructions for use. Overdose or inappropriate use of the product can lead to stains, streaks and damage to the coating.

Detergents

Retail chains offer a wide range of professional laminate cleaners:

• Mellerud Bio is a natural-based product that removes dirt, dust, oil and grease films well.
• Emsal Laminate – Soap-based, gentle care, protects edges from blistering, adds shine, prevents dust accumulation.
• Pronto – removes streaks, adds shine and cleans dirt well.
• HG – concentrate, creates a thin film that protects against moisture.
• Laminol – industrial product, water softener, antibacterial, adds shine, does not require rinsing.

Household floor cleaners (Mr.Proper, Glorix, Meine Liebe, Luxus, Grass, Sarma and others) can also be used to clean laminated surfaces.

In addition to special detergents, you can also use ordinary detergents that can be found in any home. However, it is worth remembering that all detergents are used with restrictions.

Detergents – shampoos, liquid soaps, dishwashing detergents – must have a neutral PH, be safe for the respiratory system of humans and animals, do not contain ammonia and chlorine. Their high reactivity can damage the surface of the laminate.

Some professional detergents are non-rinsable. Read the instructions carefully before use.

Any new detergent should be tested on a small, inconspicuous area. The average concentration of detergent is 50 grams per 10 liters of water. After applying the product, it is necessary to wash the floor with clean warm water and wipe it dry with a soft cloth or fiber cloth.

To remove streaks and add shine, after the washed floor has dried, the surface must be polished with a dry flannel cloth or rag.

A universal recipe without unnecessary chemicals

Special and professional detergents clean the laminate well from dirt, but they are quite expensive. There are universal recipes for washing the floor without the use of chemicals.

The easiest, cheapest and most common way to clean laminate flooring without the use of professional chemicals is to use clear table vinegar. This method is easily implemented at home. 200 ml is added to a bucket of hot water (10 liters). 3-9% white vinegar. With this solution, the floor is washed in the usual way – squeezing the rag well and not stepping on a wet surface. There is no need to go through plain water a second time. Vinegar has disinfectant properties. In combination with hot water and a well-wrung cloth, it will ensure that moisture evaporates quickly. Additional polishing with a dry cloth will remove moisture, enhance shine and remove stains. A solution of vinegar in water cleans dirt from laminate surfaces well and makes them shine.

Do not use apple cider vinegar, wine vinegar or any other color that is not clear. This can damage the laminate surface.

This method has only one drawback – an unpleasant odor is present during washing. It does not cause any harm and quickly disappears.

If 3-9% vinegar is not available, 70% essence (acetic acid) can be used, but it will need 10 times less.

Which cloth to use

As we have repeatedly mentioned in this article, it is best to use a microfiber cloth to clean laminate flooring. In principle, any soft cloth that absorbs moisture well, which can be wrung out well, or a special rag for mopping, will do.

Important! The rag should not shed and contain solid inclusions (buttons, locks, etc. ) that can scratch the surface.

Laminate mop

As an alternative to a floor cloth, you can use a mop. This will make cleaning the floor a little easier. It is better to use a universal mop with adjustable handle length. When washing large areas, professional mops with covers made of various materials on a movable nozzle of a rectangular or oval shape have shown themselves well. The movable mop head facilitates the process of washing and subsequent polishing of the laminated coating. To wash a small area, it is enough to have a simple household mop.

Vacuum cleaner and steam cleaner

Progress does not stand still and home appliance manufacturers have been offering to automate the cleaning process with a vacuum cleaner for several years.

However, use a regular vacuum cleaner to clean laminate flooring with great care. Water entering the joints while spraying with the cleaning nozzle of a vacuum cleaner penetrates the joints and causes them to swell. Only when washing laminate, the locks of which are treated with a special wax composition, you can use a new generation of washing vacuum cleaners. They spray water less intensively, are equipped with a special nozzle that quickly sucks up liquid and a brush that carefully collects residual moisture.

Read more about laminate vacuum cleaners in the article “Laminate vacuum cleaners: an overview of wet and dry models”

Steam cleaners are very effective at removing dirt from the surface of the laminate, but its use is possible under the following basic conditions:

• The covering has no damages and divergences of panels;
• Panel joints glued with a special adhesive or treated with a wax based water repellent;
• The material must be a durable grade 33 or 34 protective coating.

How not to clean laminate flooring

When cleaning laminate floors, it is recommended to use special detergents for laminate flooring. It is forbidden to use products containing chemically aggressive components. They have a negative effect on the laminated coating.

1. Chlorine and chlorine products such as Whiteness must not be used for cleaning. Chlorine discolors the surface and changes the shade of the decorative coating.
2. Strong acid and caustic alkali must not be used. Such products corrode the protective coating and destroy the fibreboard.
3. Do not use disinfectants or other products containing ammonia. It affects the laminated coating, worsening its gloss.
4. It is not recommended to use polishes and products intended for the care of other coatings when cleaning. There may be spots, turbidity and streaks on the surface.
5. Do not use abrasive powders, pastes or coarse brushes. This leads to scratches on the laminate, which impairs its appearance and leads to rapid wear.
6. Do not clean the floor with a wet cloth and plenty of water. Penetrating into the cracks, moisture leads to swelling of the fiberboard and damage to the coating.
7. Detergents must not be overdosed in a water solution. This is the most common cause of streaks on the surface and damage to the integrity of the coating.

Wet cleaning recommendations for laminate flooring

1. The use of special detergents makes cleaning easier, but no one benefited from the extra chemicals. Of course, it is impossible to completely abandon them, but it is better to limit the use of detergents for severe pollution.
2. In order to properly wash the surface without leaving streaks, you must first clean it of dirt, grease, stains, using cleaning products. They are best used locally, at the site of contamination.
3. To keep the floor surface in good condition:
   – avoid abrasive pastes and powders;
   – use a clean white rag or special wipes;
   – follow the instructions for the cleaning agent;
   – After removing dirt, rinse the area with clean warm water and dry quickly with a cloth.
4. When using non-professional cleaners and detergents for laminated surfaces, it must be taken into account that aggressive environment (alkaline or acidic) and abrasiveness of the material can damage the laminate. Therefore, any tool must be used wisely, according to the instructions, or by checking on a small, inconspicuous area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe floor. Prolonged exposure to the surface is not allowed.
5. The easiest product you can use to clean laminate flooring is a mild shampoo or liquid soap. Dilute 20 mg. in five liters of hot water and mix well. Dip a cloth or mop head into the soapy water and wring it out well. Start from the far corner of the room and go to the exit without stepping on the wet floor. Use a mop or cloth to make movements along the planks. So joints are less disturbed, dirt is better washed out and divorces are well eliminated. After complete drying, re-wipe the floor with a cloth washed in clean warm water or in water, with the addition of 6-9% white vinegar. (50 ml per 10 liters of water). Vinegar neutralizes the effects of an alkaline environment, adds shine to the laminate, and washes away dirt residues. We finish with a complete drying of the floor surface, airing.
6. How often can laminate flooring be cleaned? Wet cleaning should be done no more than once or twice a week, depending on the degree of contamination of the floor. Dry cleaning with a vacuum cleaner or a broom can be done daily.
7. Smooth, dark-colored finishes (wenge, bog oak) may show whitish streaks. To avoid this, use special detergents to wash the laminate without streaks. They are added to the water dosed according to the instructions. The floor washed in this way is wiped dry and polished with a soft, dry cloth. Divorces will not remain.

How to clean the green and other stains on the laminate

Cleaning the floor is almost always associated with the removal of various stains. In this case, the following tips will help us:

1. If the laminate is contaminated with aggressive liquids or paints, it is necessary to use special cleaners. For example: Dr Schutz, Elatex, Spray Max.
2. It is not always possible to have such a tool at hand, but you need to act quickly. Household funds will do. Solvents will help clean the floor from paints. White spirit is suitable for oil paints, acetone is suitable for nitro paints. Paint must be removed immediately with a cloth soaked in an appropriate solvent. Wipe the solvent dry. Rinse the floor with a solution of vinegar and warm water. Wipe dry.
3. If there is mounting foam on the floor, it must be removed from the surface with a wooden spatula, and the remains with white spirit. If the foam has dried, you need to carefully scrape it off with a wooden scraper and clean the place with white spirit.
4. Acrylic stains should be washed thoroughly with warm water.
5. Gypsum putty can be carefully scraped off and the area washed with warm water.
6. Tape marks can be removed with white spirit.
7. Wine stains and cognac stains can be easily removed with technical or medical alcohol.
8. Strips from colored pencils and felt-tip pens can be wiped off with alcohol or mineral spirits.
9. Grease stains and blood stains can be treated with a cloth soaked in window cleaner or mineral spirits.
10. Wash off stains on the laminate from rubber shoes, bicycle tires or stroller wheels with a cloth dampened with mineral spirits. They can also be erased well with an ordinary school eraser.
11. You can clean the brilliant green with a cloth soaked in alcohol.
12. If chewing gum or resin gets on the floor, freeze it with an ice pack and remove it from the surface. Or scrape off with a wooden spatula, and remove the remnants with a cloth with white spirit.

For more information about cleaning dirt and stains after repairs, see the article “Cleaning the laminate after repairs”

white vinegar.

The key to success in the fight against stains is precisely the rapid removal of the staining agent from the surface of the laminate. If the stain is already dry, then more physical effort and stronger detergents will be required to remove it.

The difference between white and dark laminate flooring

Dark particles are clearly visible on a white laminate floor. These can be grains of sand, small pebbles that are brought in with shoes and scratch the surface, leaving dark marks. Dust and dirt, gathering in scratches and dents, make them noticeable. Therefore, it is very important to prevent mechanical damage to the surface of the white surface. With the accumulation of dust in the joints and crevices and subsequent washing, dark stains may remain on the white surface. Therefore, the white floor should be vacuumed and dusted more often.

Dark laminate flooring shows less dents and minor scratches, but gray dust and light detergent stains are very visible. Therefore, it is necessary to carefully remove the remnants of detergents from the surface. This is achieved by additional rinsing with clean warm water followed by polishing with a clean soft cloth.

Laminate Care Tips

1. Keep your floor clean and dry clean every day.
2. Wet mop no more than once or twice a week as soiled.
3. Do not overmoisten or dry out the room.
4. Put a rubberized mat in the hallway near the door, on which the dirt brought from the street will remain.
5. Walk on the laminate floor with soft shoes or socks. This keeps the gloss and integrity of the surface longer.
6. Place felt pads on furniture legs to prevent scratching the floor when moving furniture.
7. Avoid dropping heavy sharp objects or spilling corrosive liquids on the laminate.
8. Clean up spilled liquid immediately and mop the floor dry.
9. How to clean the laminate in the kitchen from grease? First, remove the grease with a dry cloth. Then wipe the area with a cloth moistened with mineral spirits or window cleaner. Finally, wash the area with soap and water and dry with a dry cloth.
10. Special care products for laminate should be used strictly according to the instructions and the dosage must be observed.