Laminate floors have come a long way from being just a cheap alternative to hardwood. They are more durable, less prone to splitting and staining, and cost much less than their hardwood counterparts. In addition, laminate flooring can last a long time with proper maintenance and care. This is why you need to adopt appropriate cleaning procedures.
The first thing you should do is take care of any spills immediately. It’s essential to clean up any stains or smudges immediately, as they can easily become permanent.
However, there are some things you should know about keeping laminate floors looking glossy and bright.
8 Tips for Making Laminate Floors Shine
The right way to clean laminate floors is to use the right cleaning agents. These 8 Tips will help you make laminate floors shine.
Use protective pads on furniture
Use a hard plastic or rubber pad to protect your furniture from scratches. Avoid dragging all types of furniture on laminate floors. These can be bought at any hardware store but may be more expensive than regular furniture covers.
You can also make your own by cutting pieces of foam or rubber from old shoes and using them as pads for your furniture.
Stop the wet cleaning methods
It’s best to avoid wet cleaning products on your laminate floor, as they may leave behind residue that will leave permanent marks on your floors over time. Instead, use a broom or vacuum with a soft brush attachment to remove debris from your floors.
The best way to clean laminate floors is using a soft cloth or microfiber mop. If you want to use an abrasive pad, ensure that it is only used on a tiny area at a time not to damage the entire floor.
Avoid abrasive cleaning pads
Abrasive cleaners can damage the surface of your laminate floor, leaving scratches and unsightly discoloration. Therefore, you should avoid using these pads to keep your floor looking new and beautiful for years to come.
Avoid using wax and floor polish
Wax and polish are harmful to most laminate floors because they contain ingredients that cause discoloration over time. Wax also dries out the floor’s finish, causing it to crack or warp over time. So while these products may seem like an easy solution, they’re more harmful than helpful in the long run.
Sweep and vacuum at least once a week
If you have children, this one is especially important! Once a week, use a broom to sweep up crumbs or dust that have fallen onto the laminate flooring. To prevent scratches to your laminate floor, try using a soft dust mop instead of a broom. You can also invest in a vacuum that’s designed for laminate floors, and make sure to replace your vacuum bag every few weeks.
Let the laminate floors air dry
Let your laminate floors air dry after cleaning them, so they don’t warp or crack while drying out. If you leave them wet, they will shrink and lose their luster over time (which can make them look faded). If you want to speed up the drying time, use a dry cloth or dry mop on your clean laminate floors so they can get rid of excess water more quickly.
Stop wearing shoes at home
Take off your shoes before entering your home so as not to track dirt! This will also prevent dirt from getting tracked into your laminate floors, which can cause discoloration or damage over time (see below). Also, request guests to take off their shoes when entering the house. Consider placing a shoe cupboard near the main door.
Use floor mats
Laminate flooring is durable, but it still needs protection from scratches and scuffs. You can use a rubber mat or rug placed under the laminate flooring. The rug will protect the laminate flooring from any accidental knocks or scrapes. The rubber mats are available at most hardware stores and home improvement stores.
Conclusion
As you can see, laminate flooring offers a lot of benefits, namely its durability and resistance to staining. But in order to enjoy those benefits, you need to be sure you’re doing things right. By following the basic steps outlined above, laminate floors will shine and remain a fixture in your home for years to come.