As beautiful and hard-wearing as laminate flooring can be, it’s essential to remember that laminate is not wood flooring and doesn’t react the same way to certain cleaning and maintenance methods. So, if you’re making any of these common laminate flooring mistakes, it might be time to make some changes.
Here are some common mistakes people make regarding their laminate floors and how you can fix them!
1: Not treating stains immediately
Laminate flooring often comes with high-gloss finishes that make for an eye-catching look. However, because of these glossier finishes, they can be more susceptible to staining. If you see a spill or stain on your laminate flooring and don’t immediately treat it, those marks can begin to set on your floor and become difficult to remove over time.
Make sure you’re paying attention to all stains and spills as soon as they happen to address them promptly. To reduce damage from everyday wear, give your floors a thorough vacuuming once every week and clean up any small spills as they happen. If possible, try to sweep up before it sets! Read on for more mistakes and how to avoid them…
Related: 10 Best Vacuum For Laminate Floors
2: Cleaning with harsh chemicals
Lots of cleaners are safe to use on laminate flooring, but sometimes people make mistakes and use too much cleaning product or use something too harsh for laminate floors. The best thing to avoid is using anything not specifically made for laminate floors. But if you’re unsure about what to use, ask a professional.
For example, flooring companies can help you choose a gentle cleanser and tell you how much to use so your floors stay in tip-top shape.
3: Skipping regular maintenance
Experts warn that it’s a mistake to skip regular maintenance; if you do, things like scratches, scuffs, deep marks, stains, and cracks may quickly appear. The right cleaning products combined with regular maintenance can keep your floors looking as new as they were first installed, says Dan Murphy of Home Depot. He recommends steam-cleaning every few months or weekly mopping with water and vinegar.
According to experts, the cleaner you are with your laminate floors, the longer they’ll look beautiful. Still have questions about laminate flooring? Get answers in The Ultimate Guide: How To Clean Laminate Floors.
4: Allowing pets on the floor
At some point, your dog or cat will naturally want to mark its territory on your laminate floor. The most common mistake is when people don’t realize their pets have done it until after it has soaked into the laminate. If you take care of a pet, ensure they’re not allowed on your floors.
If allowed, buy a good cleaning solution that it can apply easily if they happen to pee or poo on your floors, so you don’t have any surprises later.
5: Ignoring safety hazards
Your laminate floors may look beautiful, but if you don’t maintain them, it won’t matter. Wooden floors can have their grain exposed, which you don’t want on your laminates. Another safety hazard is making sure that things like power tools are kept off your laminate. Instead, use a wood cutting board to prevent damage from occurring.
6: Using cheap cleaners
If you’re wondering what is terrible about using cheap cleaners, I have some bad news. The cleaner will wear down your floors faster than any other cleaner. Why? Because of its harsh chemicals, which will damage your flooring more than a regular cleaner would!
So, if you want to take care of your laminate floors in a healthy way, then make sure that you’re using a good-quality cleaning product.
7: Not keeping up with the sealing routine
Many laminate floors come with a thin coating on top of their surface. This coating is designed to prevent scratches and scrapes, but it can wear down if you don’t regularly reseal it. For example, most laminate floors need to be resealed at least yearly.
If you fail to keep up with routine sealing, scratches and scuffs can quickly get past your floors. You may not even notice your floor has been damaged until it’s too late! Seal your laminate as soon as possible, or damage can occur fast!
8: Choosing a low-quality adhesive
Laminate flooring is relatively inexpensive, versatile, and durable for homeowners who want to spruce up their home’s aesthetic. However, laminate flooring can become damaged over time if it is not installed correctly or if the adhesive that comes with it is of poor quality.
A floor adhesive can cause a problem of delamination. This causes the laminate sheets to separate from each other and look worn or damaged even after repairs.
Laminate floors should always be placed on the plywood subfloor, not directly on the concrete. This is because moisture can enter small gaps between panels or improperly installed edges of floors. As a result, they may shrink and separate from each other.
How to find quality products in your area
Quality laminate products are not always easy to find when it comes to quality laminate products. You can spend a lot of time driving from store to store (or calling). If you need quality flooring for your home, they will help you find it. First, check out your local hardware stores:
Most stores will have at least some laminate flooring options in stock, but their range is generally quite limited. Many smaller hardware stores don’t have many options for you, so if you know what kind of quality level or type of style/design you’re looking for, it’s best to start with a more specialized retailer.
Read also: How to Make Laminate Floors Shine – 8 Tips
Conclusion
In conclusion, taking care of laminate floors can be tricky, especially if you don’t know what you’re doing. But there are ways to avoid the most common mistakes and keep your floor in top condition. Once you’ve taken care of these preventable factors, you’ll need to maintain the rest of the floor just once a month with a damp microfiber cloth or cloth and a cleaning solution.
You can use a quick-clean spray for everyday maintenance, but if you want to clean deep into the floor, you’ll need to apply a liquid cleaner. Make sure to test any cleaners in an inconspicuous spot!