Laminate flooring is a popular choice by many homeowners as it creates a modern, stylish look in any room and is much more practical and durable than carpet. It is relatively easy to clean and care for but it’s worth following a few basic guidelines in order to get the best from your laminate flooring:
- Check the manufacturer’s warranty – Your laminate flooring may have come with a set of specific care instructions and a warranty. It’s worth double checking the conditions of the warranty as some cleaning methods could invalidate your warranty.
- Damp mop only – Mopping your laminate flooring with a sopping wet mop could lead to water seeping under the boards and eventually causing rot to set in. It is recommended that you vacuum your laminate flooring to remove debris then mop it with a damp, wrung-out mop to remove dirt and sticky marks.
- Don’t polish it – Most laminate flooring is treated with a finishing layer that will keep it looking great. Polishing, waxing or varnishing your laminate flooring can remove this layer and cause damage to the flooring over time, thus reducing its longevity.
- Clean it regularly – It’s important to stay on top of cleaning your laminate flooring by wiping up spills as soon as they happen so that they don’t stain or seep through the boards. Sweep or vacuum your flooring often to remove debris and avoid it being trodden into the flooring.
- Protect your flooring – Use mats and rugs to protect your laminate flooring from abrasions and dirt, particularly in high traffic areas like entryways and gangways. Use felt pads on your furniture to prevent chair and table legs from scratching your flooring; and avoid dragging or pushing furniture, lift it instead so that it doesn’t scratch the floor.
If you follow these guidelines you should hopefully find that your laminate flooring will serve you well for years to come. Laminate flooring is designed to be much more low maintenance and easy to care for than carpet, but it’s important to stay on top of things and put a little thought into how you use and care for your flooring if you want to get the best from it.