Laminate Floor Care and Maintenance
Line BreakAuthor: Terry Weinheimer | Kevin Weinheimer (15 Articles)
Kevin Weinheimer and Terry Weinheimer are nationally known flooring inspectors located in Oregon and offering nationwide service.
Protect Floor from Scratching
While laminate flooring has a harder finish than many types of floor covering, all types of floors can loose their appearance from dirt. Abrasive soil scratches and cuts at a floor surface resulting in a dull appearance.
- Trap dirt, sand and grit by using doormats at outside entrances.
- Use felt protectors under chair, table and other furniture legs. On large items that may scratch a floor place a piece of felt under it.
- Use a dust mop, or vacuum to remove loose dirt or grit. (Avoid uprights or carpet attachments as these may scratch the floor.
Cleaning Laminate Floors
- Damp mop with warm water; do not saturate the floor and change the water as necessary to keep clean.
Cleaning Spots and Small Areas
- Use a clean damp cloth or clean sponge to wipe up most spots. Grease, chocolate, juice or wine. Use warm water and one of the following: mild detergent, vinegar or ammonia. (Never use excessive water)
- Crayon, asphalt, dried foods, shoe or nail polish, ink, paint or other materials that would stain most floors: Rub with a clean rag dampened with mineral spirits, denatured alcohol or acetone (nail polish remover). The room should be well ventilated.
- Candle wax, chewing gum harden with ice, then gently scrape with a blunt scraper. Wipe with warm water and a clean white cloth.
Don’ts
- Never clean with abrasive cleaners, scouring powder or steel wool.
- Do not sand, use wax, polish or varnish.
- Do not allow liquid to stand on a floor.
Are steamers safe for cleaning laminate floors?
I for would not suggest the use of a steamer on a laminate floor. A steamer should be safer to use than a cleaning system such as a wet Swiffer where you are spraying liquid on to the floor. The problem I see with a steamer is the potential for misuse. If you are using the steamer with the proper cloth it should be okay on most laminate floors. There are lots of different laminate qualities some resist moisture better than others. To be safe it would probably be best to avoid the use of a steamer.