Laminate flooring may be a relatively new arrival to the scene — it only really gained popularity in North America in the 1990s — but it has made quite a name for itself as a durable, attractive, and inexpensive alternative to hardwood.
One of the most beloved things about laminate flooring is how easy it is to clean. However, if you want to ensure that you are seeing laminate floors for their full potential, you will not only want to make them clean. You will also want to make them shine.
What are Laminate Floors Made Of?
Laminate flooring is made up of multiple fabrics that have been combined using a process that is known as lamination. Most laminate flooring is designed to have the appearance of either wooden or stone floors. However, they are more durable than authentic materials thanks to their layered effect that may even include some effects such as an antibacterial resin.
How Do You Clean Laminate Floors?
Laminate flooring is relatively easy to clean, although it does have its vulnerabilities. It is recommended that you both sweep and mop laminate flooring, although the floor should not be left damp for a long period of time, as this can cause warping.
It is important that laminate flooring be swept regularly as small debris particles could lead to scratches on the floor’s surface over time. Like any other type of flooring, there are also different quality levels of laminate flooring, which means that the quality of your floor may determine how well it responds to cleaning routines.
How Do You Make Laminate Floors Shine?
If you have had laminate flooring in your home for a number of years, then you may have begun to notice that the floor does not have the same glisten as it had in its earlier days. Fortunately, there are ways that you can bring them back to their original shine by following these steps:
1. Vacuum or Sweep
First things first: before you apply any wet cleaning solution to your flooring, you will first want to make sure that it is free of any dirt or dust. The best way to do this, of course, is to sweep or vacuum your floors. Depending on the amount of time it has been since your floors were last swept or vacuumed, you may want to combine both methods, i.e. sweep up your floor and then apply a vacuum.
2. Choose Cleaning Solution Wisely
Of course, in order to properly clean floors, you will need to have the proper cleaning supplies at your disposal! While it may be tempting to reach for the same cleaning supplies that you have longtime been familiar with, there are a few things to consider before you choose the right cleaning supplies for your laminate flooring.
For starters, it’s best if you avoid cleaning supplies that are designed to wax or polish your flooring. While these may work well on hardwood floors, they tend to leave a sticky residue on laminate. It is also safest if you avoid any products that require rinsing, as it is best that you keep your laminate flooring as dry as possible as often as possible. Prolonged moisture on a laminate floor can lead to warping and deterioration of the floorboards.
If you want to make sure that the product you are using won’t hard your laminate floors, you can always purchase one that is specifically designed for laminate flooring. There are many products like this that will advertise that they are “for laminate floors”.
3. Apply Cleaning Solution to Flooring
Of course, once you have chosen an appropriate product, you will want to make sure that you are applying the product in an appropriate way! In most cases, you will apply your choice of laminate cleaner to the floor directly. Consult the product label to be sure that you are following the best practices for your particular product.
4. Wipe Cleaning Solution Away
Even if you are not using a solution that needs to be rinsed away, you will likely still wipe the product once it has been applied to your laminate floors. This is best done with a microfiber cloth (or a mop if you are cleaning a large surface).
5. Ensure Laminate is Dry
As we mentioned earlier, it is never a good idea to allow your laminate flooring to collect moisture. Once you have wiped the cleaning solution away, you will want to give it another pass with a dry cloth or mop to ensure that everything is as dry as can be.
King of Floors: Your Flooring Experts in the Vancouver Area
If you are in the market for new laminate flooring, pay the laminate flooring showroom a visit! We are the go-to for anybody in Vancouver who is looking for the best flooring materials.