Laminate flooring is a wood-look floor covering made of multiple layers of resin and fiber. Both attractive and cost-effective, it is particularly popular with professionals and homeowners alike. Have you just installed this floating floor in your home? Although it is easy to maintain, it requires special attention and regular cleaning to ensure its longevity. Anova Bois guides you on how to effectively care for your laminate floors. Here are some maintenance tips to keep your floating floor in good condition.
Maintain your laminate flooring on a daily basis
Maintaining laminate flooring is essential to preserve its shine. It's important to know that laminate floors are prone to scratches. Adopting the right habits ensures the longevity of the surface over time.
First, you can place a rug on the laminate or at the entrance of the room to reduce abrasion caused by shoes carrying dirt and dust. This will help minimize wear. Also, avoid dragging furniture when moving it. Ideally, place felt pads under the legs of furniture, tables, and chairs.
On a daily basis, it is recommended to perform simple dry cleaning. Using a broom with a microfiber cloth, a dust mop, or a vacuum cleaner with a soft head, you can remove dust and dirt. In case of water splashes or stains, wiping them up before they dry is usually sufficient.
Laminate flooring does not require a finishing product, unlike solid wood flooring. While solid wood floors need a wood varnish to provide maximum resistance to daily wear and ensure long-lasting durability, laminate flooring should not be coated with a wood varnish. This type of finishing product cannot adhere to or be absorbed by the laminated surface of a floating floor. For solid wood, Anova Bois offers a wide range of varnishes for floor protection.
Deep clean your laminate flooring
Does your laminate flooring have stains from ink, grease, coffee, or jam? Depending on the room it’s used in, this floating floor covering can indeed accumulate many everyday food and dirt stains. Cleaning is therefore necessary at least once a week. You’ll need a broom, a damp mop, and a mild soap.
Black soap, for example, is an essential cleaner for maintaining laminate flooring. You can also use dishwashing liquid or white vinegar diluted in water. Pour a few drops onto a sponge or a damp mop and clean the floor. You can also dilute a capful of black soap in lukewarm water, dip your mop in, wring it out well, and gently scrub the laminate floor following the direction of the planks—cleanliness guaranteed!
Then rinse using the same equipment and clear water. A dry, clean mop will finish the job.
Be careful not to use overly abrasive cleaners such as bleach-based products, which could damage your flooring. Also avoid excessive water cleaning, which could cause warping.
How should stains on this type of flooring be treated?
Sometimes, the surface of your laminate flooring may be covered with old and stubborn stains:
- grease,
- glue,
- chewing gum,
- sugar,
- marks from heels, moved furniture, toys, etc.
You should then use specific cleaning products. For stains such as pet urine, ink marks, paint, crayon, or glue, simply soak a clean, dry cloth with acetone. Then gently rub the stain, taking care around the flooring joints.
For stains like chewing gum or certain types of grease on your laminate flooring, apply ice cubes to the area. This treatment helps harden the substance to be removed. You can then more easily lift it off using a plastic knife. Any remaining residue can be cleaned with a soft sponge and dish soap.
Prevent wear on your laminate flooring
Avoid exposing the flooring to excessive moisture. In this regard, it is not recommended to clean the floor with large amounts of water. Do not let water sit on the surface for an extended period.
Regular use of high heels or dirty-soled shoes is discouraged. For frequent maintenance of this type of flooring, avoid using overly harsh cleaning products (such as bleach). These habits can cause scratches or marks on the floor's surface. The application of wax or varnish to your laminate flooring is also not recommended. It is not suitable.
Varnishing helps protect, prevent wear, and extend the lifespan of solid wood, but not of laminate flooring. You can find more information on this topic by following our tips on varnishing a wood floor.
How to replace damaged laminate flooring planks
For various reasons, the planks of your laminate flooring may become damaged. They can be warped, scratched, punctured, burned, cracked, broken, or dented. In such cases, it may be necessary to replace the defective planks to maintain the aesthetic appearance of your floating floor. This is possible as long as you have the proper tools.
You will need to cut out and remove the damaged planks. Then, prepare new planks cut to the correct dimensions. Before placing the replacement plank into its position, trim the lower side groove and remove the tongue. Finally, find a way to securely fix the replacement plank in place.