How to properly clean laminate flooring at home?

Laminate is a practical, modern floor covering that, with proper use and quality care, retains its attractive appearance for a long time.

To clean laminate flooring, you will need tools and special chemicals that take into account the characteristics of this material.

How to remove scuffs and swelling from laminate flooring at home, what cleaning products are best, read on.

Cleaning the coating

Not all cleaning methods are suitable for laminate floor care - it is necessary to take into account the specifics of the material. Both dry and wet cleaning are acceptable, but must comply with a number of rules.

Dry

The most harmless method for laminate flooring is dry cleaning, which can be done with brooms and brushes with soft bristles. If you choose the right tool, such care cannot harm the surface of the floor covering. Dry cleaning can be carried out frequently, without limitation - as needed.

Wet

Washing laminate floors requires care.In addition to choosing cleaning equipment, it is important to remember that the coating does not allow excessive moisture and the use of aggressive chemicals.

This limitation is due to the fact that the wooden base has the ability to absorb moisture. Significant wetness may cause deformation and loss of appearance of the laminate.

Very frequent washing also causes no less damage to the laminate. The best option to maintain cleanliness and not harm the surface is once every 3 or 4 days. An exception is the need for extraordinary cleaning of the floor due to contamination.

What is the best way to wash?

Cleaning laminate flooring requires preparation - choosing tools and detergents.

Required Tools

The best mop option is with a microfiber cloth. This material has many advantages compared to nozzles made from other types of materials. If microfiber is not available, soft cotton can be used.

The coating can be washed by hand and with a mop.. In this case, the type of nozzle must meet the same requirements as rags:

• softness;
• good water absorption;
• no protruding fasteners;
• lack of scrapers to remove water;
• no additional abrasive attachments for better cleaning of dirt.

Detergents: top 3

For regular periodic cleaning, you can even do without detergents. But from time to time it is advisable to wash the floor with special preparations.

You need to choose those that are designed for laminate and have a corresponding mark on the packaging.Household chemicals for laminate flooring often have additional capabilities - they prevent stains, soften water, etc.

Bagi

The product produced in Israel is suitable for processing laminate and cork flooring. The product contains linseed oil. The product removes even complex stains and adds shine. Price – up to 400 rubles for a container of 550 ml.

Emsal

The product, produced in Germany, prevents dust from settling, cleans the surface effectively and carefully, protecting the seams. Contains antistatic components. Price – up to 450 rubles per 1 liter.

Mellerud

The cleaner is intended for the care of veneer and laminate floors, as well as cork. The product removes surface contaminants, including greasy ones, as well as shoe marks. Cost - 620 rubles on average per 1 liter.

Step-by-step instruction

For washing laminate according to all the rules it is necessary to adhere to the following sequence of actions:

1. Perform dry cleaning. To do this, you can use a broom or a brush with soft bristles.
2. Vacuum the coating, also choosing the nozzle carefully - it should not be hard.
3. Prepare a bucket of water.
4. Dilute the floor cleaner according to the instructions for the product.
5. Moisten a cloth or nozzle in the prepared solution.
6. Squeeze.
7. Wipe down the laminate.
8. As necessary, you need to rinse the rag and use it again when moving to a new area of ​​the floor.
9. Wipe the laminate surface dry.

Vacuuming

Using a washing vacuum cleaner can make the cleaning process easier, but it also has some disadvantages. The procedure for using the device is completely similar to washing any other coating.

It is better to give preference to such models of vacuum cleaners, which have the following set of functions:

• adapted for cleaning laminate flooring;
• allow you to regulate water pressure;
• There is a nozzle for very quickly collecting water from the floor.

Advantages:

1. Fast cleaning.
2. High quality surface cleaning.
3. Availability of various attachments.

Flaws:

1. Vacuum cleaner brushes are rougher than the recommended microfiber and can damage the surface.
2. The vacuum cleaner uses quite a lot of water, which leads to waterlogging of the coating.
3. Frequent use of the vacuum cleaner may cause the coating to become discolored.

The use of a washing vacuum cleaner is more suitable for laminate flooring with increased moisture resistance, and is not advisable for budget types.

Steam generator application

The principle of operation of the steam generator is to carry out cleaning by supplying hot steam. This intense exposure may be hazardous to the coating.

Coatings with low wear resistance tolerate such washing the worst. Such processing is allowed only for coatings of class 32 or 34, with mandatory wax impregnation.

An alternative option is to use a steam mop.. This device has a milder effect, but its use should also be limited. This is due to the fact that steam easily penetrates into the cracks of the joints, into the areas most vulnerable to external influences, and can contribute to the deformation of the laminate.

Adding shine

In addition to dry and wet cleaning, polishing can maintain the attractive appearance of the floor covering. It is carried out on a cleaned laminate.

To add shine to the coating you will need the following ingredients:

• warm water (4 tbsp);
• lemon juice (2 tbsp.);
• vinegar (3 tbsp.);
• dishwashing gel (5-7 drops).

Preparation of the composition:

1. Combine lemon juice, vinegar and water in a container.
2. Stir.
3. Add gel.
4. Stir again.

Use the prepared product for rubbing and polishing laminate flooring. There is no need to rinse off the applied composition. When rubbing the laminate, it is recommended to organize ventilation of the room.

Elimination of defects

During operation and as a result of improper care, defects may appear on the laminate. In case of minor damage, it is possible to repair the damage even on your own.

How to remove bloating?

In cases where the laminate has risen at the joints, it will not be possible to cope with the problem using easy methods. The solution to the problem is dismantling.

If the cause of swelling of the boards is spilled water, then You can try to cope on your own:

• wipe the surface;
• ensure drying.

Scuffs and scratches

Scratches and abrasions, if they are small, can be rubbed with flannel dipped in vegetable oil. You can also use a wax pencil of a suitable shade and polish.

Deal with deeper damage (chips, dents and scratches) special putty and paste will help. The product is carefully applied to the defect site, filling the missing volume. After the composition has dried, the treated area is sanded and opened with varnish.

What not to do and why?

During the cleaning process, it is important to remember a number of prohibitions. This will prevent unforgivable mistakes and spoil the coating.

The main restrictions include the following:

1. You should not use cleaning equipment on hard, much less abrasive, surfaces.Failure to comply with this rule may result in damage to the material.
2. The tools used should not have protruding, protruding metal pins or other elements that could accidentally touch the laminate and cause scratches.
3. Do not use aggressive household chemicals, as this can lead to stains and destruction of the top layer.
4. It is forbidden to overly moisten a floor covered with laminate, as this can cause deformation of the boards and damage to all layers of the coating.

5 recommendations

Having a laminate covering, you must adhere to the following tips:

1. The frequency of washing should be sufficient so that dirt does not form, but there is also no waterlogging.
2. Sharp heels cause damage to the floor covering.
3. If you need to move furniture, be sure to place pads under the legs.
4. If a large amount of liquid is accidentally spilled onto the laminate, it must be collected as quickly as possible, without allowing the moisture to be absorbed into the coating.
5. Defects in the form of abrasions and scratches should be eliminated as soon as they are noticed. Leaving untreated damage allows dirt and moisture access to the deep layers of the laminate, which can lead to more serious defects.

Video on the topic of the article

The video will show you how to restore shine and cleanliness to laminate:

Conclusion

Cleaning laminate flooring is not a difficult process if you approach the issue wisely. For washing, it is very important to select the right tool and suitable household chemicals. If defects occur, they should be eliminated promptly and very carefully.