Laminate floors are a popular choice for many homeowners thanks to their durability and ease of maintenance. But just how easy are they to care for? And how often should you be cleaning your laminate floors? The answer may surprise you.
You may not have thought about it, but mopping your laminate floor is an important part of keeping it clean.
For general cleaning, you should aim to sweep or vacuum your laminate floors at least once a week. If your floor sees a lot of foot traffic, you may need to increase this to two or three times a week. As far as mopping goes, it’s generally not necessary to do this more than twice a month. Of course, if there is an accident or spill, you’ll want to clean it up as soon as possible.
Also, if you have pets or lots of foot traffic in your home, you may need to mop more often to prevent dirt, dust, and other debris from building up.
How often do you need to clean laminate floors?
Cleaning laminate floors can be a tricky task – do it too often and you may end up damaging the surface, but leave it for too long and your floor will start to look dull and neglected. So how frequently should you clean laminate flooring, in order to keep it looking its best?
Cleaning laminate floors can be split into three categories: daily cleaning, deep cleaning, and immediate cleaning.
The number of people and animals in your home will help determine how frequently you need to clean. If, for example, you have several dogs and kids running around, then you’ll probably have to scrub your floors more than someone who lives alone would.
Daily cleaning
Daily cleaning simply involves sweeping or vacuuming your floor to remove any loose dirt, dust, and debris.
Sweep your floor every day with a soft-bristled brush, and use your vacuum cleaner to get any lose dirt off the floor. This will help prevent dirt from building up and keep your floor looking fresh and clean.
By taking these steps, your laminate floor will not only be clean, but free of dirt and debris. Not to mention, it’ll also make a big difference in the long run. By regularly cleaning your floors and removing any dirt or dust buildup, you’ll help protect it from damage.
Deep cleaning
For more persistent problems, such as stains or stuck-on debris, you’ll need to perform a deeper, more thorough clean using specialized products.
Use a laminate floor cleaner, following the manufacturer’s instructions. Generally, you should clean your floor in sections – this will help prevent any runoff from spreading the dirt to other areas of the floor, and it will allow you to focus on one area at a time.
Your goal should be to have a clean floor that’s free from any stains that might’ve developed since your last clean. You should do this every other week. In between deep cleans, use a damp mop to clean the floor and get rid of any dirt or dust buildup. Make sure to wring out the mop well so it’s not soaking wet – you don’t want to end up damaging your floor.
This advice is especially important if you have a busy home with a lot of activity. By keeping up with the daily cleaning, you’ll make the deep cleaning process much easier each time. And by keeping your floor clean overall, you’ll help protect it from any long-term damage.
Immediate cleaning
When you clean up a spill or stain soon after it occurs, this is called immediate cleaning. This kind of cleaning is different from daily or deep cleaning because you’re focusing on one small area rather than the entire floor.
If you have a spill or stain, use a clean cloth and some warm water to wipe it up as soon as possible. This will help prevent any staining from setting in – if you let the stain sit for too long, it can become much harder to remove.
If you don’t treat a stain immediately, it will become more difficult to remove later. Therefore, it’s always best to get rid of them as soon as possible.
Whether you’re dealing with dirt, stains, or other debris, the best way to keep your laminate floor clean is by taking regular steps to prevent build-up. Daily sweeping and vacuuming, as well as thorough deep cleaning every few weeks, will go a long way toward keeping your floor looking its best.
Protecting Your Laminate Floor
A laminate floor is only an asset if it is well-maintained. Here are some tips for protecting your laminate floor and keeping it looking like new.
1. Sweep or vacuum regularly. There are few things that damage a laminate floor more than dirt and debris. Sweep or vacuum at least once a week to keep dirt from being ground into the surface of the floor. Vacuuming with a soft brush attachment is best, as this will avoid scratching the floor.
2. Use doormats and area rugs. Placing doormats at all entrances to your home will help to keep dirt from being tracked in. In addition, using area rugs in high-traffic areas will help to protect the floor from wear and tear. Be sure to choose rugs with non-slip backing to avoid slips and falls.
3. Don’t use cleaning products that contain wax or polish. These products will build up over time and make it difficult to clean the floor properly. In addition, they can leave a dull, lifeless appearance. Instead, use a mild detergent or cleaner specifically designed for laminate floors.
4. Avoid using cleaning machines with rotating brushes. Machines like these can damage the surface of the floor, leaving scratches or scuffs. If you must use a machine, choose one that has been approved by the manufacturer for use on laminate floors.
5. Take care when moving furniture. Furniture legs can damage the surface of a laminate floor if they are not careful when moving them around. To avoid scratches, place furniture pads under all legs before moving any pieces around your home. You may also want to invest in furniture sliders to make moving heavy pieces easier and safer for your floors.
6. Don’t walk on the floor with high heels or other sharp objects on your feet. This can leave permanent marks on the surface of the laminate flooring. If you must wear shoes inside, choose ones that have soft rubber soles.
7. Protect your floors from sunlight. The ultraviolet rays in sunlight can fade the color of your laminate floors over time. To prevent this, keep curtains or blinds closed in rooms where there is direct sunlight coming in through windows.
8 . Take care when using cleaners around pets. Dogs and cats can be susceptible to chemicals in cleaners, so it’s important to keep them away from areas where you are cleaning until the area is completely dry. If you have pets that tend to make messes, you may want to consider placing their food and water bowls on mats that can be easily cleaned.
Conclusion
If you follow these tips, your laminate floors will look new for years. Although laminate floors are a wonderful addition to any home, they need some extra special care to stay flawless.
By being mindful of potential damage and taking the proper precautions, you can keep your laminate floors looking beautiful for years to come.
