How and how to properly wash laminate flooring to avoid streaks and scratches

The long service life of laminate boards will ensure the correct choice of building material when purchasing and careful care for it.

Detergents

There are many laminate cleaners on the market. These are powders, shampoos, gels; before use, test their effect on an inconspicuous area of the floor. If there are no traces left and the coating is not damaged, then feel free to use the selected household chemicals.

The magazine purity-en.htgetrid.com recommends that when choosing a product, pay attention to its safety, and not just to the effectiveness and quality of removing contaminants. The gel or shampoo should not release toxic substances or cause burns.

Popular laminate cleaners:

Emsal Laminate (Emsal Laminate) is a luxury detergent. This is a soap-based liquid. It does not leave streaks, therefore it is suitable for washing parquet or tiles. The main advantage is cost-effectiveness, since one container is enough for three to four months of systematic use. When washed, Emsal Laminate provides impregnation of the surface of the floor covering, resulting in shine and reliable protection from dust and moisture.
Proper (Mr. Proper) - a budget-friendly laminate cleaner. Effectively removes dust, dirt and stains, has a very pleasant smell, providing a feeling of freshness in the room after cleaning.
"Mellured Bio" Effectively removes any dirt from the laminate even after repair. The specific composition ensures smoothing of scales and the formation of a film with water-repellent properties.
"Bagi Laminate" - thanks to the linseed oil contained in the composition, it perfectly polishes the surface and it acquires a glossy shine. Does not leave streaks.

To get rid of stains, stains and dirt, adding ethyl alcohol, lemon juice or table vinegar (2-3 tablespoons per 10 liters of water) to a container with warm water for washing the floor will help.

You can ensure the shine of the floor and at the same time wash away dried dirt, stains, and stains using dishwashing gel. You need to add a little product to the water and wash the laminate with the resulting solution.

The appearance of stains is caused by the alkali contained in the water, which, when mixed with detergents, leaves whitish streaks. Adding 550 ml of vinegar to 2.5 liters of water will help prevent streaks.

Instructions for washing laminate flooring

Instructions:

Sweep with a broom or broom to remove large debris.
Vacuum the surface using an attachment that will not scratch the surface. The most dust accumulates in the corners, so they should be cleaned especially carefully.
Mix the detergent with water according to the instructions on the package.
Dip an automatic mop into the solution for 3 minutes, wring out the sponge and wipe a small area of the surface. Then rinse the sponge, wring it out and continue on the next area.
If the solution becomes dirty, throw it away and make a new one.
Sometimes you need to wash the floor again to achieve results.

At home, it is better to wash with the windows open; this will ensure the surface dries quickly and prevent the formation of wet spots and puddles. If they do appear, remove excess water using a lint-free dry cloth. After finishing wet cleaning, do not close the windows immediately.

Laminate basically contains fiberboard, not solid wood. The layers of each slab are bonded together with a special glue that is resistant to physical stress, temperature changes and moisture. However, this is a rather sensitive coating; it does not like an abundance of water. It is recommended to wipe the laminate floor with a damp microfiber cloth every 1-3 days and wash it only once a week.

A special mop with microfiber is best suited to care for laminate flooring. For more gentle cleaning, such tools have a special adjustment lever.

Do not wash laminate flooring with fluffy rags or old T-shirts, especially colored ones: after this treatment the coating will become dull. To avoid leaving marks (scratches) on the laminate, avoid hard sponges and rags with buttons, seams or embroidery.

How to remove stains

Dirt that appears on the surface of the laminate can be easily removed using window cleaner or regular dishwashing gel. Aggressive and especially abrasive products should not be used if you want to keep the floor intact and beautiful.

Common stains and means of removing them:

Marks from a felt-tip pen can be removed with a cloth soaked in white spirit.
Stains from wine and other alcoholic drinks are easily removed with ethyl alcohol.
Fat is removed with ordinary soap. Rub the stain with a wet, soapy cloth and it will disappear.
Traces from the rubber soles of shoes can be removed with a pencil eraser. Rub it on the stains and they will disappear. You can sprinkle baking soda on the stained areas and then wipe with a damp cloth, but you need to be extremely careful not to scratch the laminate. You shouldn't press too hard with the eraser either.

Small scratches appear over time. To make them invisible, they are rubbed over with plasticine of a color that matches the coating or simply painted over with a felt-tip pen.

How to clean laminate flooring after renovation

No matter what the repair was, traces of building materials on the laminate will remain in any case. To ensure that cleaning is fast, efficient and of high quality, you should adhere to the following rules:

Mark the chalk and plaster carefully, but without pressing, with a broom or remove with a dry microfiber cloth. If you start washing right away, there will be streaks and stains that will not go away until the end even after the third wash.
If there are stains from polyurethane foam and paint, acetone or ethyl alcohol will help remove them. The surface must be treated quickly and carefully. Apply the product to the stained area and wait approximately 60 seconds. After this, remove the residue with a soft, damp, lint-free cloth.
Small scratches can be easily masked with a wax pencil.
Only after removing all stains and removing all debris and chalk can you begin wet cleaning.

What should you not wash laminate flooring with?

There are products that are strictly prohibited from being used when removing dirt from laminate flooring. Their impact will cause deformation or at least worsen the appearance of the floor covering.

Do not wash laminate flooring with the following products:

Ammonia can corrode the top protective layer of laminate boards.For this reason, any products containing a similar component cannot be used.
Abrasive substances wear down and scratch the laminate, so they should not be used to remove stains and dirt. For the same reason, before washing the floor, it is necessary to remove crumbs, small stones and sand from it.
Liquids containing chlorine, which have disinfectant properties, destroy laminate flooring.
Products containing alkali and acid corrode the protective layer of the coating and make the floor dull.
Rubbing laminate flooring with other types of floor covering polishes means ruining it. Silicone and parquet mastic will lead to deformation of the surface layer.
You cannot use a steam cleaner when washing, as steam penetrates between the joints and destroys their integrity, causing the floor covering to swell and deform.

It is not recommended to wash laminate flooring with a vacuum cleaner. This is due to the fact that such a coating is very sensitive to excess humidity, and the device sprays water in large quantities. More modern and improved models of washing vacuum cleaners spray moisture in a smaller volume and have nozzles with increased suction power, as well as a special brush that removes residual moisture.

Extending the life of laminate

Laminate boards as a floor covering look very beautiful, and such a floor is very convenient to use. In addition, caring for it is not as difficult as it might seem at first glance.

The main means for caring for laminate flooring are clean water and a soft cloth; this floor should be washed no more than twice a week, and can be wiped with a damp cloth every other day.Daily maintenance is usually not required, since the top layer of material is able to repel dust. Using a minimal amount of a product specifically designed for caring for such a coating will ensure its impeccable cleanliness and delightful gloss.

Recommendations for the use and care of laminate flooring:

Felt stickers on furniture legs will help to avoid scuffs and scratches, or you can use regular cardboard. To avoid scratches, you should not walk on laminate flooring with sharp stilettos.
In areas of the floor that are subject to particularly heavy load (near the bed, sofa, door), it is better to place rugs. This will ensure more even wear throughout the coating.
Heavy objects should not be dropped onto the laminate; such a floor must be protected from dirt and sand.
If liquid is spilled on the coating, it should be cleaned up immediately with a soft cloth.
Floor flowerpots with flowers must be placed on special pallets.
Laminate will discolor when exposed to direct sunlight. To prevent this from happening, shade the windows with blinds or curtains.
The coating should be washed 1-2 times a week, using a special product - twice a month.
After wet cleaning, it is recommended to wipe the laminate with a dry, lint-free cloth.
The matte laminated coating must be wiped with a soft cloth every day.
There is no need to apply mastic to this type of flooring, as it will leave streaks on the laminate.
To avoid traces of bare feet on a glossy surface, you should walk on such a floor in soft house shoes.

Useful tips

Practical tips will help ensure proper care of laminate flooring, which will significantly increase its service life:

Do not purchase or use linoleum or tile products on laminate flooring. The bottle of the composition should be marked “for laminate.”
A microfiber cloth will prevent the appearance of streaks. It is necessary to wipe the floor after washing.
Before preparing the cleaning aqueous solution, you should carefully study the instructions for use. The volume specified by the manufacturer cannot be increased, otherwise whitish marks cannot be avoided.