Best Tools for Cleaning Laminate Flooring

Although one of the reasons homeowners choose laminate flooring is because of its ability to resist scratches and stains, laminate isn’t completely scratch or stain proof. So what do you do when you need to clean your laminates? Read on for some great maintenance tips, presented by the Carrollton laminate floor experts at CMA Flooring.

Spills containing sharp-edged materials like broken glass, sandy plant soil or rocks can slightly mar or deeply score the surface resulting in a duller or scarred finish. Even the smallest of scratches can allow moisture to seep beneath the top layer and, over time, cause your flooring to swell or warp, promote mold growth or damage the underlayment, subflooring and joists. To help your laminate floor keep its undamaged appearance year after year, you only need five basic tools:

Microfiber Mop

A soft microfiber mop, dry or damp, is the best tool for dusting and clean up of powdery spills. It also works great for soaking up fresh liquid spills.

Vacuum

A vacuum’s suction gently lifts materials from surfaces. With a rough spill, a microfiber mop would only rake sharp-edged materials around on the floor. As a result, the best tool for a rough spill is a vacuum hose held approximately 1/4-inch above the spill.

Laminate Cleaner

Abrasive cleaning tools and harsh chemicals can also cause damage. For basic stains and periodic maintenance of the finish, use a microfiber mop dampened with a cleaner designed specifically for laminate flooring.

Nail Polish Remover

Some types of stains, such as tar, oil and lipstick, can only be removed with acetone. Nail polisher remover contains all you need to break up these stains.

Plastic Scraper

Finally, if you need to remove hardened adhesive, gum or wax, simply rub the material with ice and then gently pop it from the surface with a plastic scraper.

For more tips about maintaining your floors in Carrollton, call Carpet Mills of America at 972-418-6606. We also offer free in-home flooring consultations if you think your old laminates may need to be replaced with some of today’s more durable and scratch resistant options. We look forward to hearing from you!