Laminate flooring has been and remains to be tremendously popular with homeowners. It’s so hard to pick just one benefit! Attractive designs? Yes. Is Higley practical? Yes. Affordable? Yes. Since its invention in the 1970s, it’s gone from strength to strength – with striking designs and extraordinary durability, laminate is unstoppable! But what makes it so different from its competitor, that makes so many homeowners rush out and buy it? Here’s a little guide…
What You’ll Need
Before you purchase any new floor, you’ll need to make sure that you have all the required equipment. Most of these you’ll probably already have, but just in case you don’t here’s a quick list:
-Bucket
-Laminate Floor Cleaner
-Sweeping Brush
-Floor Cloth
-Acetone
-Dust Pan and Brush
-Microfibre Mop
-Vacuum Cleaner
If you’re really wanting to go all out then you can purchase a purpose-built cleaning kit, this is guaranteed to give you the best results!
Sweeping and Mopping
With there being so many things coming into contact with your floor, it’s inevitable that it’s going to get dirty. Although laminate doesn’t hold any extra dirt like, it’s best to complete a daily sweep and mop (ideally of course, it’ll last if you don’t). This will avoid the boards getting scratched or going dull. You have to be careful with what vacuum attachment you use as well, as some of the unsympathetic bristles can scratch. Debris and stones can scratch too so remove these to prevent further scratches.
Mopping
Laminate is effortlessly water-resistant, however, surplus moisture can cause damage, and sometimes your boards can move. We’d also recommend cleaning up any spillages and splashed as soon as possible as these can cause long-term damage. If anything like this does happen, use a microfibre cloth – hopefully eliminating any slimy marks. Don’t use detergent, ammonite dot chlorinated cleaning products. Remember to always dry your laminate straight after cleaning, this will not only protect it against warping and shrinkages but keep your boards looking great!
Heavy Duty
After having your laminate for some time, sometimes more severe action is needed. If you accidentally scrape your boards, then don’t worry! There is a way to remove them. Apply your cleaning solution to a dry cloth and rub off scuff marks securely and for more stubborn marks, use acetone. For hard set grime such as chewing gum or candle wax, a dry cloth won’t cut it. Instead, use ice to harden the spot and simply scrape off.
Removing Stains
Stains are any homeowner’s worst nightmare and people often think that as soon as your floor stains, it’s game over. Luckily, this isn’t the case with laminate. If the stain has been caused by beverages, start by removing any neighboring debris as soon as possible.
With scuff marks, thoroughly wipe the stain away with a dry cloth before using your microfibre and cleaning solution. For oil, ink or makeup, or anything oil-based, dab acetone to your cloth and wipe until been removed.
