Cleaning laminate correctly

Laminate is one of the most durable modern coatings, which is often used in apartments, cottages and country houses. It has a number of advantages, thanks to which it holds its own in the consumer market. Since the material is of natural origin, it is advisable to consider methods and means for washing laminate flooring.

Features of care

Cleaning the canvas has some features:

1. It is necessary to select suitable cleaning equipment.
2. If there are no complex stains, you need to wash the laminate without chemicals.
3. For greasy and chemical stains, you need to choose a specialized product.
4. Silicone mats, pads, and rubber wheels on furniture will protect the coating from mechanical stress.

Wear resistance classes

Wear resistance class is one of the main characteristics of parquet. Based on this principle, a coating is selected for certain operating conditions.

Lamellas of level 21-23 have proven themselves to be an impractical material with a limited service life, therefore, today, class 31-33 is in demand.

Wear resistance is:

• Minimum wear resistance – AC1, AC2;
• Average degree – AC3,AC4;
• High wear resistance – AC5.

Cleaning equipment

Laminate flooring is cleaned several times a week. The surface is cleaned using equipment for various purposes.

For dry cleaning:

• broom, brush, but not with hard bristles;
• vacuum cleaner with a soft brush;

For wet cleaning:

• mop with a sponge or microfiber cloth;
• bucket;

For final coating after cleaning:

• flannel rag;
• polish.

Don't underestimate the role of inventory. It is the correctly selected tools that keep wood flooring looking presentable for a long time.

Special household chemicals

Manufacturers have presented a special harmless line of products that will help clean parquet flooring without difficulty.

• Emsal. The universal German laminate product Emsal is used for washing floors and any other laminated surfaces. It effectively fights the most serious stains such as stains from glue, paint, wax, grease.
• H.G. A fairly effective detergent composition performs two functions at once: cleansing and protective. It contains added fragrances that fill the room with a pleasant smell. The gloss remains after use.
• Unicum. Unicum Cleaner removes dirt without leaving streaks. Disinfects the coating, protects it, leaves shine and a pleasant smell.
• Starwax. Detergent emulsion made in France. Quite a concentrated product for frequent use. Removes surface contaminants. Doesn't leave any shine after use.There is no need to rinse off Starwax with water, as it does not form a slippery layer.
• Denkmit. Cleaning laminate flooring with Denkmit allows you to not only clean it, but also protect the laminate flooring from moisture. It removes dirt and bacteria and forms a glossy wax film.
• Emsal Laminate. A special composition for cleaning the floor, which is based on soap and linseed oil. This product provides cleanliness, protection from moisture, and gloss. Using a rag, Emsal Laminate is applied to the coating in a small amount. An excess of product and hot water leaves streaks.
• Mister proper. Quickly and effectively copes with dirt on any surface, including laminated floors. The product washes off easily, leaves no streaks, and smells pleasant.
• Other popular means. In addition to the above household chemicals, you can wash laminate flooring: Glutoclean, Luxus, Dr. cleaner. Schutz.

Folk remedies

If you don’t trust store-bought chemicals for cleaning laminate flooring, there are folk remedies that are less harmful to health and cope with stains just as well.

• use distilled white vinegar, lemon juice, ethyl alcohol for regular cleaning;
• shine can be created by diluting ordinary dishwashing detergent with water;
• baking soda is an excellent dirt cleaner;
• a warm soapy solution will remove greasy stains.

Having decided how to wash the laminate, it is also necessary to properly prepare the solution. For example, soda should not be poured onto the slats to avoid scratching. It is better to mix it with warm water and remove the stain.

What not to use

The surface cannot be cleaned using aggressive chemicals, since the natural material is finicky to care for.

• chlorine-containing substances.This chlorine component is often found in disinfectants. It can eat away color and spoil wooden material;
• acetone-containing preparations dissolve the protective layer and also damage the structure;
• powdery substances have abrasive particles. Their use leads to mechanical damage and scratches;
• hard rags and sponges can also damage the top layer;
• solvents spoil the coating, destroying the protective film;
• acids and alkaline components corrode and leave an unnatural dullness on the surface;
• Wax products are often used to add shine. However, without certain skills this is not easy to do. Using this chemical can leave a stain.

Hardware methods

In addition to chemical methods, you can use hardware methods for cleaning the material using household appliances.

Washing vacuum cleaner

Without a doubt, a modern device will help you quickly cope with cleaning work. However, there are nuances to the washing process. It is necessary to determine the moisture resistance of the coating, since the mechanism involves abundant wetting of the floor.

There is a downside to using a vacuum cleaner. The surface deteriorates and becomes dull. This occurs due to uneven spraying of the detergent composition.

Steam Mop

This is a very effective floor cleaning tool. But it can only be used if the boards were laid on an adhesive basis. It is important to prevent water from getting into the joints; the floor may swell and lose its former appearance.

Steam cleaner

This treatment involves steam exposure. Therefore, this cleaning method is not suitable for laminate flooring without a protective layer and open seams.Steam can damage the surface by deforming the material.

How to properly wash a laminate floor

At home, cleaning is carried out according to the following instructions:

1. Before washing, all debris and other accumulations are cleaned. For this, you will need a broom with a soft brush.
2. Next, remove dust using a vacuum cleaner with a special nozzle. Pay special attention to the corners.
3. Dilute the detergent in water according to the instructions.
4. Wash the floor in two stages. The first time, wet the mop in water, wring it out and wipe a small area. Then repeat the procedure.
5. If the product used, according to the instructions, requires rinsing, then change the composition in the bucket to clean water and go over it again.

Which mop

There are several types of mops for laminate: household, with wringing, universal, steam, professional. All of them absorb moisture quickly enough and do not require abundant wetting. When choosing a cleaning tool, pay attention to the main nuances:

• the area of ​​the room for which you are purchasing a mop;
• laminate laying;
• for what purposes in general the tool will be used.

What kind of rag

The best option for laminate is a microfiber rag. It does not smear dirt, perfectly absorbs moisture, does not fade, does not change its structure even after prolonged use.

The nuances of washing light and dark laminate

Laminate flooring is divided into two color types: light and dark. Accordingly, there are differences in their care.

Cleaning white laminate is carried out according to the standard scheme. The main thing to start is to remove sand and small debris with a broom so as not to scratch the floor.

With a black coating, it is a little more difficult.It shows imperfections, stains, dust and small particles. Therefore, wet cleaning alone is not enough. The first step is to clean the dirt, and then any remaining water. If desired, use polish.

How to wash laminate flooring to make it shine

In any store there is a sufficient amount of preparations for the shine of lamellas. They are used according to the manufacturer's instructions. However, there are also homemade formulations that you can prepare yourself.

1. For a radiant shine, you can prepare a soap solution based on mild PH. Baby soap or shower gel will do. For 10 l. you will need 5 tbsp. chosen remedy.
2. Our grandmothers also used vinegar. Place 2 tbsp in a bucket. l. vinegar. It not only adds shine, but also copes well with dirt.
3. A unique homemade shine polish. It’s easy to prepare: a glass of lemon juice and two waters, add 1.5 tbsp. vinegar, a teaspoon of dish soap. Mix everything and apply it to the slats using a soft cloth.

Recommendations for dry cleaning

Dry cleaning is necessary to remove surface contamination. Any tools are used: a vacuum cleaner with a soft attachment, a dry broom, microfiber mops and microfiber rags. It is advisable to carry out this activity every day to keep the surface tidy.

Tips for cleaning after renovation

If you did not protect the surface from serious contamination during repairs, there are options that will help solve the problems.

1. You can remove paint using acetone or ethyl alcohol. But apply liquids in small quantities only directly to the stain.
2. Putty.The remaining white coating is removed with a damp cloth.
3. Damage and scratches can be covered with a wax pencil or repair paste.
4. If the laminate is burned. It is better not to try to restore stains on your own. It is better to seek help from a specialist.

Removing stains of various origins

Stains on the floor can form from anything, the main thing is to know how to quickly get rid of them without causing mechanical damage.

• Oily spots. In order to get rid of oily contamination, it is frozen. Apply ice to the contaminated area, and after freezing remove it with a rubber scraper. You can also wipe the stain with soapy water.
• Water stains. After wet cleaning, stains may remain. To eliminate them, you need to rinse the floor again with water and vinegar.
• Ink stains. If we are talking about ink marks, you can use a special product or carefully wipe it off with acetone.
• The wax is removed with a thin plastic scraper, and then polish is sprayed on the area where the stain was.
• Marker marks. The marker can be erased with acetone. First wipe the stain with a dampened cloth and then dry it.
• Traces of blood. Dried blood is washed off with glass cleaning spray. Spray the product onto the stain and wipe with a damp cloth.
• Chewing gum and plasticine. Apply vegetable oil to the stuck chewing gum. After a few minutes, it is removed with a cloth. Remaining grease is removed with water and dishwashing detergent. Plasticine can be frozen and scraped off after hardening.
• Nail polish can be removed with nail polish remover. The main thing is to prevent liquid from getting on the clean floor.
• Dark shoe streaks, shoe polish.Traces of shoe polish can be removed by vinegar, acetone, and baking soda solution. Wipe first with the composition and then with a dry cloth.
• Zelenka, iodine. Zelenka and iodine are alcohol-based, so alcohol-based compounds can remove stains.

Recommendations for caring for laminate flooring

Coatings of natural origin quickly deteriorate due to improper cleaning of stains and aggressive agents. The following recommendations will help you avoid operating errors:

• Moisture and dirt can quickly eat into the slats; it is better to remove stains immediately.
• The surface must be washed with a special laminate cleaner.
• Mechanical damage most often appears at the front door from heels and other shoes with hard soles. The silicone mat protects the coating from scratches.
• Eliminate chips and cracks in a timely manner to prevent further damage to the material.

Knowing all the cleaning methods will make cleaning your house a pleasant experience. It is up to you to decide which tool to use for this.