How to Keep Your Laminate Flooring Looking Brand New For Years to Come

Check out these simple tips on how to clean and maintain your laminate flooring.

Laminate flooring has become increasingly popular amongst Aussie homeowners in recent years for its durability and desirable aesthetics. 

Among other benefits, laminate flooring is perhaps mainly known for its ability to mimic the genuine good looks of timber and natural stone and for a fraction of the cost.

Unlike traditional hardwood flooring, laminate is also very easy to clean and maintain, providing you are using the correct methods.

Now, if you’re thinking there is some sort of secret formula to keeping your laminate flooring looking schmick all year round, you won’t find one because there isn’t one.

However, there are certain things that you shouldn’t do and use, which we will reveal later on in this article.

• The best ways to clean laminate flooring
• The best ways to maintain laminate flooring
• The DOs and DON’Ts

How to clean laminate flooring

• Clean up spills as soon as they happen using a damp cloth. Carefully blot the area making sure not to push the liquid around by wiping.
• For tougher spot cleans such as oil, paint, makeup, lipstick or ink, apply some acetone or nailpolish remover on a clean white cloth or cotton pad. Wipe the area with a damp cloth to remove remaining residue and avoid using too much water.
• Regularly sweep or vacuum the floor to prevent dirt from being tracked around the house, which can scratch the finish and lose its shine if caught underfoot. 
• A vacuum will allow you to remove allergens more successfully than a broom which will often just disperse them into the air before resettling.
• Every so often you’ll need to clean the floors using a mop or microfibre mop. It’s important to keep water levels to a minimum. A wet mop must be rung out thoroughly before use, so you do not damage the laminate core.
• For tough spot cleans such as candle wax or gum, use some ice to harden the area and gently scrape off using a plastic card. Wipe the area with a clean damp cloth to remove any residue.

Home-made laminate cleaning solution

Avoid cleaning laminate floors with abrasive and harsh chemicals, especially bleach, as well as using too much water. The best cleaning solution for laminate can be made using ingredients found in your home. Fill a spray bottle up with equal parts vinegar and warm water, or if you don’t like the smell of vinegar, use a few drops of essential oil such as lemon, eucalyptus, lavender etc. 

Another option is to contact your flooring manufacturer and request a cleaning solution recommendation.

How to maintain your laminate flooring

• Place mats at entry points to collect and prevent dirt, sand, grit and other debris from being tracked onto the floor and around the house.
• Make sure to use approved vinyl rug underlayment to prevent slippage.
• Use floor protectors on all heavy furniture to minimise scratches and indentations. For heavier objects, opt for wide-load bearing leg bases.
• Perth is known for its extreme humidity and temperature fluctuations. Maintain humidity levels between 35% to 65% throughout the year to minimise natural expansion and contraction of the wood.
• Trim your pets nails regularly to prevent them from scratching the laminate.
• Always lift heavy objects or furniture and not slide.
• For heavy objects and furniture use protective mats or castors.

DONTS

• Avoid using steam cleaners and wet mops at all costs. Excess moisture can cause irreparable damage to your floor.
• Do not use a vacuum with a beater bar as this will scratches, indentations and cause irreversible damage. 
• Avoid all harsh and abrasive cleaners, oil-soap detergent, soap, chlorinated, bleach, strong ammoniated or any other liquid cleaning product. This may cause swelling and warping, resulting in separation between joints and void the warranty.
• Avoid using any buffing or polishing machines. 

How to remove scuff marks from laminate flooring

There are a couple of methods to remove scuff marks safely from laminate flooring without damaging it. 

1. Tennis ball method: Using a clean tennis ball, gently buff the scuff mark out with little pressure.
2. Use a damp cloth or microfibre cloth and gently wipe the scuff mark.
3. White pencil eraser: Make sure it’s a brand new eraser, dampen a microfibre cloth and wipe the scuff mark. Rub the eraser with gentle pressure over the scuff mark until it disappears. Sweep away eraser shavings immediately after.
4. Nail polish/acetone: Dampen a microfibre or clean cloth with some nail polish remover/acetone and gently rub the scuff until it disappears. Use a clean damp cloth to wipe away leftover residue and dry off excess moisture.

If you’re ever in any doubt when it comes to cleaning and maintaining laminate floorings, we recommend speaking to a professional or asking your rep. Using abrasive cleaners or damaging products can cause irreparable damage to laminate and may even void warranties. Contact our helpful team at Jupps Floor Coverings Perth for expert advice.