Cleaning and Caring for Your Laminate Wood Floor

There are many benefits of having a laminate wood floor. Affordability, durability, being able to install it anywhere within your home and easy care are only a few of the reasons why so many people opt for this type of flooring. Although cleaning your laminate wood floor is simple, there are a few things to keep in mind. Failing to clean your laminate wood floor properly can easily result in damage.

One of the first things that can't be stated enough is to always read the manufacturer's care instructions. Laminate wood floors contain sealant, some products tend to strip this away. When this happens the floor becomes faded and dingy looking. Avoid any type of harsh and/or gritty substances when cleaning as this will also cause similar results. In addition, if you choose to purchase a cleaner make sure that you check their instructions too. Often, many cleaning products advise against the use of the product on laminate flooring on the label.

For my laminate wood floor, I use a gentle solution of vinegar and water. Unless the floor is waxed, it only requires about a half cup of vinegar to a gallon of water. However, if the floors have been recently waxed or not cleaned in between waxing you may want to consider using a whole cup of vinegar. Unlike cleaning products available on the market, this homemade cleaning solution will not strip away any of the sealant of the floor. Using my own cleaning solution has added to both the beauty and longevity of my laminate wood flooring.

Another thing to keep in mind when it comes to cleaning a laminate floor is what you clean it with. Using a mop that needs to be ringed out by hand is a thing of the past, thankfully. Do not use this type of mop for your floor or any mop that is going to leave excess water. This leads to spots and possibly future damage. Typically, I have found that cleaning by hand works best and do away with the mop altogether. Using a towel or one of the special cleaning cloths for a vehicle creates a really nice finish without leaving the excess water. Drying your laminate wood floor after cleaning is not necessary but will not hurt either. If you anticipate waxing after cleaning it is recommended though. This is one of the safest and simplest ways to clean and care for your laminate wood floor.