Laminate wood flooring has been around for many years and is gaining popularity in homes all over the country. If you are looking to get a new floor covering, you might want to consider this type of floor covering. It is relatively easy to care for, but there are a few different ways that you can care for it so that it will last a long time. It is important that you have high quality flooring installed and you can find some great options at places such as https://www.irwintiles.ie/wooden-flooring/laminate-flooring. One of the biggest concerns that people have about this type of flooring is that it is very slippery. In order to keep your floor safe and happy, it is important that you follow a few tips on how to clean your laminate flooring.
The number one tip when it comes to cleaning this type of flooring is that you should never use any kind of commercial cleaning detergent when cleaning it. Many people unknowingly use commercial cleaners on their flooring without realising the damage that it can cause such as it turning into a slimy green mess that will make your flooring look terrible.
The next tip that you need to remember is that you should only use a damp cloth to clean your Laminate Flooring. Any kind of hard or scratchy cloth will do the job fine, but a dry cloth will be much better for it. If you are using a wet cloth while cleaning your floor, then all that water that is left over on the floor will end up causing mold and mildew to occur, and this can be avoided by using a dry cloth.
Caring for other floors in the home
Most homes have a mix of floor types, and each needs slightly different care. The basic rule for laminate is to vacuum and dry mop, avoiding lots of water and soapy detergent, which dull the finish, and wax polish, which makes the surface slippery.
Vinyl can be treated much like laminate, although a mild detergent is fine, and washing-up liquid can shift stubborn marks. Sealed wood floors are cared for in the same way as laminate. Waxed wood needs regular vacuuming and a non-slip floor polish when required. Over time dirt and polish build up, so the old wax will need removing with white spirit, and the floor cleaning and drying, before starting again.
Quarry and ceramic tiles can be washed with detergent after vacuuming, but avoid wax polish for safety reasons. For terracotta tiles, use the cleaner, polish and sealant recommended by the supplier, who will know which products suit them best.
What to do if a laminate or wood floor gets flooded
Even the best floor care can’t prevent a burst pipe or a leaking appliance. If water reaches your floor, safety comes first. Turn off the water at the stopcock and, if it is safe to do so, switch off the electricity at the consumer unit before touching anything near sockets. Then contact your home insurer, as they may want photographs and will often arrange specialist drying.
Speed matters. Remove standing water as quickly as possible with a wet vacuum and towels, take up rugs, and get air moving with fans, open windows and a dehumidifier. Laminate is particularly vulnerable because its core is made from compressed wood fibre. Once that core soaks up water and swells, the boards usually can’t be saved and will need replacing. Solid hardwood stands a better chance of being dried and restored if it is dealt with quickly, though it may still cup or warp and need sanding once fully dry.