Want a shiny, clean floor? Looking to add some sparkle to your laminate flooring? It might be time for deep cleaning to bring back that new floor look.
Laminate floors have come a long way. These hard floors used to be considered an alternative to carpets. Now, laminate floors are viewed as the more gentle flooring option for homes with kids, pets, or rickety old knees.
If your laminate floors are starting to look worn, don’t despair. It’s a myth that a deep clean will ruin these floors. With the proper deep cleaning methods and a little elbow grease, your floor will shine again.
Read on and learn how to deep clean laminate floors.
Clear the Area
When it comes to deep cleaning laminate floors, the first step in the process should be to clear the area of furniture, rugs, and any other items that may be in the area to prevent damage to non-laminate surfaces. This will give you the room you need to effectively clean the laminate floors.
It helps you ensure that you don’t accidentally get any cleaning products onto any of your furniture or other surfaces. This is because these products can make them deteriorate over time.
Additionally, this step can also minimize the area in which dirt and dust may be spread as you clean the laminate. That way when you’re done cleaning, the majority of the dirt won’t be evenly distributed throughout the room instead of just concentrated in one area.
Sweep or Vacuum
Sweeping or vacuuming before deep cleaning laminate floors is important for two reasons. First, it is important to remove any dirt or debris before cleaning. This will reduce the amount of residue that will be left after the deep cleaning process.
Second, sweeping or vacuuming removes any abrasive particles which could potentially damage the floor. Doing so will leave your floor looking less worn out than it would if these particles were left floating around on the surface during the deep cleaning process.
When sweeping and vacuuming make sure you use a dust mop or any best laminate flooring mop with fine or non-abrasive material and soft bristles or an attachment designed for use on laminate flooring. Use a steady, back-and-forth motion that will pick up dirt but not scratch the surface of the floor.
When vacuuming use a setting just strong enough to suck up all the dirt. Be careful not to use too high of suction, as this can damage the finish on the floor. Make sure to go over all edges, crevices, and seams to ensure all dirt particles have been lifted from the Laminate flooring.
Choose the Right Cleaner
When deep cleaning laminate floors, it is important to use the right cleaner or consider preparing your best homemade laminate floor cleaner. Cheap, generic, and/or harsh cleaning products can damage the surface of the laminate flooring. It can even remove the protective layer. This layer should be protected and kept intact for easy cleaning and to extend the life of the floors.
Choosing the right cleaner is simple. First, look for cleaning products specifically designed for laminate flooring. These cleaners should feature ingredients that are safe for use on the surface.
They should also be non-abrasive, which means no harsh ingredients such as bleach. Certain products will also include protective agents, which add another layer of protection to the laminate flooring.
What Are Non-abrasive Cleaners
Nonabrasive cleaners are an ideal choice for deep cleaning, as they are much more gentle on surfaces than regular cleaners. This means that they are much less likely to cause damage. Nonabrasive cleaners are usually manufactured using natural ingredients. They are often more effective and gentle than regular cleaners.
This makes them ideal for use in deep cleaning, as they can penetrate deeper into the surface of objects. It helps remove dirt and grime that cannot be removed using regular cleaners. Nonabrasive cleaners can also be used to clean a range of surfaces, from carpets to upholstery, restoring their original clean and fresh appearance.
What Are Protective Agents
Deep cleaning agents are a type of product that guard and protect surfaces from potential bacteria and other harmful build-up. Protective agents are typically used on hard surfaces such as:
- countertops
- tables
- floors
They usually contain anti-bacterial and anti-fungal ingredients to help deter the growth of bacteria and germs on the surface. These agents are meant to be applied before deep cleaning and can help reduce the amount of scrubbing or chemical cleaning that is needed.
They can also reduce the amount of product needed to get the best results in deep cleaning. Protective agents can help keep surfaces looking and smelling fresh for longer periods. They are an effective way to protect surfaces from bacteria and keep them free of dirt, grime, and other build-up.
Additionally, these floor cleaners should be designed to minimize moisture and reduce the risk of damage to the core of the floor. Finally, always follow manufacturers’ instructions when cleaning the floor.
Test in a Small Area
It is important to test any cleaning solution you plan to use on a laminate floor in a small area before treating the entire floor. This allows you to see how the floor responds to the cleaning solution. This also helps you to avoid any potential damage.
Testing in a small area first allows you to get an up-close look to ensure the cleaning solution is safe for the laminate floor. Additionally, testing in a small area can help you determine how long the solution should be left on the floor before it is rinsed off.
This is particularly important because leaving the cleaning solution on the floor for too long can result in discoloration of the laminate floor. Finally, testing the cleaning solution in a small area allows you to determine if the solution is effective for removing dirt and grime from the laminate floor.
Damp Mop
Damp mopping is quick and easy, as it requires little clean up and less labor than other more intensive cleaning methods. When selecting a mop for damp mopping, it is important to look for one specifically designed for laminate floors; mops designed for tile and other harder surfaces may be too abrasive on laminate flooring.
With the damp mop, begin by thoroughly spraying the floor with the pH-neutral cleaner you prepared that is specially designed for laminate and wood floors. Then, using long strokes and overlapping passes, mop from one end of the room to the other. With each pass, ensure the mop is re-spraying the floor with the cleaning solution as needed.
When finished, allow the floors to completely air dry before walking on them, or use a soft lint-free cloth to wipe away any excess moisture. This method of damp mopping will leave your laminate floors looking like new.
Focus on Stains
With the unique composition of laminate flooring, it is important to focus on stains during the deep cleaning process. This is because traditional chemicals and cleaners that are often effective on other floors may be too harsh or abrasive for laminate surfaces.
Therefore, focusing on stains first will help ensure that your floor is not further damaged during the cleaning process. Start by addressing the most difficult or stubborn stains first.
Allow for the cleaner to sit and work into the stain before scrubbing it away with the cloth. If necessary, increase the amount of cleaning agent and repeat the process until the stain is gone.
Rinse the Mop
When deep cleaning your laminate floors, it is important to rinse the mop to prevent a buildup of any residue that was gathered during the cleaning process. Residue can cause discoloration and dull the shine of the laminate.
The important reason to rinse the mop is that most laminate floors are coated in a protective layer that could be broken down by the products used to clean the laminate and damage the floors. Rinsing the mop will ensure that all of the cleaning agents have been thoroughly removed.
It’s not necessary to rinse the floor itself as the remaining water will evaporate on its own. So, take time to rinse the mop after it’s been used to clean the laminate floors, to maintain the life and luster of your laminate floor.
Rinse the Floor
Rinsing after deep cleaning laminate floors ensures that any residual cleaning product is removed from the surface of the floor. It also ensures that any dirt or sediment that has been dislodged from the floor during the cleaning process is also removed.
Even if the cleaning product used is labeled as ‘no rinse’, the floor should still be rinsed to ensure that all dirt and particles have been removed. Rinsing also makes it easier to buff and polish the floors during the final steps of cleaning. Finally, a rinse will give the floors a shinier, more polished overall look.
Dry the Floor
Once you have finished deep cleaning the laminate floors, it is important to cover them with a dry cloth. Drying any type of hard floor is essential to prevent water damage. When laminate floors are wet for too long, warping and buckling can occur. It can also cause discoloration over time.
Drying the laminate floors allows them to keep their original beauty and luster too. Additionally, it helps to increase the life of the floors, while keeping them in pristine condition.
Add Shine
Once finished drying, you may want to consider finishing with a shine to enhance the look of your floor. To do this, you can use either a commercial laminate floor polish or make your own with oil and vinegar or mineral oil and lemon juice.
This will help keep the floor looking clean and shiny and make it easier to wipe away any dirt that accumulates in the future. Moreover, the shine adds an extra layer of protection against scratches and scuffs.
Regular Maintenance
Regular maintenance of laminate floors is essential to keep it looking good just like the Mohawk’s most realistic laminate floor. It helps avoid the need to deep clean more frequently. To prevent dirt and dust from settling in and to maintain the shine, it is important to frequently vacuum and/or sweep the floor.
Additionally, a damp mop should be used regularly to remove debris and to deter residue from accumulating. This should be done, even when there are no obvious floors. Doing so will help to lift any dirt which could have worked into the seams and cracks of the flooring.
Furthermore, using the correct flooring cleaner will leave the laminate floor looking shining and new and will help to protect its longevity. Regular maintenance is the key to avoiding an in-depth clean in the long run, so make sure you don’t forget regular upkeep!
Periodic Polishing
Periodic polishing is an important step in deep-cleaning laminate floors. Doing this every three to six months can help sustain your floors and keep them looking beautiful and new. Before starting, get the necessary supplies such as a soft cloth, a laminate floor polish, and a broom.
First, dust and debris must be stripped off the laminate with the broom. Next, apply a thin layer of polish to the floor in even strokes. Wipe off and buff dry with the cloth. Finally, dispose of the waste materials appropriately.
Missing this step can make your floors susceptible to scratches and damage. To ensure that your laminate floors last long and stay beautiful, don’t forget to periodically polish them.
Follow These Steps on How to Deep Clean Laminate Floors
Now, do you know how to deep clean laminate floors? Cleaning your laminate floors is a simple process when you know the right steps to take.
Taking the time to deep clean them will help remove dirt and grime, and restore shine. Regular deep cleaning can improve the lifespan of the flooring. So take advantage of the information provided and start deep-cleaning today!
Should you wish to explore more topics aside from learning how to make laminate floors shine, visit our blog page.
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