Laminate flooring has come a long way from the cheap-looking 1980’s flooring of yester-year. Still, some things have remained the same about the proper care of your new laminate floor. Here, then, is a list of do’s and don’ts to consider about laminate floors:
- DON’T use wax, polish, or abrasive cleaners to clean your hardwood floor. This can ruin the look of the floor and, with time, disintegrate it.
- DO make sure that there’s a subfloor between the foundation and the laminate flooring. This will aide in the proper insulation of the flooring.
- DON’T put laminate flooring over carpeting. This may seem self-evident, but you’d be amazed at what people do to their homes without realizing the damage!
- DO use a microfiber dust mop to clean your laminate floor. If you must use a cleaner, apply it directly to the dust mop, not to the floor.
- DON’T seal your laminate floor. The floor is already sealed.
- DO protect your laminate floor from the elements by closing the drapes or blinds. Elements such as sunlight and extreme cold can negatively affect your laminate flooring – sunlight causes the laminate to fade, and extreme cold can cause the subfloor to swell and warp.
- DON’T use a steamer or “WetJet” product to clean your laminate floor. Steam, like any other extreme temperature cleaner, can permanently damage a laminate floor or its subfloor. As for “WetJet” products: many times, the chemicals in these products are extremely harsh, which can also damage the floor.
- DO use a vacuum that doesn’t have a beater brush to pick up excess debris from the floor before mopping.
