Top tips for cleaning your laminate flooring
Laminate flooring is enduringly popular, and it’s easy to see why. With so many finishes and styles, this is a hardwearing and stylish flooring solution. Most of us know how to keep tiles clean and experienced homeowners have a trick or two in their back pockets regarding carpets. But what about laminate? Is it hard to keep laminate flooring looking shiny and new? And how do you keep it spotless? Read on to find out more.
Some laminate myths debunked
Perhaps you’ve heard that laminate looks like ‘cheap’ wood or that it scratches and warps easily. This may have been the case many years ago when laminate first came into use. However, modern laminate flooring is very different. It is incredibly scratch and stain-resistant. Best of all, good quality laminate flooring is hard to distinguish from natural wood. The only significant differences you’ll find with contemporary laminate are that it’s more budget-friendly and that plank patterns repeat themselves, unlike natural wood, which will be entirely distinct. Laminate is often a little smoother than natural wood. None of these are bad things, however. After all, there are many reasons why we sell so much laminate at Carpet Design and Flooring.
Tips and tricks for keeping your laminate fresh
The best cleaners are usually the simplest ones, which is true for laminate. If you make up a solution of vinegar and water (one cup of vinegar for a gallon of lukewarm water), you can easily clean your laminate. This kind of homemade cleaner is cheap and won’t hurt the environment (or you). It’s pet and child-friendly while still removing stains and odours. Use sparingly in accordance with the laminate manufacturer’s instructions.
Top tips: Always remove stains as soon as you spot them and follow up with a dry cloth to avoid any moisture sinking between the boards. If you’re feeling adventurous or don’t want to miss out on those appealing cleaner scents we’re all used to, you can add a drop or two of your favourite essential oil to your homemade cleaning solution. We like lavender for a calming scent, orange for a bright and uplifting summer fragrance, and tea tree with lemon if you want an added antibacterial effect.
Cleaning laminate flooring doesn’t have to be daunting at all. With some added essential oils, it can even be relaxing!
If you don’t have laminate in your home yet, but we have convinced you to get some, we’re here and ready to show you our incredible range. At Carpet Design and Flooring, we’re always happy to help!