Floor Care: Laminate

Regular Maintenance

The surface layer of laminate flooring is hard and compact, so dirt and dust do not adhere to it easily. The following simple steps are usually all it takes to keep your floor clean.

• For general cleaning, use a dust mop, vacuum with the hard-floor attachment of your vacuum cleaner or wipe occasionally with a damp cotton or cloth mop.
• For heavier cleaning, use a mixture of household vinegar and water (one cup vinegar to one gallon warm water) or household ammonia and water (¹/₂ cup ammonia to one gallon warm water). If an accident occurs and a stain remains, you can remove the worst stains with acetone or denatured alcohol on a soft cloth without bleaching or damaging the floor. In a pinch, nail polish remover containing acetone is a handy substitute. Do not use soap or detergent-based cleaners, wax-based products or any type of polish on laminate floors, as they leave a dull, filmy residue.
• There is never a need to wax or refinish your laminate floor.

Protect the Floor

While laminate is remarkably durable, there is of course no such thing as an indestructible flooring material. There are a few simple protective measures that are important to keep your floor looking new.

• To protect your laminate floor from surface scratches, place walk-off area rugs or mats inside any exterior doorway to collect small bits of gravel thay may track in on shoes.
• Use felt floor protectors (available at laminate retailers) on the legs of chairs, sofas, TV stands, tables and other easily movable furniture.
• Replace plastic casters on chairs with rubber wheels and lift rather than slide heavy objects across the floor.
• Minor damage to a laminate plank or tile can be easily repaired with laminate Finishing Putty. If the damaged area is larger than ¹/₄ of an inch, a laminate retailer can recommend a professional to replace an entire plank or tile.

Spot Removal

Laminate stain resistance means peace of mind for you and easy clean up. So, when the inevitable happens, use the following guide for stain and spot removal:

• For chocolate, grease, juice, cordials and wine--use lukewarm water and a non-abrasive cleaner (such as ammonia and water) or Laminate Floor Cleaner.
• For tar, markers, crayon, lipstick, oil, shoe polish, ink, nail polish and cigarette burns--use acetone/nail polish remover or denatured alcohol. Note: Do not use acetone on laminate wallbase or quarter-round.
• For candle wax and chewing gum--let harden and scrape carefully with a blunt plastic scraper.