Although much easier and simpler to clean than carpets, laminate flooring still requires regular care and maintenance in order for it to stay in top condition. Here Xylo Flooring, who also supply engineered wooden and vinyl flooring to the retail and building trade across the UK, provide the some helpful tips to keep your laminate looking good for years to come.
Put a Mat Down
They say prevention is better than a cure, and that is no different when it comes to prolonging the life of your laminate flooring.
One of the biggest problems is people bringing dirt in from the outside. Stones and gravel can scratch the surface, and aren’t easy to get rid of. However, by simply putting down a doormat and insisting that people take off their shoes, you will prevent this from being a issue.
Likewise, avoid using anything abrasive such as scouring pads and steel wool (as well as some cleaning products) on the floor as these can do more harm than good. For the same reason, avoid shifting furniture around too much as well if it does not have castor wheels.
Brushing or Vacuuming
An occasional sweep with a brush and dustpan will help keep any dirt in check. A regular vacuum is another good way to keep your flooring clear of dust and debris. It is, however, better to use a canister vacuum than an upright model as most will have a hard floor attachment specially designed for this type of surface.
Robot cleaners like the Roomba also work well on laminate flooring, and because they are able to easily guide themselves around your room – or rooms – they save you time, while also keeping your laminate floor clean and in good condition.
Damp Mopping
Mopping doesn’t need to be done as frequently as a vacuuming – around once a month or so should be enough. However, it is important to make sure the mop isn’t soaking wet. This is because if water soaks through, then it can seep through and under the layers, causing the surface to warp.
After mopping, always wipe down to dry more as this will not just prevent potential water damage to your floor, but also reduce the chances of anyone slipping on the surface.
Intensive Cleaning and Specific Problems
For more intensive cleaning, still use a well-wrung damp mop, ideally one made out of microfiber. Alternatively, you can use a floor cloth with a specialist cleaning fluid. However, as mentioned above, it is important to ensure that the floor is thoroughly dried afterwards.
Sometimes things like candlewax or gum can be dropped on and stick to the laminate. In such cases, you can use ice to harden it before scraping it off with a plastic scraper. Afterwards, give it a good wipe down.
If All Else Fails…
If a laminate floor does suffer irrevocable damage, it is relatively simple to repair a small section. This is because it consists of interlocking pieces which form one large surface. So you do not have to take up the whole floor to make a repair.
Xylo’s laminate flooring comes with a lifetime warranty for domestic use and a five-year warranty for commercial use.
Laminate Flooring from Xylo Flooring
Xylo have two different collections of laminate flooing to choose from, our Urban Herringbone collection, an example of which is pictured above, and our London collection. Each range comes in a wide variety of different styles and colours.
As well as supplying and installing high-quality laminate flooring, Xylo also stock a range of OSMO maintenance products. These include floor protectors, Dr Schutz laminate floor cleaner and floor mops. For a full list of these products, click here.
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