Extending the Life of Your Laminate Flooring?

Answer 1

Laminate flooring happens to be one of the toughest, most resilient floor coverings currently available. The great part is that it is incredibly easy to care for compared to other flooring such as hardwood.

Protecting the Laminate

Laminate flooring features a resilient coating that prevents gouges into the material beneath. Dirt and debris that comes into the room on the bottom of shoes is one of the leading ways the coating gets scratched. This can be prevented by having mats at the doors or simply removing shoes on entry.

Different types of objects can cause damage to the coating that will require repairs. This is primarily caused by furniture. Furniture will inevitably get bumped or moved throughout the course of the day. The laminate coating can be protected by using protector pads under the supports of the furniture. This will be particularly important for dining chairs that will be slid in and out from the table often.

Moving furniture around the room should always be done by carrying. Dragging it across the laminate is a sure way to create deep gouges in the coating. Always be sure to lift safe!

Cleaning the Laminate

Certain methods of cleaning should not be applied to the laminate coating as they can compromise the integrity of the coating. Cleaning agents specifically designed for laminate flooring are available on the market and should be used for any cleaning duty. Soap, chemical cleaners, and wet mops can all cause damage to the coating or seep into small cracks and cause further damage.

Generally one will spray a cleaner onto a dry mop and briskly mop to clean the flooring. Cleaners are often available in generic and name brands, though some warranties can be invalidated by using a generic cleaner on the laminate flooring. This does not mean there is anything necessarily wrong with the generic equivalent, but different chemical compositions can react in different ways.

These few tips are designed to help you extend the life of your laminate flooring. Problems with the flooring such as gouges or scratches should be taken care of immediately before they become major problems. By keeping these things in mind you will be enjoying your laminate flooring for years to come.