How to Clean and Care for Laminate Floors in Your Home

Laminate flooring is extremely popular for homes thanks to its effortless nature of mimicking the visual of wood, all while being much easier to care for and maintain.

However, just because it’s easier, doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be done right and often. Preventing laminate floor damage can be achieved in several ways, and we’re here to tell you how. Read on to learn how to clean laminate floors and maintain them. 

Why proper care for laminate flooring is essential 

Like all things that need caring for, neglect will result in deterioration and, in turn, lead to reduced performance, diminished aesthetics and eventual failure. Also, while completely neglecting proper care will result in these issues, performing improper care can also lead to a wide handful of problems. Luckily, maintaining laminate flooring properly isn’t hard at all.

Best practices for cleaning laminate floors 

Daily cleaning tips for laminate flooring 

Our first cleaning and laminate floor maintenance tips involve daily cleaning. Don’t worry, you won’t have to scrub until your fingers blister – daily cleaning is as simple and easy as:

• Wiping up spillages as soon as possible – removing excess moisture is key to preventing laminate floor damage  
• Sweeping or vacuuming up dust and dirt – sharp debris can cause scratches to flooring
• Use slightly damp mops or cloths to maintain that laminate shine – ensure these are damp and not wet as too much moisture will cause damage like warping and sinking 
  

These are simple cleaning methods you can perform daily, helping to keep your laminate flooring in pristine condition. Once in a while though, it is also good to perform a deep clean which involves all these practices as well as:

• Using two buckets for damp (not wet) mopping – one for clean water, the other for ringing out the dirt
• Detail clean along baseboards and corners using a damp cloth or small, soft-bristled brush to remove dirt build-up
• Dry the floor thoroughly after vacuuming and damp mopping to eliminate moisture

Cleaning products to avoid on laminate floors

When mopping, you can fill your clean water bucket with a laminates-safe cleaning product, as some products can damage the floor’s finish. For cleaning laminate floors, avoid products such as:

• Wax
• Acrylic products
• Bleach
• Polish

You can also add things like white vinegar or lemon juice to your water to help clean and remove stains without damaging your flooring. 

How to protect laminate floors from damage

Preventing scratches and scuffs

The main culprit of scratches and scuffs to laminate flooring is excess dirt and debris. When not vacuumed or swept up, the dirt can be kicked or dragged across the floor, especially when people wear their shoes, leading to scratches. Additionally, when performing your important daily vacuum care for laminate flooring, attach a soft-bristled brush to avoid scuffing and scratching the floor.  
 
Scuffs can be a little more troublesome, but relatively fresh marks and scuffs can be removed with a microfibre cloth. Ensure the floor is clear of hairs, debris or other materials before tackling the scuffs.

Controlling humidity levels 

Prevention is always better than the cure, so preventing drastic changes in humidity can help with both cleaning and caring for laminate floors. Humidity is one of the main issues for what causes laminate flooring to squeak and other damages.

On top of avoiding excess moisture when cleaning, mitigate it further by opening windows and maintaining a stable indoor temperature. You could also choose to have a dehumidifier if your home is prone to high levels of humidity. 

Fix common laminate floor problems 

Laminate floors are durable and stylish, but like any surface, they encounter problems over time which can also be exacerbated due to poor care and maintenance.  

What causes creaking laminate floors? 

Laminate floors are prone to squeaking because of several reasons. Improper installation and uneven subflooring are some of the main offenders, typically out of the control of the homeowners or tenants.

However, temperature and humidity fluctuations can also cause the boards to shift, causing squeaking noises or looseness which can be irritating, but they are easy to fix.  

How to repair creaking and squeaky laminate floors 

• Identify the source – pinpoint the area of your laminate flooring causing the noises
• Apply Fix-A-Floor adhesive – apply our extra strength bonding adhesive and allow to cure to eliminate creaking sounds and any looseness the floors have
• Level the subfloor – if uneven surfaces are the cause, consider using a floor levelling compound
• Add underlay support – placing thin foam underlay beneath the boards can reduce the annoying noises 

One of these fixes stands out because you’ll be able to repair your laminate flooring without having to remove or replace it. Thanks to our laminate floor repair kit, you can repair numerous problems your floors may be facing, all without removing them.   

Maintenance tips for laminate floors 

Cleaning routines for high-traffic areas 

• Sweep or vacuum daily to remove dirt, dust and debris like food scraps
• Perform a weekly deep clean using safe cleaning solutions and a damp, non-abrasive mop or cloth
• Place rugs or runners in high-traffic zones to minimise wear and tear 

Inspecting and repairing minor damage 

• Check for scratches and wipe any scuffs with a microfibre cloth. Some scratches can be filled with matching filler 
• Dry spills up immediately to prevent swelling or warping
• If laminate boards are beyond repair, swap them out with new ones to maintain the integrity of your floor 

DIY repair solutions for laminate floors 

Maintaining laminate flooring can also come in the form of performing DIY repairs. For repairing loose floorboards, hollowness, as well as annoying squeaking or creaking, try the Fix-A-Floor tile repair kit, able to be used to care for laminate flooring and many other material types.

Final thoughts on laminate floor care 

Now you know how to clean laminate floors, care for them, maintain them and repair a handful of common issues. Addressing problems early and staying on top of our maintenance tips is the key to a successful, long-lasting floor.

For any more information on cleaning or preventing laminate floor damage, or need a squeaky floor repair solution, the experts at Fix-A-Floor are here to help. Our wide range of products is the top choice for homeowners with troubled floors of all types.