This guide explains why a proper cleaning routine is essential if you want to protect against bacteria such as E.coli and prolong the life of your laminate flooring.
How Should You Clean Laminate Flooring?
You might think the only way to clean laminate flooring is with a light touch and that deeper cleans are for carpets only. The reality is that different situations call for different techniques. Therefore, you can never say definitively that there’s a 'best way' to clean laminate flooring.
Sometimes you need to remove superficial dust and dirt, other times you need to attack bacteria on a molecular level. Then, of course, you need to consider the setting. Are you running a business where laminate floors are exposed to more people and bacteria? If so, you need to carry out deeper cleans more frequently.
If, however, you’re in a building that’s less open to the public, deep cleans might be a weekly occurrence backed by daily lighter cleans. Context is important when it comes to the cleaning of laminate flooring.
Context and Surfaces Matter
Only once you’ve assessed the situation and determined the most appropriate technique can you clean a laminate surface. The final consideration before you clean laminate flooring is the surface and the chemicals it can withstand. Some surfaces are more robust than others, so choosing a suitable laminate cleaner is essential.
Jontec Tensol from Diversey is formulated for everyday use on virtually all laminate surfaces. This is the perfect option for almost all scenarios.
How to Clean Laminate Floors: Light Clean
A light clean can be defined as the process of removing surface debris such as dust and dirt. The best way to perform a light clean on laminate floors is:
Step 1: Pile Up Debris
Brush any large pieces of debris into a pile/s. You should use a soft brush for this. Putting the largest pieces of debris into piles makes it easier to spot any problem areas that might need a deeper cleaning later. It also makes it easier to capture all the loose debris i.e. it doesn’t get scattered as easily when you’re moving around the room with a vacuum cleaner.
Step 2: Vacuum
Go over the surface with a vacuum cleaner. Make sure the head of the cleaner is suitable for hard surfaces, such as laminate.
Step 3: Focus on the Edges
Go along the edges of the room with a vacuum cleaner or brush for a second time. Dirt and debris can often get lodged in corners and/or under skirting boards. A second run with the vacuum/brush ensures you capture as much of the debris as possible.
Step 4: Spot Clean
The final step in a light cleaning routine for laminate floors is using a chemical solution on problem areas. The surface may not require a complete deep clean, but there may be an area or two where grease and grim have built up.
In these instances, you can use a product such as Jontec Tensol. Part of the Diversey floor care range, this non-alkaline formula is ideal for daily use and can be applied directly from a spray can. This makes it an easy, hygienic solution for spot-cleaning laminate floors.
How to Clean Laminate Floors: Deep Clean
A deep clean can be defined as the process of removing bacteria such as E.coli. In general, deeper cleans should be performed as necessary or once/twice a month to prevent a build of moisture. Why does moisture matter? Because too much can damage the floor.
The deep cleaning of laminate flooring involves these steps:
Complete Steps 1-3
Follow steps 1-3 from the previous section.
Step 4: Apply the Laminate Cleaner
Choosing an appropriate cleaning solution is essential, as we’ve explained. The Diversey floor care range features neutral cleaners for everyday use as well as heavy-duty degreasers. It’s also important to note that you shouldn’t oversaturate laminate flooring. This is because laminate doesn’t breathe like natural wood floors.
If too much liquid penetrates the surface, it will stay locked inside and rot the laminate. This can also promote the growth of mould and bacteria. Therefore, you should never apply the solution directly to the floor. Instead, apply with a damp (not dripping wet) mop, cloth or specialist cleaning tool.
What is the Best Cleaner For Laminate Floors?
The best cleaner for laminate floors is one that tackles the problem but doesn’t damage the surface. Laminate flooring from one company might be able to withstand stronger cleaning solutions than flooring from another, so take this into account before you choose a product. Jontec Tensol Floor Cleaner from Diversey is an all-around solution that’s suitable for most laminate surfaces.
What Not to Use in the Cleaning of Laminate Flooring
As well as knowing what the best cleaner for laminate floors is, you should be aware of what not to use. The following items can damage laminate flooring:
- Abrasive cloths such as wire wool brushes
- Hard-bristle brushes
- Vacuum cleaner heads are only designed for carpets (i.e. not hard surfaces)
- Steam mops (these can push too much moisture into the flooring and cause damage from the inside out)
How Do You Maintain Laminate Floors?
The best way to maintain laminate floors is to follow a proper cleaning routine. Only once the surface is free of debris and bacteria should you apply a maintainer.
Diversey floor care maintainers are also designed to be gentle enough for daily use so you can maintain a constant shine without discolouring the laminate.
Best Tips to Care for Laminate Flooring
Here are three tips for how to clean laminate floors in a commercial setting:
- Always choose the correct products and cleaning strategy for the situation. Light cleans should be performed on a regular basis. Deep cleans should be carried out as necessary or, in general, once or twice a month to ensure the laminate doesn’t get oversaturated with moisture.
- Never be too aggressive. Laminate is hardwearing but it’s not completely impervious to marks and scratches.
Follow these tips and, with the right products, you should be well on your way to developing a high-quality cleaning routine for laminate floors.