Laminate and care. How to care for the laminate so that everyone is satisfied - the features of dry and wet cleaning. Basic rules for caring for laminate flooring in an apartment

Timely cleaning and maintenance of laminate flooring directly affect its service life. There is an opinion that this material has high strength and wear resistance, therefore it is not too demanding in terms of maintenance.

In many ways, this is true, but the basic rules for keeping the flooring clean must be followed in any case. Let's take a closer look at how to care for laminate flooring at home and what you need for this.

Dry and wet cleaning process

The general approach to care and the choice of cleaning method should be based on the class of the laminate, the type of interlocks and density. In private housing and apartments, the most common variety is medium and high density class 32-33 coverage.

Laminate grade 31 and lower is rarely used. Such a coating is less durable - frequent contact with water and wet cleaning will only reduce its service life.

The general technology for dry and wet cleaning of laminate flooring will consist of the following:

Dry cleaning - small debris can be removed with a broom or brush with soft bristles. Major cleaning is more convenient to perform with a household vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment. It is better to refuse the use of washing vacuum cleaners, as they leave a thin layer of water on the surface of the laminate.
Wet cleaning - carried out strictly as needed, no more than 2 times a week. For cleaning, a mop and a well-absorbing cloth are used. The surface of the floor is wiped with a slightly damp cloth for 1-2 times. After the remaining moisture is wiped dry.

During wet cleaning, the movement of the mop should be in the direction of laying the laminate. This will ensure free sliding on the surface and simplify the cleaning process.

Detergent selection

Specialized detergents for imported laminate

The use of detergents is rational only in case of severe contamination of the surface. Dust and light dirt can be easily removed with warm water without the addition of additional components. To clean strong and old marks, you can use a special laminate cleaner, which is sold in many hardware and hardware stores.

As a rule, this is a composition in liquid or gel form, which is added to water and stirred until completely dissolved. Among the folk remedies for caring for a laminate floor, the following can be distinguished:

Heavily soiled floors can be cleaned with neutral pH shampoos. Dissolve 4-5 tablespoons of shampoo in 7-9 liters of water until foam forms. Next, thoroughly vacuum the room and wipe the resulting solution until the dirty traces are completely removed;
in order for the laminate to shine, you can treat the cleaned surface with the following composition: 200 ml of clean water, 2 teaspoons of vinegar, 50 ml of lemon juice and 1 tablespoon of detergent. Mix the components and wipe with a damp cloth soaked in the composition;
To disinfect a clean surface, you can use ordinary vinegar. For 10 liters of water, 50-70 ml of vinegar is enough.

When cleaning, it is better to avoid the use of washing powder or other care products that may contain surfactants and abrasive components. This will lead to strong streaks and micro scratches on the surface of the laminate.

How to cover scuffs and scratches

Wax stick and face repair wax

The appearance of scratches is inevitable even for a class 33-34 laminate, especially in high traffic areas. The material of class 32 is already covered with a scattering of small scratches and damages for 2-3 years of operation.

To remove various types of damage, you can use the following:

shoe marks - removed with a stationery eraser or flannel fabric. Previously, the trace can be softened with a couple of drops of sunflower oil;
shallow damage - a wax pencil for laminate is used to eliminate it. The damaged area is cleaned of dirt and wiped with an alcohol solution. Then it is rubbed with a pencil until the scratch is completely filled. Residues are removed with a clean cloth;
deep chips and scratches - to eliminate them, a special repair kit is used, consisting of a melted putty or sealant. The kit can be purchased at any hardware store that specializes in selling flooring.

For more information about removing scratches from the surface of the laminate can be found in a separate article. In it, we examined all the simplest ways to repair and restore a laminated board.

To remove dirt from worn areas of the laminate, wipe the area with a 1:1 solution of vinegar and water. Dampen a clean cloth with the mixture, treat the stained area and wipe dry with a clean cloth.

How to protect laminate from moisture

The process of applying protective wax for joints

After cleaning the surface of the laminate from dirt and repairing damage, it is possible to treat the coating with a water-repellent wax. This will help prevent moisture from seeping under the flooring and into the area around the lock.

The most problematic places are the joints between the canvases, since through them water gets inside the lock and is absorbed into the panel.

The process of protecting seams on an already laid coating will represent the following steps:

the surface of the laminated board must be thoroughly cleaned from dirt and abrasive particles;
for work, you will need to prepare a rubber or polyurethane spatula, a clean cotton rag or a well-absorbing material;
the wax container is shaken for 1-2 minutes and applied to the seam area with a thin layer;
using a spatula, the wax is pressed into the space between the joint;
then polish the area with a dry, clean cloth or polishing machine;
start processing the next seam;
upon completion, the floor should dry well for 6-8 hours.

As a result, the protective composition should remain only in the area of \u200b\u200bthe seam. This is important because the rest of the laminate does not absorb moisture and does not need to be protected. Moreover, the composition of the product includes vegetable fats and solvents, which will constantly leave marks on slippers.

What not to do with laminated board

The appearance of various damages and general contamination is the result of improper care of the laminate. Although most problems can be avoided, it is enough to carefully study the operating instructions for the coating.

Particular attention should be paid to the section that describes the actions to be performed immediately after laying the coating. To prevent frequent soiling of your flooring and prolong its life, avoid the following:

do not walk on laminate flooring with high heels, dirty construction boots and other shoes, the soles of which may contain small abrasives;
do not move heavy furniture. Immediately after laying, special cork or felt pads should be purchased and glued to the legs of the furniture, which will protect the front surface of the coating;
do not allow shock loads, try not to drop heavy objects and do not spill water on the surface of the laminate. If this happens, remove moisture with a dry cloth. Impact damage can be repaired with sealant or wax.

In areas with the greatest traffic, use soft and decorative rugs, which should be knocked out every 2-3 days. Compliance with these rules and timely care guarantee that class 32-33 laminate will retain an excellent appearance even for 10-12 years of its service.

When caring for a laminate, you need to remember that this material is “finicky” and not all products are suitable for it. There is a certain list of rules, thanks to which you can keep the coating clean without spoiling it.

Laminate care after installation

In order for the coating to please the eye with its beauty for a long time, it is important to properly care for it. For this purpose, consider the following features:

Be sure to place a dust mat in front of the entrance, which will trap dust, sand and other contaminants. Clean entry has been proven to reduce care work by 50%.
Dry clean using a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush attachment.
Caring for a laminate at home includes treating the floor with a special mastic, and this procedure should be carried out once a year.
During the movement of furniture, the coating should be protected from, for which wrap the wooden legs and wheels with soft and dense material.
When sharp objects fall on the laminate, chips form, they need to be masked as soon as possible using special pastes. You can choose a tool to match the tone of the laminate.
Caring for a laminate involves urgently removing moisture from the surface so that the material does not swell or deform.

It deserves special attention, which is very beautiful, but at the same time it is highly prone to pollution. On such a material, traces of bare feet, water, dirt, and so on are visible, so such a surface will have to be more carefully looked after than a matte finish. To give the laminate a beautiful shine, you need to apply an vinegar solution and thoroughly wipe the floor dry.

How to properly clean laminate flooring?

There is a simple instruction that will help you properly carry out wet cleaning:

First, use a broom or vacuum cleaner to collect large debris, such as sand, earth, and so on.
Dilute the detergent in water, but just do it not “by eye”, but only according to the rules described on the package.
The next step in the instructions on how to clean laminate floors involves wetting a rag or a special mop in a prepared soap solution or plain water.
Wring the rag well so that it remains damp, but the water does not drip. The coating should be wiped by performing spiral movements, moving from the windows to the door, so that later you do not step on the already washed floor.
If the floor remains wet, it is recommended to wipe it with a dry cloth.
Caring for laminate, which is not very dirty, involves treatment with plain water, which should be collected in a spray bottle. Then wipe the floor dry with a microfiber cloth.

There are certain rules regarding the removal of stains of a different nature. The most common types of pollution:

What is the best cloth to clean laminate flooring with?

Cloths made of cotton, polyamide, acrylic and viscose can be used for care. When figuring out how to care for a laminate in an apartment, it is worth pointing out that modern material is the best for washing such a floor. It has ultra-fine fibers that absorb moisture and dirt well. Microfiber cloths have the following advantages:

good hygroscopic properties;
retains its color for a long time;
does not leave lint.

However, they also have disadvantages:

What is the best mop to clean laminate flooring with?

There are different types of mops that can be used to care for laminate flooring:

Household butterfly mop. The design includes a handle, the length of which can be changed, and a movable platform with a nozzle. Thanks to the fact that the platform rotates 180°, you can wipe the nooks and crannies in the room.
Universal mop. The design has two nozzles: on one - a rubber scraper, and on the other - a hard sponge. Special nozzles are available for laminate flooring.
Mop for professionals. Such options are used for cleaning large areas. The design has a telescopic handle and a platform that moves 360°.

Continuing to find out how to care for laminate flooring at home, let's pay attention to the basic rules regarding choosing a mop for laminate flooring:

For dry maintenance and for rubbing the surface with special wax, use a laminate brush or mop, which has a long wool bristle. Such inventory is great for collecting dust and small debris.
Mops with long bristles that stick out at the edges can pick up a lot of debris.
Caring for heavily soiled laminate flooring requires the use of a nozzle with short loops. They are great at picking up trash.

Can you clean laminate flooring with a steam mop?

An excellent device that cleans and disinfects - but it is important to figure out whether you can use such a device on a laminate or not. Note that a steam mop and a steam cleaner work in the same way. It is important to note that steam cleaning should not be used to clean lock-joint wood flooring, as the laminate will deform if steam enters the crevices. It is better not to experiment, so as not to completely change the floor later.

If you are interested in how to wash the laminate so that there are no streaks, you should replace that the steam mop is suitable for glued laminate, from which it will remove dust and remove bacteria and germs. Cleaning will take place without the use of additional detergents, while there will be no stains and traces. It is important that the steam supply is set to medium and it is recommended to put a microfiber cloth on the bottom of the steam cleaner or mop.

Washing robot vacuum cleaner for laminate

Such a technique is positioned as a device to do two things at once: remove debris and carry out wet cleaning. If you are looking for a way to wash a laminate without streaks, then you should know that a washing vacuum cleaner, especially a robot, often leaves excess moisture on the surface. To avoid this, it is important to choose a high-quality washing vacuum cleaner with high power and several nozzles, or you will have to use the technique first, and then wipe the floor with a rag.

What is the best way to clean laminate flooring?

Laminate floor care in an apartment can be carried out using shampoo for children, which contain soft ingredients and are safe for laminate flooring. 4 tbsp is enough for a bucket. spoons of shampoo.
To polish a laminated surface, mix 1 tbsp. lemon juice, 3 tbsp. warm water and 2 tbsp. vinegar. Stir by adding a few drops of dish detergent.

Can laminate flooring be washed with water?

This material is afraid of high moisture, so it can not be filled with water, otherwise the coating will have to be replaced. When describing how to wash laminate at home, it should be noted that for cleaning you just need to wash the surface with a well-wrung damp cloth twice a week. You can use clean water at room temperature, but not hot.

Can laminate flooring be washed with bleach?

Not all products are suitable for the care of a material such as laminate, and whiteness can also be attributed to them, since this chemical causes the destruction of the acrylic coating. In addition, it should be borne in mind that whiteness can cause an allergic reaction. Such negative consequences are not worth disinfection, for which whiteness is used. Finding out how you can wash the laminate and properly care for it, we note that both bleach and Domestos cannot be used for disinfection.

Can you clean laminate flooring with vinegar?

In order not to spend money on the purchase of special tools, you can clean using vinegar. It is especially good if there is hardened dirt and you need to add shine to the coating. Don't worry about bad smells as they will disappear when the floor dries. To care for the laminate, use the following scheme:

Prepare a solution by adding 1/4 tbsp to a liter of water. white vinegar. If desired, you can still pour in 3 tbsp. spoons of dishwashing detergent. Pour the streak-free laminate cleaner into a spray bottle and shake thoroughly.
Spray the solution on the floor and start cleaning immediately. Do not leave it on the surface for a long time, as this may cause the destruction of the protective layer.
After cleaning with vinegar, it is recommended to wipe everything with a damp cloth. Then it is recommended to dry everything with a dry mop or cloth.

Laminate cleaner

For regular cleaning, only water can be used by wiping the surface first with a wet and then with a dry cloth. A special laminate cleaner should be added when there is difficult dirt or when you want to polish the floor. It is worth noting that washing gels and liquids not only clean, but also disinfect the surface, and they also create a protective film and make the joints airtight. Among housewives, such brands are popular: Emsal, HG, Unicum, Starwax, Denkmit and others. They are bred in water, so, more often 3-4 caps are taken per 5 liters of water.

What tools are prohibited to use when cleaning laminate flooring?

One of the disadvantages of the laminated surface is its capriciousness in care, so it is important to know what cannot be used for such a coating. Sharp objects that can leave scratches are prohibited. Do not pour large amounts of water onto the floor during cleaning, as it may cause the coating to swell.

Laminate floor cleaning and care products must be free of abrasives, alkalis and acids.
The composition should not include wax and oil, as they will create a film on top, to which dust and debris will adhere.
You can not use gloss chemicals that contain glycerin, because after it gets into the joints, the edge of the laminate will swell.

How often can laminate flooring be cleaned?

If laminate was chosen for finishing, then get ready for the fact that you will have to take care of it regularly. Use these tips on how to properly care for your laminate flooring:

Vacuuming or sweeping the surface almost every day is recommended to ensure that there are no hard particles on the floor that can scratch the laminate.
As for wet cleaning, it is better to do it once a week according to the rules described above.
To add shine, you can add household chemicals to the water or replace it with a small amount of vinegar.

When choosing a floor covering, many people think: what to choose among the variety presented in stores. If the choice fell on the laminate, then naturally the question arises about the proper care of it.

Laminate- wear-resistant, affordable and easy to maintain coating of any floor. It contains several layers, but the most significant is the top film, which protects the surface from various scratches, chips, marks from women's heels.

Caring for a laminate is not very complicated, it will not take much time and effort, but there are rules that are better to follow so that the laminate will serve you for a long time.

Like every material, laminate has its own characteristics. The first distinguishing feature is that it is made of several layers. Each layer is made of different materials and performs different functions:

The bottom layer is made of kraft board and is designed to be moisture resistant.
The heart of a laminate is a densely compressed chip. The thicker and stronger the fiberboard, the higher the class of the laminate.
The third layer imitates stone, wood or parquet
The top layer is a protective film.

The level of wear resistance of the floor covering is determined by the material from which the flooring is made. There are different classes of this coverage:

Class 31 (AC3) is used only in apartments because it has a low load
Class 32 (AC4) is also used in apartments or offices with little traffic.
Class 33 (AC5) is used in restaurants, offices with a large number of people. It is this class that is resistant to water and can withstand prolonged contact with it.
Grade 34 (AC6) is the most wear resistant. They are used at railway stations, airports, gyms. In apartments, such a laminate is not used, due to its high endurance and high cost.

Laminate Care

The main thing in care is the immediate removal of dirt, various damages, various stains. Laminate care products are divided into home and professional. Let's take a look at home care.

The following solution will help clean the laminate from dust and dirt: you need to take one tablespoon of 9% vinegar and five liters of non-hot water
It is best to wash the surface with microfiber and a sponge
If a greasy greasy stain appears on the floor, then it can be cleaned with liquid soap.
Stains from coffee, juice and other colored stains can be cleaned with a neutral detergent diluted in water.
If there are stains from nail polish on the surface, the child painted with markers or felt-tip pens on the floor, then nail polish remover with acetone, as well as white alcohol, will come to the rescue
A plastic scraper is useful when removing wax from candles.
For high-quality cleaning of chewing gum, it is necessary to freeze it using ice. Then the chewing gum is removed with a scraper, and the greasy stain must be removed with liquid soap.

On the modern market there are a large number of professional products with which you can take care of the laminate. They are released in the form of a concentrate and have a neutral reaction. They can be used in the apartment every day, as well as for polishing.

It is not recommended to take care of the laminate with non-specialized means. This is specified in the terms of the contract with the coating manufacturer. Otherwise, the warranty obligations on the part of the manufacturers will not be fulfilled.

When caring for the coating at home, you can not use:

Cleansing agents with abrasive particles. They are very easy to damage the treated surface, and it is no longer possible to repair the damage, it is necessary to replace the damaged area
Detergents with acid and alkali, only neutral ones are used
Metal nets and brushes - they will scratch the laminate
It is not recommended to wax the flooring - the laminate is smooth in itself.

Care in the apartment is divided into two types of cleaning - dry cleaning and wet cleaning. . Which one to choose depends on the class of laminate flooring. Dry cleaning is applied to laminate 31 and 32 class. This material is very susceptible to water, so it is vacuumed or swept with a brush. Cleaning with a washing vacuum cleaner is not recommended.

Coating class 32, 33 and 34 is subject to wet cleaning. 32 class is recommended to wash every 10-14 days. Laminate grades 33 and 34 are washed more often with the use of special detergents so that stains do not appear. After that, you need to wipe the floor dry. Waxing and polishing is usually not necessary.

Removal of minor damage

Coating care includes minor repairs. Although class 33 and 34 laminate is resistant to damage, scratches are possible. Moreover, this is common in apartments and rooms with a surface of class 32.

Footprints can be easily removed with a flannel cloth or eraser. Sunflower oil can be applied to the flannel
A wax pencil works well for small scratches.
In case of deep scratches, as well as chips, acrylic putty is used. The color of the putty must be chosen taking into account the fact that after drying it will darken in tone. After choosing a color, a scratch or chip is filled with a mass and wait a day for complete drying. Then the surface must be carefully sanded and varnished.

In order for the laminate to serve for more than a dozen years, it is necessary to protect it from various damages, this is especially true when rearranging furniture and in the kitchen, in particular in the area with a table. To prevent chips and damage to the floor surface, you can use foot pads or casters to
furniture movement.

Women's studs and men's shoes are especially dangerous for laminate flooring. Before choosing a floor covering, it is necessary to estimate how many people will walk on the floor in such shoes. If this is a large enough amount, then it would be better to refuse the laminate. In residential areas with laminate flooring, it is best to walk in soft slippers.

Laminate and pets

Every pet owner wonders if the claws will spoil the laminate floor? There is only one answer to this question - claws do not pose a threat to high-quality laminate. The thing is that the surface of the coating contains acrylic and melamine resins. This applies even to class 31. But the 32nd and 33rd grades are not afraid not only of the claws of animals, but also of heels and furniture legs. Another nuance concerns the fact that animals love to mark their territory. How will the laminate behave in this case? High-quality laminate is made from moisture-resistant materials and prolonged contact with moisture will not distort the floor. In addition, the locks create close contact, while there are no gaps that moisture can get into. Melamine also does not absorb odors. Laminate flooring is the best flooring choice for pets and is easy to care for.

be careful not to drop heavy, breaking or sharp objects on the floor.

Another advantage is the ability to replace several panels without changing the entire floor surface. Such a replacement will be cheaper than replacing the entire floor covering.

From everything we can conclude that caring for a laminate is not so difficult. You just need to adhere to certain rules and conditions, and then your coating will last for many years.

If you have made a difficult choice between parquet board, linoleum and laminate in favor of the latter, then you will definitely have a question about the proper care and maintenance of this coating. Note that the laminate has a structure similar to a layer cake and the most important layer is the top film. It is she who protects the coating from dust, scratches, chips, traces of heels, claws of animals and gives the floor a shine. Therefore, proper care of the condition of the laminate is very important.

Proper care is a factor in the longevity of your floor

As well as preventing disease, prevention is essential to the longevity of your sex. Namely: the main dirt enters the apartment from the street. Sand is carried around the rooms and plays the role of sandpaper, therefore, no matter how durable the laminate is, scratches are inevitable. Put a good rubber mat on the floor in the corridor, which will trap all the dirt.

It is undesirable to use a washing vacuum cleaner for laminate flooring, as it leaves a lot of moisture behind.

Is it possible to wash your laminate at all?

The next question is about the moisture resistance of the laminate. There are its types with the name Aqua Resist, which can be laid even in the bathroom, and even more so, and moisture is not a hindrance to such a coating. If this is not your case, then be aware that ordinary laminate does not like water. It can penetrate between the seams of the coating and lead to swelling of the top layer. Also note that you can not glue the laminate with water-based products (PVA glue) for the same reason!

How to wash laminate?

Now let's go directly to the question: how to wash the laminate? The choice of detergents and the frequency of cleaning depends on what the coating is contaminated with. Note that it is undesirable to use a washing vacuum cleaner, as it leaves a lot of moisture behind. Normal dry vacuuming is welcome, just use a special long bristle brush. You can vacuum at least every day. The main thing is to prevent accumulation of sand, dust, and other abrasive particles on the surface. By the way, 1-2 times a week after dry vacuuming, it is good to wipe the laminate with a damp cloth.

Universal recipe without unnecessary chemicals

The choice of mopping the floor with or without detergent depends on the type of soiling. The older generation came up with a universal recipe:

Add vinegar to lukewarm water. The calculation is 1 tablespoon per 5 liters of water.

It was with this tool that our grandmothers washed windows, cleaned mirrors and dishes. We advise you to use household chemicals in case of greasy stains, heavy dirt, and after cleaning, wipe the floor with a slightly damp cloth. As for the material of the fabric, a microfiber cloth seems like a worthy option, although many housewives opt for a regular household fabric.

We remove stains and others and surprises

Now about the nuances. If traces of a felt-tip pen, marker, lipstick, varnish appear on the floor, use a household solvent, acetone, methyl alcohol. Apply the product to the stain and wipe almost immediately with a slightly damp cloth. In the case of dried gum or candle wax, it is recommended to use a scraper, and then act as if there were scratches - take a special pencil for laminate, picking up the color, and cover up the mark. Grease stains are well removed with detergents with a neutral PH. If, God forbid, you have traces of dry blood on the floor, then a special nylon pad will come to the rescue.

Video: how to care for laminate and wood floors

Summing up, I would like to note that it is not necessary to get carried away with wet cleaning of the laminate. It is better to constantly remove dust, sand with a vacuum cleaner or just sweep, and then your coating can last 10 or 15 years.

Caring for laminate has its own characteristics, you can not forget about it. If everything is done correctly, the laminate floor, even after a few years after the repair, will look like new. On the other hand, a small oversight can lead to swelling of the coating, deformation, violation of texture, pattern and color.

Caring for a laminate in an apartment or house consists of three main procedures:

daily removal of dust and dirt;
weekly wet cleaning with special detergents;
remedial action as needed or every six months.

It is better to use professional products for high-quality and safe care of the laminate, but in extreme cases, home-made, home-made ones will do. Read more about the intricacies of cleaning laminate flooring below.

Caring for a laminate floor will be easier if you understand what it is made of and how it is made. It is not natural wood, like parquet, but not a completely artificial material, laminate has its own characteristics. Professional builders sometimes refer to this material as a layer cake for its structure:

The bottom layer is stabilizing. This is a reinforced cardboard that is impregnated with melamine. Melamine enhances its strength and moisture resistance, sometimes kraft cardboard is additionally covered with a layer of soundproofing material.
The carrier layer is the body of the laminate, in budget options it is represented by a dense chipboard board, in premium materials - natural wood. it is in this layer that grooves and locks are cut out for a strong connection of the lamellae.
The outer layer is decorative. It is always made of thick impregnated paper and laminated, but the design can be anything - under natural stone, brick, wood, etc. The wear resistance and durability of the laminate depend on the quality of the laminated coating.

Recently, they have also begun to produce laminate with increased moisture resistance. Its body is not wood or chipboard, but a highly durable polymer in air chambers.

Caring for this type of laminate is extremely simple, but such a coating is many times more expensive. Therefore, if you chose the classic option when renovating an apartment or house, be sure to read on, the advice of experienced users will definitely come in handy for you.

Most middle-income consumers prefer to install economy-class laminated floors in their apartment - that is, with a chipboard base. Chipboard is strong enough, economical, but very hygroscopic.

The moisture resistance of this material is not very high; when wet, chipboard will swell, increase in volume and deform. Therefore, such floors cannot be flooded with water - they will deteriorate, despite the laminated coating.

But this does not mean that wet cleaning is excluded. It is possible and necessary to wash laminate floors - adhering to certain rules.

You can use warm or cold water and liquid products designed specifically for the care of laminate flooring - for example, Mister Muscle or Propper.
You can not wash the laminate with hard brushes or use abrasive pastes and powders - only liquid gels and mops with a soft nozzle or a rag.
It is important to squeeze the brush or cloth well. Excessive moistening of the laminate will not only lead to its swelling - ugly stains will remain on the surface after drying.
After treatment with a solution with detergent, be sure to wipe the floor with clean water, again using a well-wrung rag or a special mop.
Finally, the floor is either wiped dry or left to dry naturally. It is not recommended to turn on the heaters and walk on the washed wet floor.

Do not forget that before wet cleaning, dry cleaning must be carried out - with a soft broom or a vacuum cleaner with a special nozzle, all dust is removed from the surface of the laminate and baseboards. By the way, you can not use a washing vacuum cleaner to clean the laminate. The exception is only the most advanced units, in which a similar function is provided by the manufacturer.

Alternative cleaners for laminate flooring

Some housewives, in order to save money or for other reasons, prefer not to use household chemicals for cleaning the house. Products from the supermarket in most cases are hypoallergenic and do not affect the well-being of young children or pets. But in some cases, precaution does not hurt. What home remedies can then take care of the laminate?

pH neutral baby shampoo. It is enough to add two tablespoons of baby mild shampoo to a five-liter bucket and lather the water. Then wipe the laminate with a clean, damp cloth;
table vinegar. You can use it in two ways. in the first case, half a glass of vinegar is added directly to a bucket of warm or hot water and the laminate is washed quickly. In the second case, a solution is first prepared for treating especially dirty areas: a quarter cup of vinegar is dissolved in a liter of water, the liquid is poured into a container with a spray bottle. First, the resulting product is applied to dirty areas and wiped with a wet cloth, then the entire floor is washed completely. Vinegar effectively removes stubborn stains, destroys bacteria and restores the shine of a dull laminate floor.

It is not recommended to use soda or citric acid to clean the laminate - the crystals of these substances can violate the integrity of the top floor covering.

Restorative measures for damage to the laminate

Laminate, like any floor covering, suffers during operation. The main damage to which it is subject:

a variety of stains - juice, coffee, tea, fat, etc .;
chips and scratches - shoes, animal claws, pieces of dropped dishes or other objects can easily damage the top protective film on laminate floors;
swelling - the cause is spilled liquid, improper cleaning, high humidity in the room;
drawings with a marker, felt-tip pen, paints - a glossy floor, especially if it is in light shades, is very attractive to young artists in the family.

Having found one of them, you should not be upset - for every problem there is a solution. You can remove scuff marks, scratches and cracks with a special wax pencil or paste, which can be purchased at a hardware store.

First, the damaged area of \u200b\u200bthe laminate must be thoroughly cleaned of dust, and then treated with paste and pencil - the agent is applied until the recess is completely filled. Then the laminate should be polished with a dry, soft, lint-free cloth.

Pencil is more suitable for removing scuffs and shallow scratches. if the damage is severe, it is better to use a paste or mastic. please note: you can walk on the treated lamella only after a couple of hours, until this moment it is better to cover it with a napkin or a dry cloth.

You can choose the right shade by mixing several different ones. Then the restored laminate will look flawless again.

Chips on the laminate appear if a heavy object is dropped on the floor - a stool, a pan, a book, etc. Chip can be removed only with the help of a special putty. First you need to warm it up, then quickly apply it with a spatula, smooth it out and remove the residue. After drying, the treated area is rubbed, ground and polished.

A variety of stains on the laminate are removed using the following tools:

felt-tip pens and markers - with toothpaste or nail polish remover;
blood - glass cleaner;
drinks and food - alcohol or lemon.

And the last tip: a colored mastic based on natural wax, which is used to mask scratches and scuffs on a laminate, should be applied every six months, even if the coating is not damaged. Such products will restore the color and gloss of the floor, protect it from mechanical stress and moisture, and extend the service life.

But you should not be too zealous: Excess mastic will lead to the formation of ugly stains on the surface and tarnishing of the laminate.