Laminate has many advantages, which is why it is quite popular. Laminate flooring is often used in apartments, summer cottages and private houses. In addition to the fact that it looks attractive, it is also quite functional, resistant to external mechanical influences and affordable. To increase the service life of this floor, you need to know the rules of caring for it.

In general, special chemicals are produced for washing the laminate. These funds are produced on soap base from organic matter with the addition of various fragrances, disinfectants, glycerin, alcohol and antibacterial additives. The price depends on the manufacturer.

The laminate care product can be diluted 1–2 caps per 10–12 liters of water.

And it is worth noting that its use is allowed no more than once a month.

Coverage class in the apartment

Laminate flooring is subdivided into wear resistance classes. They were created for more convenient choice product in the ratio of the needs and capabilities of the buyer.

There are two main groups of laminate flooring by type of use.:for home and commercial use. The laminate of the first group is much stronger, and it is used in places of increased traffic of people. For an easy selection of the coating you need, they also use markings that indicate the level of durability and strength.
Caring for coatings different types differs slightly... Moisture-resistant laminate is not afraid of liquid, and when caring for it, you can use a washing vacuum cleaner and a wet rag. But for the standard not waterproof laminate such care will not work.

Below we will consider in more detail the classification of laminate coatings:

When caring for household laminated flooring, do not use wet rags, vacuum cleaner, and do not remove stains with caustic substances. Dry cleaning is carried out every 2 days, wet cleaning once a week. It is better to cover the 21st and 22nd class of laminate with a carpet in places of intensive traffic, and reduce the movement of furniture on it. Possible defects on this coverage must be repaired immediately, as cracks and scratches worsen quickly.

Commercial grade laminate flooring can be vacuumed much less frequently and washed more frequently. It perfectly tolerates acids, alkalis and alcohols that you will need to remove dirty spots... When cleaning, you can safely use a washing vacuum cleaner or a wet rag. Scratches and defects on this coating appear much less frequently.

Wet cleaning of laminated floors is sufficient once a week, on other days you can use a vacuum cleaner a couple of times... You don't have to use wax or other products to give the laminate shine, and maintenance is accordingly minimized.

We remind you that cleaning must be damp. Therefore, wring out the rag very well before starting to wash.

1. If you notice that your rag leaves wet streaks, it means that it does not absorb enough moisture. In this case, we advise you to wipe the floor with a dry cotton cloth after washing.

Proper care of your laminate flooring

Below we give a couple simple tips to help you reduce the risk of any defects on your laminate flooring.

In the process of operation, the laminate is faced with enormous loads. And no matter how durable it is, sooner or later you will run into trouble. Below we describe in detail how to avoid this.

We hope that our useful tips help you keep your home clean and extend the life of your laminate flooring while retaining its luster and durability. Use a suitable product depending on the grade of coverage and remove all stains and dirt in a timely manner. We wish you good luck and comfort in your home!

The problem of caring for laminate flooring concerns everyone who has this floor covering at home. When repairing, evaluate all the positive and negative sides of this material. From the article, you will not only learn how to care for your laminate floor, but also understand what to do in an emergency. You will also be able to learn how to repair surface damage such as bulging from water, chips from heavy objects that have fallen.

What is a laminate made of?

Laminate flooring, or, as it is also called, "laminated parquet", is a kind of "layer cake", consisting of the following parts:

• Stabilizing layer made of durable kraft cardboard impregnated with melamine. To enhance the soundproofing effect, stabilizing and sound-absorbing layers are sometimes combined.
• The carrier layer is the main part of the floor covering. In economy class materials and some models of the middle price category, the supporting part is made of durable chipboard. The basis expensive varieties laminate flooring is natural wood... It is much stronger and more practical than chipboard. In this layer, locks are cut to connect the individual lamellas to each other.
• Decorative part. This is melamine-impregnated paper on which the design is applied. It can be imitation of wood, ornamental stone, ceramics, sea pebbles and other materials.

Important! In addition to the classic, there are also waterproof laminate varieties. The load-bearing part is not formed by chipboard, but by high-quality plastic with air chambers. It is much easier to care for such a coating than for an ordinary one.

How to clean laminate flooring properly?

Materials based on waste products from the woodworking industry do not like excess moisture, and natural wood does not particularly favor it. Most people buy chipboard-based laminate flooring. With prolonged exposure to moisture on the coating, the lamellas swell and become completely unusable.

However, washing such a floor is not only possible, but also necessary. Use soft for this detergents for the maintenance of laminate flooring, chemically non-aggressive. The rag should not be too damp. Great option- a mop equipped with a squeezing device.

Wet cleaning methods:

• Classic (with water and a rag). Pour water into the bucket, dampen a rag, wring it out well and wipe the cover. Now hand dry the floor with a dry cloth.
• Heavily contaminated surface will be washed off with hot water (in no case, not boiling water!). The algorithm is the same as with cold water... Naturally, prolonged contact of the coating with hot water should not be allowed.
• Water with vinegar. This method is relevant if the coating is heavily soiled and has lost its shine. Dissolve 250 ml of table vinegar in a liter of water, pour the resulting solution into a spray bottle. Spray liquid on small areas and wipe immediately. When the surface starts to shine again, wash the floor with cool water and then wipe dry.
• A good home remedy for your laminate flooring is baby shampoo. Dissolve in hot water some shampoo for babies (it has a neutral pH reaction, so it is completely safe), then wash the floor in the usual way.

Important! Before purchasing a laminate cleaner, pay attention to its chemical composition. It should be free of sodium hypochlorite. If you wash the floor with this solution once, there will be no harm to the coating. But from frequent washing the laminate will lose its shine and original color.

Ambulance for laminate flooring

Caring for class 32 laminate or any other is not just cleaning (dry or wet), but also restoring the laminated surface from scratches, chips or children's drawings.

Eliminate scratches

Scratches are the result of improper use of the laminate (furniture rearrangement, children's toys).

Important! Such damage cannot be ignored. Gradually, the scratch will increase, dirt will accumulate in it and, in the end, the lamella will have to be replaced.

The procedure for removing a small scratch is as follows:

1. Use a vacuum cleaner to clean the scratch, remove all dust from it.
2. Draw over the defect with a special pencil (several times if necessary).
3. Polish the defect with a dry cloth.

To eliminate deep defects, when the pencil does not help, you can use mastic or paste. The application of these products is extremely simple:

1. Apply the mastic with plastic glass, remove excess.
2. Polish the floor surface with a soft dry cloth.
3. The paste, in comparison with mastic, has a more liquid consistency. Apply it to the scratch, smooth, then wipe (first with a damp sponge and then with a soft cloth).
4. After 2 hours, it will be possible to walk around the repaired place.

Important! Choosing a pencil for repairing damaged laminate is a snap. Almost any shade is available for sale. It is more difficult to choose mastic or paste: the tint palette is rather limited. Have to mix different colors until you achieve the desired shade.

Elimination of chips

Laminate flooring is chipped when heavy objects are dropped, usually in the kitchen. Chips need to be eliminated as quickly as possible, as dust and dirt accumulate in them. So let's get started:

1. Clean out the defect.
2. Using a torch, melt the laminate filler.
3. Apply it to the damaged area, flatten it with a spatula and remove the excess that is near the chip.
4. Wait for the putty to cool.
5. Sand the area of ​​the defect and polish thoroughly.

How to eliminate swelling in laminate flooring?

It can appear if liquid is spilled on the floor and did not wipe it off in time. If the floorboard is swollen, the defect can only be repaired by replacing it:

1. Disassemble the floor a little further from the damaged area.
2. Spread the swollen floorboards on a flat surface to dry.
3. Take your time to re-lay the floorboards. Create a draft in the room to eliminate moisture under the cover.
4. Reassemble the floor.

Important! Do not forget to coat the joints with sealant. Perfect option if this is done during the initial installation of the laminate.

How do I remove drawings from laminate flooring?

The effectiveness of removing "art" from the floor depends on the basis on which the ink of the felt-tip pens is made. Let's consider several ways to delete pictures:

• For alcohol-based markers, try using a regular school eraser to erase the drawing, and then wipe the marked area with a piece of cotton wool dipped in vodka or alcohol. Now it remains to wash the floor in the usual way and wipe it dry.
• Take a toothpaste (no whitening effect) and apply to the drawing. Use a microfiber cloth to remove any markings from the felt-tip pen. Then wash the floor. Laminate as good as new!
• If the felt-tip pen is water-based, then its traces are well washed off plain water.
• Soak a cotton swab in acetone, nail polish remover, or white spirit. First, try the cleaning performance on small area... If traces of children's art are easily removed, and the surface has not changed its color, continue to remove the rest of the drawings.

Stain removal rules

In addition to children's drawings, the flooring can be damaged by accidentally spilled alcohol, resin from the Christmas tree. Footprints may remain on the floor surface. And in each of these cases, you need to know how to care for your laminate floor. The following tips will help to cope with such contamination:

• Dried blood stains can be removed with a cotton swab and window cleaner.
• Spruce or pine resin must first be frozen. For these purposes, ice from freezer or a bag of frozen vegetables. After the resin hardens, it remains to remove it from the surface with a scraper. The contaminated area is washed with a cotton swab or a piece of cloth dipped in a window cleaner.
• Port wine stains can be removed well with water and a mild detergent (“Misters”: Proper and Muscle work equally well). If traces of stains still remain, you can try to remove them with denatured alcohol.
• It is convenient to remove stripes from outdoor shoes with a soft eraser.

Home care products for laminate flooring: basic rules

The lifespan of a laminate depends largely on how well you choose your flooring:

• In rooms with normal humidity the usual laminate is appropriate.
• The moisture-resistant coating is installed in the kitchen and in the bathroom, but it must be used with extreme care.
• The best option for a bathroom is plastic laminate.

A few basic rules will allow you to extend the life of your laminate flooring:

1. Take away Special attention entrance area. Dust, dirt and sand are collected here especially intensively. To prevent dirt from spreading throughout the room, use a dust-collecting mat. Make it a rule to clean the area every day. Shake out the rug every day.
2. Try to avoid damaging the laminate with sharp objects. In order not to damage the coating when rearranging furniture, glue special commercially available pads to the furniture legs.
3. Replace the regular rollers with rubberized ones. If you roll a computer chair with plastic wheels on the floor, it will certainly leave marks. There are no such problems with rubber wheels.
4. Dry-clean the laminate with a vacuum cleaner with soft nozzle-brush.
5. The effectiveness of class 32 laminate maintenance largely depends on how much you protect the floor from the ingress of liquids. Even moisture-resistant varieties can withstand water on the floor for no more than 2 hours. The frequency of wet cleaning is no more than 2 times a week. Remember to wipe dry the washed floor.
6. Treat the floor surface with special mastic (once a year).

Carrying out the care of the 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 maintain the cleanliness of the coating without spoiling it.

Caring for laminate flooring after installation

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

1. Be sure to place a dust mat before entering, which will trap dust, sand and other contaminants. Clean entry has been proven to reduce grooming work by 50%.
2. Carry out dry cleaning using a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush attachment.
3. Caring for the laminate at home includes treating the floor with a special mastic, and this procedure should be carried out once a year.
4. When moving furniture, you should protect the covering from, for which wrap the wooden legs and wheels with soft and dense material.
5. 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 product to match the tone of the laminate.
6. Caring for the laminate involves the urgent removal of moisture from the surface so that the material does not swell and deform.

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

How to clean laminate flooring properly?

There is simple instruction, which will help to carry out wet cleaning correctly:

1. First, use a broom or vacuum cleaner to pick up coarse debris such as sand, dirt, and so on.
2. Dilute the detergent in water, but do it not "by eye", but only according to the rules described on the package.
3. The next step in the instructions on how to clean laminate floors involves wetting a rag or special mop in a prepared soap solution or plain water.
4. Squeeze the rag well to keep it damp without dripping. The coating should be wiped in a spiral motion, moving from windows to door, so as not to step on the already washed floor later.
5. If the floor remains damp, it is recommended to wipe it down with a dry cloth.
6. Caring for a laminate that is not very dirty involves treating it with plain water, which should be drawn into a spray bottle. Then wipe the floor dry with a microfiber cloth.

There is certain rules concerning the removal of stains of different nature. The most common types of contamination:

What is the best cloth to wash your laminate with?

For cleaning, cloths made of cotton, polyamide, acrylic and viscose can be used. Understanding how to care for the laminate in an apartment, it is worth pointing out that the best one for cleaning such a floor is modern material... 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;
• leaves no lint.

At the same time, they also have disadvantages:

Which mop is best for cleaning laminate flooring?

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

1. 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 180 ° swivel platform, the nooks and crannies of the room can be wiped clean.
2. Universal mop. The design has two attachments: one with a rubber scraper and the other with a hard sponge. Special attachments are available for laminate flooring.
3. Mop for professionals... These options are used to clean large areas. The design has a telescopic handle and a platform that moves 360 °.

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

1. For dry maintenance and for scrubbing the surface with special wax, use a laminate brush or mop that has a long woolen bristle. This kind of equipment is great for collecting dust and small debris.
2. Long-haired mops can pick up a lot of debris.
3. Caring for heavily soiled laminates involves the use of a short loop nozzle. They are great at collecting trash.

Can laminate flooring be cleaned with a steam mop?

An excellent device that performs cleaning and disinfection - 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 take into account that steam cleaning cannot be used to clean the lock-joint wood flooring, since the deformation of the laminate will occur when steam enters the crevices. It is better not to experiment, so as not to completely change the sex later.

If you are interested in how to wash your 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 streaks and marks will not remain. It is important that medium steam is set and additionally it is recommended to put a microfiber cloth on the bottom of the steam cleaner or mop.

Washing robot vacuum cleaner for laminate flooring

A similar technique is positioned as a device to perform two things at once: remove debris and carry out wet cleaning. If you are looking for a way to wash the laminate without streaks, then you should know that a washing vacuum cleaner, especially a robot, often leaves behind on the surface excess moisture... 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 wash laminate flooring?

1. Caring for the laminate in the apartment can be carried out using shampoo for children, in which they eat soft components and they are safe for the laminated coating. 4 tbsp is enough for a bucket. spoons of shampoo.
2. To polish the laminated surface, mix 1 tbsp. lemon juice, 3 tbsp. warm water and 2 tbsp. vinegar. Stir with a few drops of dish detergent.

Can laminate flooring be washed with water?

This material is afraid of increased moisture, so it cannot be filled with water, in otherwise you will have to replace the coating. Describing how to wash the laminate at home, it should be noted that for cleaning, you just need to wash the surface twice a week with a well-wrung out damp cloth. Can be used clean water room temperature but not hot.

Can laminate flooring be washed with whiteness?

Not all products are suitable for caring for material such as laminate flooring, and whiteness can also be attributed to them, since this Chemical substance leads to destruction acrylic coating... In addition, it should be borne in mind that whiteness can cause an allergic reaction. Such Negative consequences do not cost 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 laminate flooring be cleaned with vinegar?

In order not to spend money on buying special products, you can clean using vinegar. It is especially good if there is solidified dirt and you need to give a shine to the coating. Do not worry about bad smell as it will disappear after the floor dries. To care for your laminate, use the following scheme:

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

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 product for laminate flooring should be added when there is difficult dirt or when you want to polish the floor. It is worth noting that gels and washing liquids not only clean, but also disinfect the surface, and they also create protective film and make the joints tight. The following brands are popular among hostesses: Emsal, HG, Unicum, Starwax, Denkmit and others. They are diluted in water, so, more often 3-4 caps are taken for 5 liters of water.

What products are prohibited to use when cleaning laminate flooring?

One of the disadvantages of a laminated surface is its whimsical 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 swell the flooring.

1. Laminate floor cleaning and care products must be free of abrasive substances, alkali and acid.
2. The composition should not include wax and oil, as they will create a film on top to which dust and debris will adhere.
3. Can not use chemical compositions for gloss that contain glycerin, because after it gets into the joints, the edge of the laminate will swell.

How often can laminate flooring be washed?

If a 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:

1. It is recommended that you vacuum or sweep the surface almost every day so that there are no debris on the floor that could scratch the laminate.
2. As for wet cleaning, it is better to do it once a week according to the rules described above.
3. To add shine, add household chemicals to the water or replace it with a little vinegar.

Laminate is a popular multi-layer flooring. It is distinguished by its attractive appearance, practicality, resistance to deformation. However, despite the good durability of modern floor coverings, in order to extend the life of the laminate and preserve its aesthetics, it is necessary to follow the rules of home care and use only products that are safe for such a floor.

The main enemies of laminate are abrasion and water

The top film, formed by an acrylic resin with mineral inclusions, provides the coating with good wear resistance. After varnishing, the surface acquires a glossy sheen or a pleasant matte finish. The main way to preserve the integrity and aesthetics of this layer is to protect it from the main household abrasive - sand. This is easy to do - you need to put a rubberized mat at the entrance to the room and clean it periodically.

Since a material with less wear resistance is usually chosen for residential premises than for public facilities, it is recommended to walk on a laminated board only in house shoes. To prevent scratches, it is recommended to place rubber or felt pads under the furniture legs. You can extend the service life of the coating by using paths or carpets laid in the highest traffic areas. Transparent rugs are placed under frequently moved chairs.

The second reason that can lead to early failure of budget-class laminate boards that are not intended for use in conditions of contact with water is contact with a large number water on the surface of the coating. When water penetrates the seams between the panels, it swells the main bearing layer of the coating - strips of wood shavings pressed with an adhesive. To prevent water from entering the intermediate layer, the panels are never fixed to the base adhesives water based.

How to properly care for a laminate floor in an apartment or private house?

The moisture resistance of the laminate does not depend on its class. All manufacturers produce laminate with the same moisture resistance in classes 32-33, however, the 31st class laminate has a moisture resistance slightly lower than that of other classes, but still allows wet cleaning with a carefully wrung out cloth.

For laminate of classes 33 and above, dry cleaning is combined with wet cleaning, which is usually sufficient once a week.

For a floor made of 33 class panels, you can use a washing vacuum cleaner

Attention! You can wash the laminate daily only if it belongs to the moisture resistant group.

Rules for wet cleaning the laminate floor:

• The water must be clean, its temperature is 35-45 ° C. During cleaning, it is advisable to change the water frequently.
• It is recommended to use special products to deal with stubborn dirt.
• You can refresh the look of the coating and keep the shine by adding 9% vinegar (at the rate of 1 tablespoon to 5 liters of water) or lemon juice.
• At wet cleaning squeeze the rag or sponge well to avoid waterlogging.

Convenient to use a power-spin mop

• When cleaning by hand, flannel or microfiber rags are the most practical.
• The panels are wiped along the longitudinal axis of the board with slight pressure, starting from the window and moving towards the door, which will allow not to walk on the already washed areas.
• At the end of cleaning, wipe the surface with a dry cloth.

Advice! It is possible to cover the floor with a carpet only after the surface is completely dry.

Features of caring for different types of laminate - glossy, matte, white

Material with a matte surface is more prone to collecting dirt than a glossy one, but it is easier to care for it, especially when using special sprays. If you take care of the matte laminate with a damp cloth, then after such cleaning it is necessary to wipe the surface with a dry cloth. If there are chamfers, you need to check if moisture remains in them.

The glossy surface is not prone to picking up dirt, but it will leave any marks and scratches. It is recommended to clean this floor frequently, since it is quite difficult to remove dirt on it. The cleaning process is also complicated by the fact that after all operations, the panels must be wiped with a dry cloth until they appear shiny. The glossy floor does not like walking with bare feet.

In need of careful care, current needs many modern interiors white laminate, for which it is recommended to use special products and often rinse a rag.

Means for the care of the laminate in the apartment

Commercially available laminate flooring products can successfully deal with all types of dirt. However, even with full compliance with the rules of the instructions attached to the composition, it is advisable to test it on an inconspicuous area of ​​the floor during initial use.

Means for the care of laminated panels have different consistency, differ in the method and conditions of use. Purchased products are often used to combat heavy pollution, and improvised means are used for periodic routine cleaning. The most popular brands of floor cleaning compounds: Tyron, Glorix, Mister Proper, Mister Muskul.

Attention! Correct care for an environmentally friendly cork laminate includes the same activities as for regular coverage. Cork panels treated with water-repellent compounds tolerate wet cleaning well.

What tools can you use to care for your laminate at home - regularly or in emergency situations:

• Any baby shampoo added to warm water at the rate of 1 tablespoon of shampoo per 2 liters of water is suitable for regular cleaning.
• Traces of lipstick and shoe polish are removed with a cotton swab dipped in white spirit.
• If alcohol gets on the floor, it can be quickly and safely removed with a cloth dampened in warm water with soap and, of course, well wrung out.
• Marker marks can be smeared with toothpaste and then wiped off with a dry cloth.
• Strips from the sole of the shoe are removed with a stationery eraser or the hard side of a dishwashing sponge.
• Traces of nail polish can be removed with a little washing powder. The powder is applied to the stain and wiped with a damp sponge.
• Gum, candle wax, or gum. You can start removing such contaminants only after they have completely dried. The stain is chilled sharply, for example, with a bag of meat removed from the freezer. Do not remove stains with a metal knife or scraper.

Prohibited funds

To compounds that are prohibited for the care of laminated floor covering, relate:

• Chlorine-containing products such as "Whiteness". Chlorine changes the color of the coating, leading to discoloration.
• Concentrated acids and alkalis. Such substances can not only spoil the surface layer of the material, but also penetrate into the main carrier layer and destroy it.
• Solutions with the presence of ammonia - negatively affect the gloss.
• Polishes not intended for the maintenance of the laminate floor. They can cause streaks and stains.
• Abrasive powders and pastes - lead to rapid wear and deterioration of the aesthetics of the surface layer.

Restoration measures

Sometimes minor damages appear on laminated panels that can be eliminated or at least masked using simple operations:

Advice! It will not be possible to disguise scratches with varnish - the damage will become even more noticeable. It is not recommended to use the mastic used for the maintenance of the parquet for the continuous processing of the laminate and for the elimination of local defects. This is because parquet mastic is designed for an absorbent material such as wood. On the surface of laminated panels, it forms ugly streaks and stains.

How to care for your laminate flooring in your apartment? Carefully. The most difficult thing is to get rid of the ancient Soviet habit of scraping, pouring water and rubbing. The upper film of the laminate is strong, but it will not withstand the constant pressure of aggressive chemicals and an iron brush. Therefore - more tender, more patient.

Daily care

So that the laminate in the apartment will serve long years, there is no need to disturb him once again. A simple vacuum cleaner with a soft nozzle is perfect for daily cleaning. A standard brush will not work; it may scratch the surface. A steam generator attachment is also not an option. A powerful jet of steam at a constant pressure perfectly damages the acrylic film of the top layer and perfectly penetrates the technological gaps between the panels during cleaning.

Don't want to take out the vacuum cleaner every day and clean the floors throughout the apartment? Who canceled the good old broom? In order not to chase dust throughout the apartment with a broom, you just need to wrap a barely damp cloth on a broom and carefully collect the dust particles.

Advice. Do not use a vacuum cleaner to care for your laminate flooring. It leaves a lot of water behind, which can damage the coating.

And if you can't wait to wash your laminate

The Soviet habit of scrubbing the surfaces with effort while cleaning haunts? Itching to wash the laminate with a generous dose of water and washing powder? Then it is easier to immediately remove everything and drag it to the trash.

Even moisture resistant laminate do not fill with water. But wipe it twice a week with a well-wrung out damp cloth or soft rag - even necessary. It is advisable to take either pure water or a special alcohol-containing product according to the manufacturer's recommendation.

By the way, the water should be at room temperature, perhaps a little warmer. But by no means hot!

Advice. It is strictly forbidden to use any soap! It is alkali, albeit soft. To spoil the coating - three wipes with soapy water are enough. The same applies to cleaning powders. Abrasives scratch the acrylic film very well. Of course, the acid so beloved by many housewives should also be forgotten for a while.

If, after all, there are scratches ...

Sometimes, even with all the precautions taken, abrasions and scratches appear on the upper surface of the laminate. Woeful craftsmen on the Internet strongly recommend trying to clean such places with an ordinary school eraser. And what does it give? Also, that the panels will become even more scuffed?

Other "craftsmen" suggest using a flannel cloth with olive oil. Say, smeared, rubbed thoroughly and done!

Only laminate flooring is not parquet at all, which is saved by oil. Who will remove the greasy oil stain from the panel later?

Laminate manufacturers have long come up with methods of repairing it. Shallow seizures are masked with wax crayons, then polished.

Large chips and deep scratches are restored with acrylic filler. After drying, apply a special colored paste. Then gently clean and apply acrylic varnish.

And further. No matter how impressive it looks in the movies, you don't need to walk on such a floor in heels and in street shoes. Otherwise, you will have to crawl on your knees, covering up the scratches. The same applies to wet feet after showering or applying creams to the feet. Extra spots from bare feet - do you need it?

Advice. If the above means are not at hand, and the chip on the floor catches the eye, then there is another method. True, for him you need to have at least a little skills in laying a laminate board. The scratched panel is removed under the furniture, and the intact one is placed in its place. They just change places.

A cloth made of microfiber cloth is most optimal when caring for the laminate. When buying, you definitely need to touch it with your hands, because microfiber comes in different densities. Do not take tough!

It is strongly not recommended to use a dishwashing sponge. The reverse side is always rough, and these are inevitable scratches. At first they will not be visible, then more and more dust will accumulate in them. As a result, an ugly matte coating will appear.

A metal washcloth, a brush with a hard bristle, a rough household rag - forget forever when approaching the laminate! Planks shrink in horror from such cleaning tools, wrinkle and tear away the colored coating.

Advice. How to tell if a fabric is suitable for cleaning? It's very simple: run it along the inner bend of the elbow. Unpleasant? So we put it off. Are you feeling soft? We arm and go!

Specific spots

How to take care of your laminate flooring in your apartment? But no matter how you look after, ordinary people live in the apartment. It happens and they spill something, drop it, children can accidentally paint, guests come. Do not ask everyone to stop breathing towards the floor.

First of all, when any liquid is spilled on the flooring, you need to collect this liquid as soon as possible so that the coating does not swell in the future. And then dance from the nature of the resulting spot:

1. For universal cleaning, a solution of 9% ordinary white vinegar in water is suitable. The proportion is 1 to 5.
2. Traces of markers, varnishes, lipstick, ink, markers are perfectly removed if the stain is gently wiped with a soft cloth with acetone.
3. Gum or candle wax stuck? First, cool the damage with a piece of ice, then carefully remove. You can use a wooden spatula for less harm. If, nevertheless, the coating is damaged, then there are special coloring pencils.
4. Dropped food, left greasy stain? We'll have to look for a detergent with a neutral acid-base balance. All the same, it will come in handy on the farm.
5. Cream, glue, chocolate, blood, juices practically do not leave stains on the laminate, if they are removed as soon as they appear. Old stains will require the intervention of only a special detergent and gentle patient hands of the owner.

Ordinary white spirit copes well with stains on the flooring. Just don't leave it on the surface for more than five minutes. Gently rub quickly, remove residues with a damp cloth, wipe dry immediately with a soft cloth.

Advice. Before removing any stain, you need to try how the laminate reacts to the cleanser. It is advisable to do this in an inconspicuous place. Ideally - under furniture. At least no one will see the damage there.

Subtleties of care

1. It is necessary to wipe the boards with wet cleaning strictly longitudinally to the panels. So there will be fewer streaks and scratches, if suddenly there is a grain of sand on the cloth.
2. By the way, about the sand. If you put a rug with a high pile at the entrance to the apartment, then dirt and sand will remain on it. This means the laminate will be less scratched.
3. Do not wax or polish floors. The topcoat itself is quite smooth, even if matte. And after rubbing it will become simply traumatic.
4. It is undesirable to use any detergents often. Once a month is enough. On other days, clean water will be enough.
5. For an apartment, it is better to choose polished boards. Matte looks more impressive, but caring for them is much more difficult.
6. Sometimes, even if the floor is cleaned with plain water, stains remain on the panel drawing. This means that it was necessary to change the water to clean more often, and after washing it is recommended to wipe the boards dry. Naturally soft clean cloth.
7. Cannot be used for panel care ammonia... Instead of the expected gloss, ammonia will dissolve the protective acrylic coating.
8. When purchasing a new laminate care product, you should always try it on an inconspicuous area. If everything is ok, then you can wash the coating everywhere. You never know what manufacturers write there! What if this particular type of laminate is very moody?
9. Felt or cork glued to the furniture legs will allow the laminate to decorate the home for more than a dozen years without abrasion.
10. To be sure that after cleaning the laminate will survive, it is better to insure yourself and purchase a special tool. It costs a little more than a regular washing liquid. But compared to the new overlap of chemically damaged floors, this waste is mere pennies.

Laminate is a fairly durable coating if properly cared for. Of course, you don't need to be afraid to breathe on the floors, but diligent cleaning with an iron brush is also superfluous.

Video: how to wash laminate without streaks