Hardwood laminate flooring is said to be durable and tough against dirt, grime, and scratches. But laminate floors can only last as long as they are regularly cleaned and properly maintained. Without proper and effective maintenance, the hardwood laminate floors will last for only a few years and they are good for replacement due to advanced state of dilapidation, excessive depreciation, and damage.
Hardwood Laminate Flooring
As an owner of hardwood laminate floor, you are, therefore, encouraged to take good care of the classy yet stylish flooring that further adds beauty to the room, by enforcing an effective maintenance technique that keeps the floor always in top shape and in perfect condition. This is essential in preserving the quality of the laminate floors, and in extending its lifespan.
Take note that cleaning and maintenance are quite different. Cleaning is only part of the entire maintenance process. It is a short-term maintenance procedure. Maintenance, on the other hand, is more complex. It does not only involve cleaning, but also include repair of damages and doing measures to preserve the quality of the floor to make it last longer.
Hardwood laminate flooring is normally subjected to dust, dirt, stains, and scratches. Fortunately, this type of flooring has extremely strong and durable finish that enables the flooring to withstand rigorous use and harsh environmental condition.
It is highly resistant to all sorts of staining, liquid spills, and even paint or ink drops to some extent. However, its resistance is only good for a short while. Longer exposure to these stains will make them permanent. That is why, it is imperative to immediately wipe-off any stain with a soft cloth or old towel once it shows up. A delay can cause the liquid spill to warp or de-laminate the floor planks.
In the event of a liquor spill, use a dampened cloth soaked in warm water mixed with soap or a detergent bar to wipe off the spill. The same technique can also be used for ink stains. For more severe staining, use denatured alcohol in lieu of the water and soap mixture.
If you want to get rid of the grease stain, harden the grease stain first using an ice pack, and then scrape it off using a knife or plastic spoon. For chewing gums, gently take off the remaining gum using a stick or knife.
When it comes to dirt and dust, vacuum cleaning can do the trick. You can also use the conventional broom stick to dust off dirt particles. Just like stain, it is important to instantly get rid of dust, no matter how small the particles are. They may be small but mind you, these minute hard particles can cause permanent scratch on the hardwood laminate flooring if they are stepped-on and dragged.
When it comes to maintaining the hardwood laminate flooring, the process is quite different since it requires strict adherence to the maintenance schedule; unlike cleaning where the tasks are only performed when there are dirt and stain on the floors. In this case, even in the absence of dirt, it is still important to do the maintenance process to preserve the quality of the floor.
One of the many things that you must always remember is to avoid waxing the laminate floor, as you use to do with genuine hardwood flooring. Waxing will only cause the laminate flooring to look dull, thereby diminishing its finish in the end instead of making it shine.
Laminate floors are still susceptible to scratches, especially from furniture legs. To avoid scratching the floor, place carpets or floor rugs. Better yet, put some furniture pads underneath the furniture bottoms to prevent scratches on the floor.
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