The Dos and Don’ts of Maintaining Laminate Flooring

Just installed or considering installing laminate flooring in your home? In this post, our experts share their all-important tips and tricks on how to take the best care of it.

From quick and fuss-free installation to enhancing the aesthetic of your space, laminate flooring is the ideal choice for pretty much any home.

Whether you’ve had laminate flooring in your home for years and think it might be time for a refresh, or you’re considering replacing your old, worn-out carpet, it’s important you know how to maintain it properly.

Especially if you want it to last and get your money’s worth.

Here, our flooring specialists at British Flooring walk you through the ever-important dos and don’ts of maintaining your new laminate flooring!

Do: Follow the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions

Although most laminate flooring requires the same basic cleaning routine, you should always check the manufacturer-provided guidance for more specific instructions.

Many companies will have detailed product guides on their website, so make sure to read through these before you get to cleaning.

Don’t: Let stains sit on the floor

If spills are left to sit on your laminate flooring for too long, they can potentially cause irreversible damage – even if your flooring is waterproof.

Make sure to wipe up any spills immediately, using a clean, dry microfibre cloth or soft sponge and gently blot until all the liquid is absorbed.

Do: Invest in a |high-quality underlay

Many people think that underlay is just an optional additional expense, but we can assure you that it’s much more than that.

Unless your laminate flooring has pre-attached underlay, you’ll need to purchase a separate underlay for your project.

The extra layer of cushioning will significantly improve the way your floors look and feel, and protect them against damage.

Here at British Flooring, we stock an extensive range of high-quality laminate flooring underlays that are the perfect accompaniment for your new flooring.

Don’t: Use abrasive cleaning tools and chemicals

Scouring pads, steel wool, and abrasive cleaning chemicals – like bleach and ammonia, for example – should never be used to clean laminate flooring, as they can cause irreversible damage.

When using store-bought cleaners, always read the label to ensure they’re suitable for use on laminate flooring.

Do: Clean your floors regularly.

Sweeping loose dirt, dust, and other debris up with a soft-bristled brush, or going over your floors with your vacuum cleaner every day will ensure your laminate flooring remains scratch-free and keep it looking like new for many years to come.

In most homes, laminate floors will need deep cleaning every two weeks or so, which entails a soft, microfibre mop, and specialised cleaning products or a mixture of water and a mild vinegar solution.

If you’ve kept on top of daily vacuuming/sweeping, this shouldn’t take you too long at all.

Don’t: Use too much water

Laminate floors don’t handle excessive water very well.

You should keep water, and any other liquids for that matter, to an absolute minimum to avoid damage.

Even if your laminate is water-resistant, liquids can pool and seep through the top layer, causing discolouration and the planks to warp, buckle, and become loose.

Rather than using a traditional mop and bucket, invest in a microfibre mop and dampen it with your chosen cleaning solution to keep your floors spick and span.

Need more expert advice?

Whether you’ve just installed laminate flooring and need more expert tips on how to look after it, or are looking for some laminate flooring underlay recommendations, our experts at British Flooring would be more than happy to help!

Give us a call today on 0203 3259082 or email us at sales@british-flooring.co.uk and we’ll be in touch to answer your questions!