The rules for the care of the laminate in the apartment

Different types of floor coverings have their own characteristics and require an individual approach to cleaning. Care should be taken for the laminate, otherwise it will quickly lose its original shine, and from excess moisture will swell. First of all, you need to protect it from mechanical damage - to attach felt overlays to the bottom of the furniture. To clean the floor, it will be right to choose tools without metal inserts and sharp edges. And so that no stains remain on the laminate and it shines, you should give preference to a microfiber rag or use a cleaning vacuum cleaner for cleaning. And finally, the third fundamental rule is the use of special chemistry.

Daily care

Laminate 32 and 33 class is by far the most popular. These two types of panels have the best ratio of quality, price and user characteristics. Having the wear resistance of AC 3 and above, they are quite resistant to water and mechanical damage. The upper protective coating has dirt-repellent properties, so daily care for the laminate is more than simple:

1. Dry cleaning. As the floor gets dirty, it is sweeping or vacuuming.
2. Wet cleaning. Laminated flooring (especially 32 grades and below) is not recommended to be washed too often. It is enough to refresh the floor once a week.

Laminate is washed with a slightly damp but not wet rag. So on it there are no stains and moisture does not penetrate into the micro-slots between the panels.

Choice of detergents

There is a separate line of household chemicals for laminate care. Such detergents not only gently clean the coating, but also disinfect, create a protective layer and seal the joints of the panels.

The most popular detergents:

• Emsal;
• Mellerud;
• "Mister proper";
• Starwax
• Denkmit;
• HG;

To wash the laminate with special means is desirable, but not necessary. At home, ordinary water will do fine with dust, and dirt and stains can be easily removed with laundry or liquid soap, dishwashing detergent, shampoo previously diluted in water (30–45 ml per 5 l).

Recipe from the people

Many housewives to wash the laminate are advised to use an air conditioner (rinse aid) to wash things. It removes statistical electricity, and all particles of garbage, dust easily lag behind the floor, and settle in a basin. After drying, beautiful glare appears on the coating.

Selection of cleaning equipment

To care for the laminate, you will need a standard set of tools: a mop, rags, a vacuum cleaner or a brush (broom) with a dustpan. Microfiber (microfiber) materials are best suited for coating. They are highly hygroscopic (absorbent) and leave the floor almost dry.

As for the mop, you need to choose the convenient one - with a bucket and wringer, or telescopic with nozzles. Permissible for the laminate and the use of a steam mop. The main thing is to use a low steam supply.

But using a washing vacuum cleaner is more difficult. Many models wet the floor heavily, which is dangerous for a laminated floor. The reviews praise the manufacturer's vacuum cleaners VAX. They cost about 15 thousand rubles, but they are able to wash the dark laminate in a way that you can’t do it with your hands - completely without stains.

For a laminate, automated polishers and vacuum cleaners are often taken. Robots quickly and effectively remove impurities, preventing them from eating into the coating and accumulating.

Complex stain removal

If you care for the laminate with the help of special tools, it will not be difficult to cope with most of the pollution.Grease, shoe marks, fruit juice, spilled coffee and other stains can be washed easily. Difficulties can arise if the coating appears:

• traces of slippers - they are erased with clerical gum or removed with baking soda (dot);
• wine or brandy stains - rubbed with any alcohol and washed off with warm water;
• blood stains - cool soapy water and a glass cleaner are used to remove;
• dried mud - 500 ml of water are poured into a spray bottle, add 3 tbsp. tablespoons of vinegar and 1 tbsp. a spoonful of soda. The spot is treated pointwise and after 5 minutes it is wiped with a dry microfibre cloth.

Do not use dry powders and products with chlorine or acetone to clean the laminate. The former, due to the presence of abrasive particles, leave scratches, and the latter damage the upper layer of the laminate, impair its elasticity.

Laminate and mechanical damage

Coating 32 and 33 classes is considered quite durable, but even it can be scratched with furniture. To preserve the excellent appearance, it is recommended to use special linings for the legs of the sofa, table, cabinet. Walking in an apartment is better in slippers with a soft sole or barefoot. In especially vulnerable places in the apartment, for example, in the corridor at the threshold, a rubber mat will be placed correctly.

What remedies are used for premature damage to the coating?

• To protect the laminate from damage and swelling, use wax. It seals locks and joints, does not leak moisture. In addition, you can pick up colored wax for rubbing into scratches. But you do not need to use it for the entire surface: unlike parquet, wax leaves spots on the laminated coating.
• A natural wax-free polish also masks flaws and makes the laminate smooth and shiny. The protective film that it forms extends the life of the coating. But there is one significant drawback - after applying it, the floor becomes very slippery. Residents of the apartment, and especially children, are at risk of injury.

Caring for a 33rd grade laminate is slightly easier than 32nd. Its coating is stronger and better protected from moisture. You can not be afraid that the rag is poorly wrung out, or the closet is without pads, or the hostess walked in heels.

Caring for a laminate at home is not much more difficult than linoleum. At the same time, it looks much more impressive and resembles a luxurious parquet board. The main thing is to ensure that the protective acrylic layer is not damaged by aggressive acids, alkali, sharp objects. And if this happened, then timely cover up the scratches with special wax mastic. Then the coating will last a long time, in the case of 32 and 33 classes - 10-15 years.