Laminate is a modern floor covering, which is a high-strength fiberboard plate treated with a decorative film and a protective layer of melamine or acrylic paint. This type of coating is multifunctional and has good wear resistance, therefore it is widely used in rooms for any purpose. To prolong the life of the material and maintain its presentable appearance, it is necessary to provide it with proper care.
Laminate classes
The wear resistance class of a laminate is a universal indicator of the service life of a coating with varying degrees of load exerted on it.
According to European standards, all products are divided into two groups of operation:
- 1. Commercial (grades 31-34) - for use in public institutions. Possesses high durability and the increased degree of protection. When used for its intended purpose, it lasts from 3 to 5 years, at home this period increases to 10-30 years.
- 2. Household (grades 21-23) - spreads in private houses, i.e. rooms with little traffic. Serves an average of 2 to 5 years. The design is lightweight, thin, medium strength, but the price is several times lower.
The method of caring for it directly depends on the class of wear resistance of the coating. So, commercial laminate of 33 and 34 classes is allowed to be washed every 2-3 days. For copies of 31 and 32 classes, no more than one wet cleaning per week is allowed. Materials up to class 31 should not be exposed to moisture at all.
Cleaning Features
Since representatives of the household operation group are sensitive to moisture, it is necessary to care for the laminate in the apartment as follows:
- 1. Minimize water use. Use a vacuum cleaner, broom or soft brush to clean the surface.
- 2. Carry out dry cleaning regularly - once every 2-3 days.
- 3. If liquid gets on the floor, immediately wipe the surface with a soft dry cloth, making movements from the joints to the center and thereby narrowing the affected area.
When working with a commercial group coating, the use of a damp cloth is acceptable. Before cleaning, it should be carefully squeezed out so that excess moisture does not spread over the floor and does not lead to a violation of the integrity of the joints, delamination or swelling. Rubbing is carried out by longitudinal movements, without pressure. It is recommended to use warm (but not hot) water. The average temperatures cope well with dirt and at the same time do not damage the protective coating of the floor tiles. Fluid should be changed as often as possible. This will help avoid divorce.
At the end of cleaning, the laminate is wiped dry with a highly absorbent cloth.
Tough stain removal
In case of formation of complex stains, it is necessary to start cleaning the surface immediately.
To begin with, the chosen method must be tested on a small area of \u200b\u200bthe laminate. Ideally, after the purchase, you should keep a small sample of the board for yourself in order to experiment with different cleaning products on it in the future. If it is not possible to find a piece of the slab, you need to test them somewhere in the corner of the room, where accidental damage will be invisible to the prying eye.
Note! After fixing the problem, it is recommended to treat the affected area of the floor with a restoring paste.
Floor cleaners
On the modern market of household chemicals there are special care products for laminate:
- Loba;
- laminated clear;
- Emsal Floor Care.
Simpler, neutral pH options, such as Mr. Proper or Glorix, will also work. You must carefully read the instructions.
As a rule, flooring manufacturers indicate the brands and names of gels or sprays suitable for the care of their products. These recommendations should be heeded, because an improperly selected product will very soon destroy the structure of the floor board and render it unusable.
Under no circumstances should parquet care products be used on laminate flooring. They contain beeswax in their composition, which adversely affects the structure of the protective coating. For the same reason, abrasives and glycerin-containing compounds should be abandoned.
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.
Laminate is widely used for flooring in apartments, houses and offices. The choice of laminate textures is quite large, from floorboard imitation to natural stone, and in terms of characteristics it often surpasses expensive finishing materials - this explains its popularity. In this article, we will tell you how to properly care for the laminate in order to extend its service life and maintain its original appearance.
Decorative laminated coating consists of separate lamellas, which are connected with end locks. This creates a smooth surface with high decorative properties. The design of the laminate largely determines the rules for its operation and maintenance.
The base of the laminate is a high-strength fiberboard with a stabilizing layer on the bottom and a decorative layer on top. The stabilizing layer consists of multi-layered kraft paper or melamine resin, it protects the base from deformation and improves sound insulation properties.
The patterned paper top cover is embossed with a layer of melamine or acrylic resin. The protective layer provides wear resistance and protects against damage. The lock connection, depending on the class of the laminate, can be treated with moisture-resistant impregnation.
Prices for laminate "Tarkett"
tarkett laminate
Classes of wear resistance and moisture resistance
The class of the laminate is regulated by the EN 13329 Standard and can be identified by the numerical marking.
- Laminate grades 21-23 economy class has been discontinued, but it can be found in some apartments. It does not have high wear resistance and is afraid of water. Laminate class 21-23 can only be used in rooms without high load - bedrooms, pantries, dressing rooms.
- Class 31 laminate with a wear resistance index (AC3) is designed for residential areas with low traffic, it is usually used in the decoration of a bedroom, nursery or living room. Not moisture resistant, subject to abrasion in passable places: doorways, corridors, so it is better to protect it with rugs.
- Class 32 laminate(AC4) is resistant to abrasion, it can be used in rooms with a large step load: kitchen, hallway, nursery. It also does not possess moisture resistance, excessive moistening of the coating when washing should be avoided.
- Class 33 laminate(AC5-AC6) refers to commercial coatings, it is resistant to abrasion and moisture, withstands frequent washing and high humidity. It can be used in any room.
Note! The frequency of wet cleaning and the recommended ways to protect it depend on the class of the laminate!
Daily care of laminate flooring
Laminate has antistatic properties, it does not attract dust and stays clean for a long time. Thanks to the top protective layer, the dirt is not absorbed into the coating and is easily cleaned during cleaning. However, even with the most careful attitude, it needs regular cleaning.
Laminate flooring can be divided into three types:
- dry cleaning;
- wet cleaning;
- cleaning of special contaminants.
Improper use of the laminate can lead not only to its premature abrasion, but also to the destruction of the coating.
Operation of the laminate - what can not be done?
- Excessive humidity is the enemy of laminate. When wet, the fiberboard base gets wet, swells, and the floor covering swells. The moisture-resistant coating protects the laminate only from splashing water; in case of serious leaks, the coating will inevitably suffer. If you have unreliable plumbing or small children, it is better to stop using laminate in the bathroom and kitchen.
Water is laminate flooring's worst enemy
- Sand and other abrasive contaminants lead to abrasion and minor scratches. Get in the habit of regularly sweeping or vacuuming the laminate flooring in the hallway, and place a special shoe mat by the door.
- Rearranging furniture is the main cause of deep scratches.. Use special felt pads for furniture legs, and put rugs under office chairs on wheels.
- Heels and claws - down! Hairpins, spikes and paws of pets can leave scratches and chips on the floor. Change your shoes to soft slippers, cut your pet's claws or lay a laminate with increased wear resistance.
- Hard brushes and abrasive cleaners are bad for laminate, they leave small scratches, over time, the protective coating loses its luster and resistance to dirt.
- Aggressive detergents are a sure way to destroy the protective coating. Leave bleach, alkaline or acid solutions to clean the tiles. It is better to wash the laminate with clean water or use special formulations with a neutral pH.
- Parquet wax will not improve the appearance of laminate flooring- it is not absorbed into the protective layer, but leaves stains and stripes on it. In addition, the waxed laminate becomes slippery and traumatic.
Dry cleaning laminate
For dry cleaning, use a broom, a soft cheek or a vacuum cleaner with a special nozzle with a long nap. Timely removal of dust and sand is enough to keep the laminate looking clean and fresh. Dry cleaning can be done daily, but thanks to the anti-static coating, 2-3 times a week is usually enough.
Note! The washing vacuum cleaner can only be used for cleaning class 33 laminate!
With timely dry cleaning, the laminate floor remains clean for a long time, so wet cleaning is carried out as needed, usually 1-2 times a week. Laminate class 33 can be washed daily - it is designed for constant cleaning and has sufficient moisture resistance.
Basic rules for wet cleaning laminate flooring.
- Clean water is used to wash the floor, change it as it gets dirty. The optimum water temperature is 35-45 degrees; when washing with warm water, there are fewer streaks.
- In case of severe pollution, special care products are used, you can also add a spoonful of 9% table vinegar or lemon juice to the water - this will refresh the color and give the surface a shine.
- The rag or sponge for mopping the floor is carefully wrung out to avoid excessive wetting of the laminate. It is better to use special wringer mops and microfiber cloths.
- Wash the laminate in the direction along the boards, with light movements without strong pressure.
- After washing, the laminate is thoroughly wiped with a dry cloth and dried.
Note! When washing laminate with bevels, make sure that no water remains in the recesses - this can lead to swelling of the boards.
Video - Daily Laminate Care
Table 1. Popular laminate care products.
| Name, photo | Short description |
|---|---|
| To care for laminate flooring and protect it from moisture and dirt. Based on soap and linseed oil. Contains aromatic additives. The product is diluted in warm water and wet cleaning is carried out. Provides good removal of dirt and further protection of a covering from pollution. A package of the product is enough for 15-25 cleanings, depending on the hardness of the water. |
| For everyday care and cleaning of heavy dirt. A non-ionic surfactant based product containing antibacterial components and an aromatic fragrance. Can be used in washing vacuum cleaners. One pack is enough for 10 cleanings. |
| For the care of laminate and natural cork flooring. Contains detergent surfactants, antibacterial and antistatic components. Fights organic pollution, traces of fat. Consumption of funds - packaging for 15 cleanings. |
| Argan oil cleanser. Leaves no streaks, adds shine to the floor, protects from dust and moisture. Easily removes grease and dirt, recommended for cleaning laminate flooring in kitchens and hallways. Contains fragrances that fill the house with a pleasant fresh smell. Economic consumption, packaging for 20-25 cleanings. |
| Means with a pronounced antibacterial effect. Not only cleans laminate floors well, but also disinfects them without harming the coating. Recommended for washing floors in apartments with small children. Leaves no streaks, has a pleasant smell, suitable for regular cleaning. The consumption of one package of the product is for 15-20 cleanings. |
Along with specialized tools, you can also use universal ones, such as Mr.Proper, Mr Muscle, Cif, Sanfor and other similar compounds. The main thing is to make sure before use that they do not contain aggressive acids, alkalis and abrasive inclusions. In terms of efficiency, such funds are practically not inferior to specialized ones, and their price is much lower.
Video - Means for washing laminate flooring through the eyes of a specialist
Special pollution
Stains on the laminate appear, as a rule, from accidentally spilled liquids or childish pranks. It is best to remove them immediately after the appearance, but this does not guarantee complete cleaning of the surface.
Table 2. Laminate stain removers.
| pollution | How to remove | Mode of application |
|---|---|---|
| Juices, wine, sweet drinks. Grease and dirt. | Liquid detergents for laminate flooring, liquid soap. | Dilute 50-100 ml of the product in a small amount of water, apply to the stain and wipe off with a soft sponge. Rinse thoroughly with water and wipe the floor dry. |
| Permanent marker, nail polish, paint. | Acetone or white spirit. | Apply the solvent to a cotton pad, gently wipe the stain, rinse with warm soapy water and wipe dry. |
| Children's markers, ink, lipstick. | Ethanol. | Apply alcohol to a cotton pad, wipe the stain, wipe with a damp sponge. |
| Blood and other protein contamination. | Window cleaner. | Apply the product from the sprayer, wait 1-2 minutes, wipe off with a dry cloth. |
| Wax, glue, chewing gum. | Plastic scraper, liquid soap. | Wait for complete solidification, you can cool with ice. Remove carefully with a plastic scraper. Clean the remaining stains with a soap solution, then wipe dry. |
| Stains and stripes from shoes. | Eraser. | Clean the stain with an eraser, wipe with a damp sponge. If the eraser cannot cope with the stains, you can use a soft abrasive: apply it to the sponge and rub the coating very gently in the direction of the texture. Rinse with water afterwards. |
Note! It is strictly forbidden to use products with ammonia for laminate flooring, they destroy the protective layer!
Video - Removing stains from laminate
Damage and their elimination
Despite the high wear resistance, scuffs, small and deep scratches, and chips appear on the laminate over time. It is necessary to eliminate damage in a timely manner, this will save the laminate from further destruction, water ingress into the base and, as a result, from deformation.
To eliminate small scratches, wax crayons or retouching markers are used. They allow you to paint over scratches and restore the water-repellent properties of the surface. A wide range of colors for laminate correctives allows you to accurately match the shade. Ready-made sets are also sold, including 3 or more shades of the desired color, by mixing them, you can achieve complete masking of damage.
Advice! Take laminate trimmings with you to the store - so you can most accurately select the shade of the corrector. If in doubt which of two similar shades to choose, choose a lighter one, it is less noticeable against the background of the rest of the floor
How to remove a scratch from a laminate with a wax crayon:
- clean the floor surface with a vacuum cleaner to remove fine particles of sand and dust. If necessary, degrease the damaged area with alcohol;
- apply the chalk of the desired color to the scratch;
- carefully rub the wax with a soft cloth until the scratch is completely rubbed;
- Remove wax residue with a soft cloth.
Wax has water-repellent properties, so the repaired floor can be subjected to wet cleaning. Over time, the wax grout may need to be updated.
How to remove a scratch with a retouch marker:
- vacuum the place of the scratch or chip, if necessary, wipe it with a cloth soaked in alcohol;
- shake the marker well for 10 seconds;
- press its rod inside the marker until a corrective composition appears;
- fill the crack with corrector in one or more layers;
- remove excess funds.
After using the marker, the damaged area can be varnished to fully restore the protective layer.
The deepest scratches and large chips are restored with a wax or paraffin-based putty, it is sold both separately and in repair kits. Putty is applied in a heated form, a special battery-operated soldering iron is used for heating, it is included in the repair kit, as well as a grouting spatula and a polishing cloth.
Table 3. How to repair a scratch on a laminate with putty.
| Steps, photo | Description of actions |
|---|---|
| Clean the restoration site from dust and dirt with a vacuum cleaner. Fat contamination must be removed with alcohol. Choose from a set of putty suitable shades. Turn on the soldering iron included in the repair kit and wait for it to warm up. |
| Gently melt a small amount of putty and apply it to the scratch. If the scratch covers an area of several shades, apply putty of a different color, trying to repeat the pattern. Wait for the putty to harden. |
| Remove excess putty with a special spatula. Apply a second layer if necessary. |
| Using a small amount of putty, draw individual small details of the picture. You can also use a retouch marker for this purpose. |
| Buff the repaired scratch with the included cloth. |
| Cover the damaged area with waterproof varnish, dry. |
Video - How to repair a deep scratch on a laminate with hard wax
If the damage is so great that it cannot be restored, it remains only to replace the damaged lamella. To do this, you will have to disassemble part of the floor from the nearest wall, and if partial disassembly is not possible, use the method described in the video.
Prices for wax pencils for laminate
pencil for laminate
Video - How to replace a damaged board in a laminate
If you follow all the recommendations for caring for a laminate, its service life will be at least 15 years. At the same time, the appearance of the coating will retain its shine and beauty, and your home will be stylish and cozy without the extra cost of replacing the flooring.
Laminate is the best flooring for apartments and cottages. It is an environmentally friendly, externally attractive, practical and affordable material that goes well with any type of interior decoration. One of the main advantages of laminate flooring is ease of maintenance. In order to preserve the original beauty of the floor covering for many years, it is enough to follow a few simple rules, clean it in a timely manner and use suitable products for this. Caring for a laminate in an apartment does not require much effort and high costs: the domestic market offers a huge range of special products designed for laminated floors.
When choosing a laminate in a particular room, you need to take into account the load on the floor, traffic and other features, since the durability of the laminate and its service life depend on the strength class. Will increase service life and - unique material on the basis of natural raw materials. There are separate groups of laminate for residential premises, offices and public places. The rules for caring for class 32 laminate and laminate of any other strength class are the same.
How to care for laminate in the apartment
It should be borne in mind that the most expensive and most difficult to maintain is a light-colored laminate, which most often has a glossy surface and is widely used as flooring for living rooms and bedrooms. On such a floor, dust and footprints are clearly visible, stains and stains are more noticeable. Laminate flooring in darker tones is much easier to care for, since this material most often has a relief surface, on which dirt is much less noticeable. No matter how durable, practical and high-quality a laminate is, proper care is of great importance for its safety and durability.
Laminate is an artificial flooring that imitates natural wood, stone or tile. Modern material is produced in high wear resistance classes, is not afraid of moisture, and is resistant to deformation. To maintain the aesthetic appearance and characteristics, constant care is required for the laminate, which has specific features.
The importance of caring for laminate flooring
Laminate has high antistatic properties - it does not collect dust, the surface remains visually clean for a long time. The decorative protective layer prevents the penetration and absorption of contaminants into the underlying layers, it is easy to clean during cleaning.
But even with careful care, the material needs regular cleaning, which is conditionally divided into:
- wet;
- dry;
- removal of specific contaminants.
Improper use and neglect of cleaning laminate flooring are the main causes of premature abrasion of the decorative coating and its destruction.
Laminate has a complex structure, reminiscent of its structure layer cake. The top layer is a film that provides decorative properties and durability of the coating. It is she who requires care, as she scratches and wears out over time.
In addition to ensuring constant cleanliness, deformation prevention is equally important. Every day, sand and a variety of solid particles enter the house on the soles of shoes, which have an abrasive effect on the coating.
Another enemy of laminate flooring is water. These days, waterproof brands of laminate are being produced, the cost of which is too high even for people with average incomes. Therefore, prolonged presence of moisture should be avoided.
Cleaning methods
There are several ways to clean laminate flooring.
Dry
Dry cleaning is performed using:
- broom;
- brushes with non-rigid bristles;
- vacuum cleaner with long hair nozzle.
To care for the laminate at home, regular cleaning of the resulting dust and sand brought from the street is quite enough. Normal cleaning is recommended to be done daily, but taking into account the antistatic effect of the floor, 2-3 times a week is enough.
A washing vacuum cleaner may be used for cleaning only if the coating complies with class 33 and above.
Wet
If you do not forget about periodic dry cleaning, the floor stays clean for a long time, so wet cleaning should be done about 1-2 times a week. Daily wet maintenance of laminate flooring is allowed only for moisture resistant classes.
During the cleaning process, you must adhere to the following rules:
- Only clean water of 35-45°C should be used, periodically replaced. Under such conditions, there are almost no streaks left on the floor.
- For heavy soiling, the use of special products is recommended. Also, to refresh the shade and shine of the surface, lemon juice or a spoonful of 9% vinegar is added to the water.
- The floor should be treated with a carefully wrung out cloth or sponge to avoid waterlogging the surface. It is recommended to use microfiber and a mechanical wringer mop.
- It is necessary to wash the laminate in the direction of laying the boards, the movements should be light, without much pressure.
- At the end of cleaning, the surface is carefully wiped with a clean, dry cloth and dried.
The chamfered coating must be washed in such a way that moisture does not accumulate in the depressions, leading to the expansion of the elements.
Cleaning with special products
Safe Substances
The stores have a huge selection of cleaning compounds for laminate flooring and caring for it. But they should not be used daily, but only in cases where severe pollution cannot be removed by wet cleaning with improvised means available in every home.
It is recommended to purchase a product for the care of the laminate and its cleaning only from trusted manufacturers, whose products have shown themselves only on the good side. The point here is not advertising and brand promotion, but the fact that little-known cleaners may contain substances that destroy the upper decorative layer. The floor after their application is unlikely to be able to shine as before.
Among the huge variety of products suitable for caring for laminate, brands such as Tyron, Mister Muskul, Glorix, Mister Proper stand apart.
Valuable advice can be given by a seller from a specialized section of a hypermarket.
home remedies
You can also take care of the coating with self-prepared compositions. They do not harm the coating and are able to effectively remove almost any contamination. For cleaning it is allowed to use:
- Any baby shampoo that always has a neutral chemical composition. In a bucket filled with warm water, add 5 tbsp. spoons of shampoo, the mixture is thoroughly mixed.
- To clean light dirt, you can use a solution consisting of vinegar and water in a ratio of 1 to 4.
- It is also allowed to use a mixture of vinegar and lemon juice, which helps to perfectly polish the glossy surface. To prepare the mixture, you will need 1.5 cups of vinegar, a glass of lemon juice and 2 cups of warm water. 2-3 drops of dishwashing detergent are added to the resulting mixture. The resulting solution foams, it wipes the surface. The product has a polishing effect.
Prohibited Substances
Before you begin to care for the laminate using various chemicals, you must study the manufacturer's recommendations, as well as adhere to the following rules:
- You can not use bleach and products containing such a component, for example, "Whiteness". Chlorine contributes to the rapid discoloration of the surface, changes the shade of the coating.
- It is forbidden to use concentrated acids and caustic alkalis. Such substances spoil the outer decorative coating, penetrate and destroy the base of the laminate - fiberboard.
- It is not permissible to use disinfectants and solutions containing ammonia, which worsens the gloss when exposed to the laminated surface.
- Do not use polishes designed to care for other types of coatings. There are no universal compositions that are equally suitable for all types of surfaces. A special polish for laminate is produced, and the use of a “foreign” product is fraught with the formation of streaks and hard-to-remove stains, turbidity.
- To avoid scratches, do not use abrasive powders and pastes, or work with a hard brush on the laminate. They cause rapid wear and loss of aesthetic properties of the coating.
- It is not recommended to wash the floor with a wet, not wrung out cloth with plenty of water. Moisture penetrates into the cracks, which causes the wood fiber base to swell and damage the coating.
- Detergents should be used in strict accordance with the dosage requirements of the manufacturers. The result of excessive use of detergent compositions can be stains on the surface and damage to the laminate.
How to remove tough stains from laminate flooring
To remove greasy stains or traces of juice, chocolate or wine from the surface of the laminate, the contaminated area is first treated with a conventional cleaning compound that has a neutral pH level. If the manipulations were ineffective, you can wipe the surface with ethyl alcohol.
On the floor in the hallway, there are often traces of lipstick and shoe polish. To remove them, use a cotton pad soaked in white spirit or acetone.
In the same way, you can get rid of ink, marker or chemical pencil stains.
If the traces of the felt-tip pen are not wiped off, the stain is smeared with toothpaste, and then wiped with a soft, dry cloth.
At the same time, the dirt is preliminarily collected with a linen or cotton rag, which absorbs the moisture present on the floor. After applying the paste, you need to wait a few minutes and wipe the surfaces with a damp cloth.
Stripes from shoe soles are easily removed with the hard side of a dishwashing sponge or a piece of nylon. But most often, shoe marks are erased with an ordinary school eraser, as well as moistened baking soda.
Nylon is also used when it is necessary to remove a dried drop of blood after careless handling of a sharp kitchen knife. The window cleaning spray has the same effect as nylon.
To eliminate traces of nail polish, a small amount of washing powder is poured onto the stain and gently wiped with a moistened sponge.
Chewing gum, wax from candles or resin is recommended to be removed only after they have completely hardened. To work, you need to use a plastic scraper that cannot damage the decorative surface. The stain can be quickly cooled with a bag of frozen meat removed from the freezer, and then the contamination is gently removed. When using a metal knife or scraper, scratches may remain on the surface.
Damage
To remove a small scratch, a wax pencil is used that matches the tone of the floor:
- the place around the scratch is cleaned, the resulting dust is removed;
- the place of the defect is processed with a pencil until it disappears completely;
- the area is rubbed with a dry cloth until the color matches the rest of the surface.
For deep scratches, you should use a special mastic applied with a plastic glass that comes with the material. Excess paste is removed, the surface is polished with a soft cloth.
Pencil or mastic can be easily matched to any color of the laminate - dark, light, complex shades, for a matte surface.
How to extend the service life
Laminate is considered quite sensitive and "capricious" floor covering, the life of which any owner wants to extend. To do this, you must follow a few simple rules:
- you can not move on the floor in studded shoes, shoes with heels, high heels, it is better to walk in soft slippers or barefoot;
- in daily loaded places (by the sofa or bed, in the children's room, next to the front door), it is recommended to lay rugs or lay special silicone pads;
- it is necessary to constantly monitor the cleanliness of the coating, do not move heavy furniture, quickly wipe off water that accidentally hits the surface;
- to install vases with flowers, you should use special stands or linings, which can also lie under the legs of furniture;
- repair scratches and chips in a timely manner to avoid further damage to the coating.
Like any other material used as a floor covering, laminate has its own characteristics. The specifics of the coating care are as follows:
- the laminated surface is afraid of prolonged exposure to water, so you should always wipe the floor dry after wet cleaning or accidental ingress of any liquid;
- acid-containing, alkaline, abrasive cleaners, as well as metal tools, are not suitable for working with laminate;
- before any treatment of the coating, you should first test the cleaning agent on an inconspicuous area to ensure that there is no reaction to active substances;
- stains of any origin cannot be soaked;
- cleaning agents should not be left on the surface for a long time;
- drying of the coating should be carried out only in a natural way, do not use a fan, heater or hair dryer.
The main rule, the observance of which will ensure the preservation of the appearance of the laminate for many years, is careful use, systematic cleaning and the implementation of the manufacturer's recommendations regarding operation and maintenance.