Brilliant results: we take care of the laminate correctly. Caring for laminate flooring: how to preserve the floor covering for a long time? Proper care of laminate flooring

Caring for laminate flooring has its own characteristics, and this should not be forgotten. If everything is done correctly, the laminate floor will look like new even several years after repair. On the other hand, a small mistake can lead to swelling of the coating, deformation, and disruption of texture, pattern and color.

Caring for laminate flooring in an apartment or house consists of three main procedures:

daily removal of dust and dirt;
weekly wet cleaning with special detergents;
restoration measures as necessary or every six months.

Better to use professional products for high-quality and safe care of laminate flooring, but in extreme cases, homemade, homemade ones will do. Read more about the intricacies of cleaning laminate floors below.

Caring for a laminate floor will be easier if you understand what and how it is made. Is not natural wood like parquet, but not completely artificial material, laminate has its own characteristics. Professional builders This material is sometimes called layer cake for its structure:

The bottom layer is stabilizing. This is reinforced cardboard that is impregnated with melamine. Melamine enhances its strength and moisture resistance; sometimes kraft cardboard is additionally covered with a layer of sound-proofing material.
The load-bearing layer is the body of the laminate, in budget options it is represented by dense chipboard, in premium materials - natural wood. It is in this layer that grooves and locks are cut for a strong connection of the lamellas.
The outer layer is decorative. It is always made from thick paper with impregnation and a laminated coating, but the design can be anything you want - depending on a natural stone, brick, wood, etc. The wear resistance and durability of the laminate depend on the quality of the laminated coating.

IN Lately They also began to produce laminate with increased moisture resistance. Its body is not wood or chipboard, but a very durable polymer with air chambers.

Caring for this type of laminate is extremely simple, but this type of coating also costs several times more. Because if, when renovating an apartment or house, you chose classic version- be sure to read on, the advice of experienced users will definitely be useful to you.

Most consumers with average incomes prefer to install economy-class laminated floors in their apartments - that is, with a chipboard base. Chipboard is quite durable, economical, but at the same time very hygroscopic.

The moisture resistance of this material is not very high; if it gets very wet, the chipboard will swell, increase in volume and become deformed. Therefore, such floors cannot be flooded with water - they will deteriorate, despite the laminated coating.

But this does not mean that wet cleaning is excluded. Laminate floors can and should be washed, following certain rules.

You can use warm or cold water and liquid products designed specifically for the care of laminate floors - for example, Mister Muscle or Propper.
Do not wash laminate flooring with hard brushes or use abrasive pastes and powders - only liquid gels and mops with a soft attachment or rag.
It is important to wring out the brush or rag well. Excessive moistening of the laminate will not only lead to its swelling - unsightly stains will remain on the surface after drying.
After treatment with a solution with detergent definitely need to mop the floor clean water, again using a well-wrung out rag or a special mop.
Finally, the floor is either wiped dry or left to dry naturally. It is not recommended to turn on heaters and walk on a washed wet floor.

Do not forget that before wet cleaning, dry cleaning must be done - using a soft broom or vacuum cleaner with a special attachment, remove all dust from the surface of the laminate and baseboards. By the way, use washing vacuum cleaner cannot be used for cleaning laminate flooring. The only exceptions are the most advanced units, in which the manufacturer provides a similar function.

Alternative detergents for laminate floors

Some housewives, in order to save money or for other reasons, prefer not to use household chemicals to clean the house. Products from the supermarket are in most cases hypoallergenic and do not affect the well-being of small children or pets. But in some cases, precaution will not hurt. What home remedies can you use to care for laminate flooring?

pH neutral baby shampoo. For a five-liter bucket, just add two spoons of baby mild shampoo and foam the water. Then it is necessary to wipe the laminate with a clean damp cloth;
table vinegar. You can use it in two ways. in the first case, add half a glass of vinegar directly to a bucket of warm or hot water and quickly wash the laminate. In the second case, first prepare a solution for treating particularly dirty areas: dissolve a quarter cup of vinegar in a liter of water, pour the liquid into a container with a spray bottle. First, the resulting product is applied to dirty areas and wiped with a wet cloth, then the entire floor is washed completely. Vinegar effectively removes heavy stains, destroys bacteria and restores the shine of dull laminate flooring.

It is not recommended to use soda or citric acid to clean laminate flooring - crystals of these substances can damage the integrity of the top floor covering.

Restoration measures for damaged laminate

Laminate, like any other flooring, suffers during operation. The main damages to which it is susceptible:

various stains - juice, coffee, tea, grease, etc.;
chips and scratches - shoes, animal claws, fragments of fallen dishes or other objects can easily damage the upper protective film on laminated floors;
swelling - caused by spilled liquid, improper cleaning, high humidity in room;
drawings with marker, felt-tip pen, paints - glossy floor, especially if it light shades, is very attractive to young artists in the family.

If you discover one of them, do not be upset - for every problem there is a solution. You can remove abrasions, scratches and cracks using a special wax pencil or paste, which can be purchased at a hardware store.

First, the damaged area of the laminate must be thoroughly cleaned of dust, and then treated with paste and pencil - the product is applied until the recess is completely filled. Then the laminate needs to be polished with a dry, soft, lint-free cloth.

A pencil is more suitable for removing scuffs and shallow scratches. if the damage is severe, it is better to use paste or mastic. Please note: you can walk on the treated lamella only after a couple of hours; until this moment it is better to cover it with a napkin or dry cloth.

Pick up desired shade You can mix several different ones. Then the restored laminate will look perfect again.

Chips on laminate flooring appear if a heavy object is dropped on the floor - a stool, pan, book, etc. The chip can only be removed using a special putty. First you need to warm it up, then quickly apply it with a spatula, smooth it out and remove the residue. After drying, the treated area is rubbed, sanded and polished.

Various stains on laminate flooring can be removed using the following means:

felt-tip pens and markers - toothpaste or nail polish remover;
blood - glass cleaner;
drinks and food - alcohol or lemon.

And one last tip: colored mastic based on natural wax, which is used to mask scratches and abrasions on laminate flooring, should be applied once every six months, even if the coating is not damaged. Such products will restore the color and gloss of the floor, protect it from mechanical stress and moisture, and extend its service life.

But you should not be too zealous: Excess mastic will lead to the formation of unsightly stains on the surface and dulling of the laminate.

Features of caring for laminate flooring and how to wash it. How to properly restore flooring and extend its service life. What not to do when cleaning.

The content of the article:

Caring for laminate flooring is a task faced by everyone who has installed this flooring at home or in an apartment. When starting a renovation, think through all the pros and cons of such finishing. It also wouldn’t hurt to learn how to care for laminate flooring correctly and what to do when emergency situations(stains from permanent dyes, felt-tip pens, grease, swelling due to accidentally spilled water, chips from heavy objects falling on the floor).

Structure of laminate flooring

This type of coating is often called laminated parquet, but the difference between the two types of finishing is significant. Laminate is a kind of layered cake", which consists of:

Stabilizing layer. It is presented in thick kraft cardboard impregnated with melamine. To improve the sound insulation properties of the laminate, in some cases a sound insulation layer is also glued to it.
Load-bearing layer. This is the actual “body” of the laminate. In economy class models and some mid-range models price category made from thick chipboard. In an expensive laminate, the load-bearing layer is natural wood. It is much stronger than chipboard. Locks are cut out in the supporting layer to connect adjacent lamellas.
Decorative layer. Plain paper, printed with a pattern and impregnated with melamine. Thanks to this layer, the laminate imitates everything - river pebbles and marble, natural wood various breeds and ceramic tiles.
Top or protective layer. How long the appearance of the coating will please you depends on its thickness and quality.

In addition to classic laminate, there are waterproof types of this flooring. The main layer in them is not wood or chipboard, but a special durable plastic with air chambers. Caring for such a laminate is 90% easier than conventional and moisture-resistant ones with a wood/chipboard base.

How to properly wash laminate flooring

Wood does not like water, especially for materials made from waste from the wood industry. Since 80% of us like to save money, we buy laminate either economy class or medium, the basis of which is chipboard. Chipboard is afraid of water - it swells with prolonged exposure, rendering the coating unusable.

However, laminate flooring can and should be washed, although not too often. The main thing is to choose the right detergents for this. It is difficult to find household chemicals just for laminate flooring. Any non-aggressive product in the form of a gel or liquid diluted in water is suitable for the floor. Soak a rag in the solution, wring it out well and wipe the floor with it.

Laminate floor care products that can be found in any store household chemicals- Mr. Propper and Mr. Muscle. Dilute them with water according to the instructions, wet a rag and wipe the floor. Perfect option- buy a special mop, on which, using a simple device, you can thoroughly wring out the washing surface.

If Muscle and Propper are not at hand, you can use any laminate detergent with a neutral pH for cleaning. If you don’t have the right one, look at what ingredients are included in your existing household chemicals. The simpler the composition (non-ionic substances, fragrance, preservatives), the safer remedy. Knowing what and how to properly wash laminate flooring, you will preserve its attractive appearance for a long time.

Let's look at the methods wet cleaning laminate:

Method one “water and rag”. For cleaning, use a flat mop that has a device for wringing out the cleaning cloth. Pour water into a bucket, wet a cloth, and wring it out using the special lever on the mop. Give the floor a quick wipe, then buff it by hand with a dry cloth.
Method two: “hot water and a rag”. Use very hot water, but not boiling water. The procedure is the same: wet, squeeze, wash, wipe. Hot water is best for removing possible stains from laminate flooring.
Method three “water and vinegar”. Relevant if the floor in some places is dirty and no longer shines. Pour into a liter lightly warm water? cups white vinegar, stir. Pour into a spray bottle and arm yourself with a soft, dry cloth. Spray the product onto small area floor and start wiping immediately. When the surface becomes shiny, rinse it with clean water, wipe it dry and continue cleaning.
Method four “baby shampoo”. Pour heavily into the bucket hot water, add a couple of tablespoons of baby shampoo and stir. Clean according to classic type. Finally, thoroughly dry the floor.

Note! Household chemicals should not contain sodium hypochloride. You can use this composition once. But frequent washing of laminate flooring will lead to loss of shine and discoloration.

Features of laminate restoration

Caring for a laminate floor is not only dry and wet cleaning, but also emergency help coating in case of scratches, chips, or swelling. Of particular note are stains from juices, wine and drawings with felt-tip pens. A laminate floor is a convenient easel for children, so multi-colored stripes, or even entire paintings, especially if a little artist lives in the house, can appear regularly.

How to fix scratches on laminate flooring

Scratches appear as a result of improper use of the floor covering - from children's toys (cars), moving furniture without pads under the legs. Such defects on the floor cannot be left unattended. Grains of sand will gradually increase the size of the scratch, and dust and possible dirt will get stuck, as a result you will have to replace the entire lamella, and this is already a small repair.

To remove a small defect, use wax pencil(match the tone of the floor):

Clean the scratch and remove all dust from the floor using a vacuum cleaner.
Run a pencil over the scratch. Repeat the action until the flaw disappears.
Polish with a dry cloth.

If the defect is deep, a pencil will not help, use either mastic or paste:

Apply mastic plastic glass(included), remove excess from the surface, polish with a soft cloth. You can walk around this place right away.
The paste is thinner than mastic. Apply it with a plastic spatula to the cleaned scratch, smooth it out, wipe with a damp sponge and then with a dry soft cloth. Cover the area with something. You can walk on it in a couple of hours.

Pick up a pencil desired color not difficult. On sale you can find a shade to match any laminate. It’s more difficult with mastics and pastes; they are produced in a limited palette of colors. To get the desired shade, you will have to experiment: take several colors and mix in different proportions until you get the right one.

How to remove chips on laminate flooring

Appears as a result of a heavy object falling to the floor. Most often found in the kitchen. Caring for such a floor involves prompt repairs, since the chipped area is most susceptible to penetration of moisture, dust, and debris.

Clean up the defect. Melt the special putty using a burner. Apply it to the defect and immediately remove any excess that gets onto the surface of the laminate near the chip. Let cure, sand and polish.

Take care of this floor in the same way as before: daily dry cleaning, wet cleaning 2 times a week, application of a special product once a year. products (mastics).

Elimination of laminate swelling

Occurs if water is spilled on the floor and is not cleaned up immediately. A wet lamella increases in size, its edges swell and curl. If a lot of time has passed since the water entered, the situation can only be corrected by replacing the floorboard.

If the lamella has spent an hour and a half under water, try to save it:

Disassemble the floor a little further from the “accident” site.
Place the swollen floorboards on a flat surface (on paper) and leave to dry.
Do not assemble the floor, arrange a good draft that will remove moisture from the space under the laminate.
Reassemble the floor and place the damaged lamella away from any source of possible moisture.

Caring for the floor after an accident is standard, but be sure to treat all joints between the slats with sealant. It is very good if the locks are coated with it while assembling the floor covering.

Removing designs from laminate flooring

The method for removing marker stains depends on what base the ink is made from. There are several options to get rid of them:

Take an eraser, preferably a Kokhinorov eraser, and erase the drawing with it. If the idea is a success, finish the job by soaking the cotton wool in alcohol or vodka, and then wipe the floor with any suitable detergent and wipe dry. The method is effective for alcohol-based markers.
Take a microfiber cloth and try to erase the design. Afterwards, wipe the area with a damp and then a dry cloth.
Squeeze onto stain toothpaste. Take a microfiber and erase the marker. If it works, repeat on the remaining drawings. Then wipe the floor with a damp and dry cloth. Do not use whitening toothpaste or gel!
Soak a cotton pad in nail polish remover, acetone or white spirit. Try it on a small piece of laminate. If the marker is removed, but the floor surface remains the same, carefully remove other traces of the child’s creativity.
Markers on water based Easily washed off with clean water. Don't forget to wipe the floor dry after cleaning.

How to remove stains from laminate flooring

In addition to drawings with felt-tip pens, blood can get on the floor from an accidental cut, resin from a Christmas tree, alcohol during a holiday, stripes from street shoes if one of the household members decides to run around the house without undressing.

Dealing with such stains is not difficult:

Dried blood can be removed with any window cleaner.
The resin from the Christmas tree needs to be frozen (put ice from the freezer on top), then carefully separated from the floor with a plastic scraper. Wash the area with window cleaner.
Color alcoholic drink can be removed with water and detergent (one of the Mr. Propper or Muscle will do). If it doesn’t work, soak a cotton swab in denatured alcohol and try it on a small piece of laminate, and then evaluate what happens. If the floor surface is not damaged, remove the entire stain. After this, wipe the floor with a damp and then a dry cloth.
Streaks from the rubber soles of street shoes can be removed with a regular eraser - just wipe them off the floor and then rinse it off. And don't forget to wipe dry!

Rules for caring for laminate flooring

There are several varieties of this flooring: regular, intended for installation in rooms with normal humidity, and moisture-resistant, which is laid where there is a high probability of accidentally spilling water (in the kitchen).

Moisture-resistant laminate It is allowed to be placed in the bathroom, but you will have to use the shower carefully. A few drops of moisture will not harm the coating, but regular spills of water will ruin even the most expensive laminate. For bathroom the best option- waterproof plastic version.

The rules for caring for laminate flooring regulate the procedure for cleaning the floor for a long time will remain beautiful. They must be produced constantly:

Pay attention to the entrance area. Dust, sand, and soil particles always collect here. To prevent them from spreading throughout the room, place a dust-collecting mat at the entrance. Every time you come in from the street, wet clean this area and shake out the rug. Clean entry - 50% of your laminate floor care work!
Remove all sharp objects. You cannot walk on home laminate flooring in high-heeled shoes and move furniture (on commercial laminate flooring you can). To avoid scratches and dents, wear slippers around the house and furniture legs“shoe” them into felt shoes or glue special pads on them, which are sold at any hardware store.
Replace regular rollers with rubber ones. Some furniture (for example, chairs for working at a computer) is equipped with wheels, but in 90% of cases they are plastic. If you ride them on the laminate, stripes will inevitably remain, which are difficult to get rid of. Replace these rollers with rubber ones and skate to your health!
Eliminate or minimize water on the floor. If the joints between the slats are well-insulated, moisture-resistant laminate can be safely exposed to moisture for up to an hour. Then the water will still find a tiny crack and begin to seep inside.
Caring for laminate flooring in the kitchen comes down to limiting moisture ingress: provide everything flower pots deep saucers, lay a rug on the floor near the sink. If water gets on it, remove it to dry and lay it dry.
Carry out dry cleaning using a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush attachment.
Do wet cleaning with a well-wrung out cloth no more than 2 times a week. Change the water frequently while cleaning to avoid leaving streaks on the floor. Be sure to wipe the surface dry with a soft cloth or piece of microfiber.
Use only special laminate care products.
Once a year, treat the floor with a special mastic.

What not to do when caring for laminate flooring

Laminated surfaces are quite difficult to maintain, despite the fact that immediately after installation and during the time it takes protective covering whole, it is enough to vacuum the floor regularly and wipe it with a slightly damp cloth several times a week.

The following actions cannot be performed if you plan to keep the coating in its original form for as long as possible:

Use products containing alkali and acid, and powders containing abrasive particles.
Use sharp objects for cleaning.
Throw water on the floor while cleaning.
Keep a lot of pets. If you love cats and dogs, install a more affordable covering, for example, linoleum or a higher-class laminate.
Use parquet products containing wax and oil to treat the surface. They do not penetrate inside the lamellas, creating a film on the surface to which dust and debris adhere well.
Use shine products containing glycerin. When they get into the joints, they swell the edges of the lamellas.

How to care for laminate flooring - watch the video:

Caring for laminate flooring at home is quite simple. It is much more important and difficult to properly operate this coating. Teach your family to undress at the entrance, and then walk barefoot or in soft slippers, do not spill water on the floor and do not draw with felt-tip pens! Then cleaning will consist of a daily “walk” with a vacuum cleaner and one-time weekly “runs” with a damp cloth.

There is an opinion that laminate is a rather capricious coating. In fact, this is not entirely true; laminate flooring is an excellent alternative to parquet or boards. It has fairly high performance characteristics, the material is warm and easy to maintain. It does not require additional painting or varnishing. So that the floor lasts long years you need to know how to care for laminate flooring.

Minimum water, maximum accuracy

In order for laminate flooring to last for many years, you need to properly care for it from the very beginning of its use. Most coatings are susceptible to moisture, which has a detrimental effect on the quality of the interlocking joints, leading to swelling of the panels and deterioration in overall performance properties. Recently, a waterproof laminate has appeared, which has a special coating that effectively repels water and protects the floor from damage.

Note! When choosing a laminate with a waterproof coating, it is very important that protection is also present at the locking joints.

Apart from the exception excess moisture, there are a few more rules for preserving the appearance of the coating:

As you can see, caring for laminate flooring is quite simple, the main thing is to avoid excess moisture, mechanical damage and use products suitable for maintenance of the coating.

Care products

The main care of laminate flooring is to remove dust and dirt. A regular vacuum cleaner with a gentle brush is perfect for this. It is advisable to carry out wet cleaning no more than 3 times a week. A soft cloth, a mop with lint or a foam attachment is suitable for this. They are moistened in water and squeezed thoroughly. For cleaning, you can use special laminate care products, or you can wash it with plain clean water.

Note! Wipe the floor in the direction of the lamellas.

The use of powders and aggressive alkaline agents is unacceptable. When cleaning with concentrated soap solutions, it may appear white coating. You can simply remove it with a glass cleaner containing alcohol. You can simply use an alcohol solution. Dampen a rag in it, wring it out and wipe the coating. Now there is big choice products specifically for laminate.

How to remove stains on the coating:

Wine, beer, juices should be wiped immediately with a soft cloth.
Marker, nail polish, and paint can be removed with an acetone solution. It is important to apply only to the stain itself and not to go beyond it, so as not to dissolve the protective film of the coating.
Various stains can be removed by special means, for this they are applied according to the instructions. You can try washing it with coating cleaning concentrate.

When removing stains, it is important not to use sharp or hard objects. If the stain cannot be removed and greatly spoils the appearance of the coating, then only partial replacement of the laminate will help.

Elimination of defects

The most common defects on laminate flooring are chips, scratches and unevenness.

Chips on laminate flooring occur when heavy or sharp objects fall; if possible, replace damaged slats. If replacement is not possible, then they are covered with pastes and covered with a composition for laminate. You can purchase laminate repair products in specialized stores.

For repair use:

Putties. Most often they come in a set with a spatula and several dyes.
Sets with soldering iron. In addition to a special soldering iron, the set includes wax plates for filling chips. Repairs are carried out according to the instructions, which should be included in the kit.
Wax briquettes or pencils. They allow you to quickly repair a scratch; there is a choice of colors in stores. The only negative is that they wear out quickly. Therefore, for the durability of the repair, the filled recess must be coated with a fixative or varnish.

Regardless of what repair agent is used, the damage is thoroughly cleaned of contaminants, degreased and only then filled. Varnishing is done only after complete drying. For greater durability, you can coat it 2-3 times.

When the coating swells from moisture cosmetic repairs cannot be done, and sections of the floor will need to be replaced. Also, local repairs to the area will be required if unevenness appears, if there are gaps at the joints, or if the laminate protrudes above the surface.

Video

You will learn tips on caring for laminate flooring by watching the following videos:

Laminate has many advantages, which is why it is quite popular. Laminate flooring is often used in apartments, 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 ones are produced for washing laminate flooring. chemicals. These products are produced on a soap basis from organic substances 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 in a ratio of 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 divided into wear resistance classes. They were created to make it more convenient to select a product in relation to the needs and capabilities of the buyer.

There are two main groups of laminated coatings according to type of use:for home and commercial use. The laminate of the first group is much stronger, and it is used in areas with increased traffic. To easily select the coating you need, markings are also used that indicate the level of durability and strength.
Caring for coatings different types differs slightly. Moisture-resistant laminate is not afraid of liquids, and when caring for it, you can use a washing vacuum cleaner and a wet rag. But such care is not suitable for standard non-waterproof laminate.

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

When caring for household laminated flooring, do not use wet rags, a vacuum cleaner, or remove stains with caustic substances. Dry cleaning is carried out once every 2 days, wet cleaning once a week. It is better to cover class 21 and 22 laminate flooring with a carpet in areas of heavy traffic and reduce the movement of furniture on it. Possible defects that may appear on this coating must be restored immediately, as cracks and scratches quickly get worse.

When it comes to commercial grade laminate flooring, it can be vacuumed much less frequently and washed more often. It perfectly tolerates acids, alkalis and alcohol, which you will need to remove dirty stains. When cleaning, you can safely use a washing vacuum cleaner or a wet rag. Scratches and defects appear much less frequently on this coating.

Wet cleaning of laminate floors is enough once a week; on other days you can use a vacuum cleaner a couple of times. To add shine to laminate, you do not have to use wax or other products, and maintenance is accordingly reduced to a minimum.

We remind you that cleaning must be wet. Therefore, wring out the rag very well before you start washing.

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

Proper care of laminate flooring

Below we present a couple simple tips, which will help you reduce the risk of any defects occurring on the laminate.

During operation, laminate flooring faces enormous loads. And no matter how strong it is, sooner or later you will run into trouble. Below we will describe in detail how to avoid this.

We hope that our useful tips will help you keep your home clean and extend the life of your laminate flooring, maintaining its shine and strength. Apply suitable means depending on the class of coating and remove all stains and dirt in a timely manner. We wish you good luck and comfort in your home!

Laminate appeared in the middle of the last century, but over time it is only gaining popularity among the population. After all, the method of its production is being improved, new types and ornaments are appearing, quality and durability are improving. And despite the fact that, having a wonderful appearance, laminate is completely inexpensive compared to other floor coverings; if desired, it will allow you to save on installation, because it is very easy to install.

Good laminate normal conditions retains its appearance for at least 20 years. In order for it to serve its service life properly, you need not only to purchase quality material and lay it correctly, but you should also know how to care for laminate flooring at home.

Cleaning Laminate Floors

Laminate flooring does not require cleaning special effort. It is recommended to sweep or vacuum the floor followed by a damp wipe. Dealing with stains is just as easy: add a small amount of vinegar or saline solution. But you need to be very careful with water, because laminate cannot tolerate it. As soon as water spills onto the floor and gets into the seams between the laminate panels, there is a risk of the floor swelling. In places where water gets in, the edges of the panels begin to protrude and cling to feet and objects. The result is chipped and scratched edges and corners of the panels. As a result, the floor loses its integrity and appearance. Even dismantling the laminate at the site of swelling with further drying wet places may not return it to its previous appearance.

Moreover, moisture can make the laminate squeak when walking, and the locks become loose and no longer perform their functions properly.

To avoid such catastrophic consequences, it is enough to wash the laminate with a slightly damp sponge and care for the laminate as described in this article.

Today, there are already moisture-resistant laminate models on sale, in which the panels have wax-coated locks that repel moisture. This method has proven so effective against water that it is even used in kitchens and bathrooms. But the cost will immediately differ markedly from conventional laminate.

Removing stains

In any room there are always places with the greatest traffic and load on the floor. There, the coating is always susceptible to dirt, scratches and even stains, so you should always be able to remove a stain soon after it appears. Let's look at how to properly care for laminate flooring if stains appear:

Scratches often appear on laminate flooring after wearing heels or moving furniture. The scratch may not be immediately noticeable, but it will soon appear. Now let’s figure out how to care for laminate flooring using the example of removing scratches from its surface.

A scratch can always be eliminated using a special paste, pencil or grout that matches the color of the laminate.

But you can also use a handy tool such as an eraser, which simply erases the scratched area. Naturally, deep scratch You can’t remove it with an eraser, but it’s quite possible to remove it with baking soda in a paste form. It is enough to apply it to the damaged area and wait a bit for the soda to corrode the material. Afterwards, the treated area should be cleaned with a damp cloth.

Plaque removal

Cleaning laminate flooring also has its consequences in the form of the formation of a waxy coating that makes up the laminated coating. You should know how to care for laminate flooring in an apartment after cleaning it, if only because without proper care the floor will lose its shine and appearance. This problem is solved by wiping the floor with water in a ratio of 4 liters to 1 glass of vinegar.

As you use it upper layer The laminate wears off and the original shine is lost. You can return it by wet cleaning different ways:

Add 1 glass of vinegar to 5 liters of water.
A glass of lemon juice or a tablespoon citric acid diluted in half a bucket of water.
Half a bucket of water is diluted with half a glass lemon juice, half a glass of vinegar and a teaspoon of dishwashing detergent.
Using special means.

Laminate creaks

The creaking of laminate flooring appears due to moisture or unevenness of the base on which the laminate is laid. The reason for this may be an initially uneven surface during installation or the loss of the substrate’s qualities. In any case, to eliminate the squeak, you should disassemble this place and only then will it be possible to determine how to care for the laminate floor to prevent squeaking in the future. You may need to dry the laminate or level the base underneath. Or carefully replace the substrate.

Rules for caring for laminate flooring

Laminate flooring requires careful attitude and follow a few simple rules:

Carrying out dry and wet cleaning once a week will allow you to easily clean the floor from minor dirt without the use of aggressive substances.
You should learn how to correctly select both available cleaning products and special ones. Otherwise, there may be undesirable consequences that will not improve, but will worsen the condition of the damaged areas.
You need to take care of the top protective layer laminate without scratching it with shoes, furniture legs or metal and abrasive devices when cleaning. The laminate owes its shiny appearance and easy cleaning to the top acrylic layer.
Any scratches that appear must be eliminated immediately to prevent further damage to the laminate.
If front door If laminate is laid, this area must be covered with a rug, linoleum or other material that will protect the top covering.

When cleaning or working with laminate flooring, it is important to remember the following:

Do not use a lot of water, as this can cause irreparable damage to the laminate.
The surface of the laminate is susceptible to scratches, so you should never use alkaline, acidic or metallic products.
If there is a need to use aggressive substances, you need to test their effect on an inconspicuous area. Leave aggressive substances on the laminate long time prohibited.
Laminate flooring should only dry naturally.

In conclusion, it should be noted that only a careful attitude towards the floor, timely elimination of all its defects and care for the condition of the laminated coating will help ensure the original appearance of the laminate for many years. This is not difficult to do, since caring for laminate flooring is not difficult.