How to remove buildup on laminate floors. Laminate flooring offers a durable, beautiful aesthetic that can be used to achieve a variety of designs. While this type of flooring doesn’t need to be waxed, you still have to take care when cleaning it.
Although lamination offers some degree of protection against food and beverage stains, it’s not impervious.
So if you spill something very sticky or something that contains alcohol, your best bet is to use warm water with no soap since most cleaning products will actually strip away the top layers.
In addition, using too much force or using an improper cleaning product could damage your laminate floors and void any warranty coverage.
How to remove buildup on laminate floors
When it comes to cleaning laminate floors you need to make sure that you’re aware of what kind of finish your flooring has, as well as whether or not you have a wax coating.
Most floors are finished with a polyurethane resin and buffed with an abrasive pad like sandpaper after which they get coated in a very thin layer of polyurethane, but if yours is the latter then try using one part vinegar and 3 parts water.
Mix them together by pouring them into a spray bottle then go over the floors just as if you were mowing the lawn in straight lines.
How to get rid of buildup on laminate flooring is mentioned below:
Remove any loose debris
Remove dust and loose debris from the floor with a soft-bristle broom. When choosing a floor, make sure it is robust enough to prevent scratches.
You may want to check out the BISSELL Smart Details Hardwood Floor push broom as it will give you a thorough clean without creating scratches while being easy to maneuver.
Vacuum floors thoroughly before sweeping each room so that you are not pushing dirt into places where it could scratch wood laminate over time.
Avoid using carpets or non-sticky mats that don’t provide traction when pulling furniture instead of sliding it across the floor.
Clean up the residue on the floor
If you use a plastic goo scraper, make sure you scrape slowly and gently along with the laminate, not across it. A plastic scraper will not scratch or leave scuff marks, but a steel scraper may easily damage the laminate’s top layer.
To make the process easier, you can use a hairdryer to heat and melt the wax, but don’t set it too hot as it may damage the flooring.
If you are going to steam the laminate afterward, either do not use hot water on them or test how hot you should hold the nozzle onto an inconspicuous area first to see how long to let it flow before turning it off.
Don’t forget that when scraping laminate floors always scrape lengthwise, never across. You’ll avoid making streaks on your floor this way too by following that basic rule of thumb.
Use homemade cleaner
After scraping, it’s time to think of a solution. Take ½ cup of rubbing alcohol, ½ cup of white vinegar, and ½ cup of water and thoroughly mix this in a container.
This combination is particularly effective at removing stains from laminate flooring. Gently apply the cloth with this solution in one direction only toward the stain.
Do not clean back and forth as this can make matters worse. Wring out excess liquid from the cloth repeatedly until you are certain you’re satisfied with how your floor looks.
Some stubborn stains may require either mineral spirits or paint thinner both do a good job but won’t leave any residue behind for all those people who like their floors to look quite perfect too.
Allow the floor to dry
Leave the area to dry for at least thirty minutes after you’re sure you’ve done a good job wiping. Then, go over the area again to finish.
Using a clean cloth, remove any leftover stains. Upon completion of your work, you should be proud of everything you have done.
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