Laminate floors are the choice of many homeowners because they desire their shiny
appearance. The question is how to keep them that way. The answer is fairly simple: with proper care and maintenance.
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As with any type of floor, proper care and maintenance will keep your laminate flooring looking bright and shiny. Many people specifically choose this type of flooring over traditional hardwood flooring because of its durability and ability, not to mention the wide variety of styles that are available, even from a single manufacturer such as Balterio. It can stand up better to constant foot traffic and the abuse that can be dished out from children and pets in the home.
Durability of Laminate Flooring
To understand the durability of laminate flooring, let’s examine how it is made. Each piece of laminate flooring is made of four different layers that are individually produced. These four layers are put through a heat-and-press process that produces what we know as laminate flooring:
- The bottom layer is moisture resistant and makes the floorboard stable.
- The core layer is made from fiberboard that has been fortified with resin, which hardens this layer and increases its resistance to water.
- The pattern layer is a photograph of a finish, such as stone or wood that is printed on a thin sheet of paper.
- The protective coating layer consists of clear melamine resin. This layer provides protection from moisture and damage such as scratches and stains.
The top layer of the laminate flooring is the layer that you need to be concerned with in order to keep your floor shiny and looking as good as new.
It is harder to scratch or damage the surface of laminate flooring than wood flooring, due to the laminate’s protective top layer, but it is not impossible.
You need to care for this protective layer because, once it is gone, you will need to replace your floor. This means you need be aware of how your laminate flooring is treated. If a heavy object is dropped on it, you can expect it to dent, just like any other flooring. If your child is playing with a screwdriver and digs into your flooring, it is going to be damaged.
If you have dogs or cats running around and do not maintain their nails, your floor will get scratched up. Many people choose laminate over hardwood when they have pets because it does hold up better to their nails, but it does not mean you can slack off on keeping them trimmed.
Keeping Your Floors Shiny and Clean
It’s easy to keep your floor shiny and clean if you take a little time each day to sweep up any dust, sand, pet hair, or debris that may be lying about. When you really think about it, how much time does it really take to do a quick sweep? You could do it while you are waiting for your coffee to brew in the morning. You could do it while your dinner is cooking at the end of the day. You could even do it while talking on the telephone.
Sand and dirt act in the same manner as sandpaper on your floor.
If not swept up regularly, it will continue to be tracked around and will dull your laminate floor’s finish. Remember, once that surface is damaged, you cannot get it back, similar to what your dentist tells you about the enamel on your teeth. 
You should put down mats or throw rugs in high-traffic areas or entrance ways to collect any dirt or sand that is tracked in along with any moisture. If you know you are in for a rainy period of weather, be sure to lay down some old towels around your entrances as an extra step to protect your laminate flooring from the extra moisture being tracked in on wet feet.
One thing you will notice once you make the switch to laminate flooring from carpeting is that all of the sudden it seems like none of your kids wipe their feet. This is because you will see the footprints and dirt that the carpet would just hide. Therefore, your best defense is to be proactive.
What to Do Weekly
At least once a week, vacuum your flooring. This will pick up anything that has worked its way between your floorboards and is missed by your regular sweeping. Avoid using a vacuum that has a beater bar because it could damage your flooring with heat or pressure marks.
Every week, or as needed, damp mop your laminate flooring. Be careful not to get the floor too wet because, as the underlying layers are made of wood products, it can still expand in response to moisture. After mopping, be sure to wipe the floor dry with an old towel.
When you need a deeper cleaning, only use products that are recommended by your flooring’s manufacturer. Stay away from products that advertise that they mop and shine because they will just leave a buildup on your floor’s surface that eventually will be difficult to remove and will cause your floor to appear dull. Never use any abrasive cleaners or steel wool on your flooring either.
Cleaning Shortcuts Not Always the Best Way to Go
For a quick clean, some people try using a little furniture polish. While the directions may say this okay to do, this is something you really want to avoid because it can make your floor dangerously slippery. Think about it; you usually want to do a quick clean when company is coming over. So skip the furniture polish and plan accordingly to avoid injuring your guests!
The jury is out over steam cleaning for laminate flooring.
Most manufacturers of laminate flooring do not specifically recommend using steam on their flooring. This is probably because of the danger of over-flooding the flooring or, with some steamers, if you set them too high they could start to wear down the finish with the scrubbing setting that is meant for tile floors.
Therefore, it is best to use your common sense regarding steamers. If you are going to use one, just make sure you are using it at the lowest setting and not soak your floor. If you see wet spots, dry them immediately.
Being Proactive about Protecting Your Laminate Floors
We mentioned about having mats and throw rugs for high-traffic areas. Make sure they are 
the type that is recommended for use with laminate flooring. You want to make sure they are not going to be slipping around when people walk on them.
A good idea is to purchase backing that is made specifically for laminate flooring to lie underneath these rugs to minimize slippage. You will want to put furniture pads under the legs of your furniture. This will help to minimize the damage from pressure and scratches to the flooring if furniture is prone to moving around a bit.
Keep your pets’ nails trimmed. Make it a regular routine and they will soon get used to you doing it. With the various types of clippers available, it is not as big a chore as it was years ago. You can even file their nails down with a tool that is similar to a dremel tool. In the end, you are protecting your floors and also protecting your pets from accidentally breaking or snagging their nails.
Benefits of Laminate Flooring
One of the biggest benefits of laminate flooring is its cost. It can be an affordable alternative when your budget just does not have enough wiggle room to include hardwood flooring.
Most people have a hard time telling the difference between laminate and actual hardwood when they enter a room.
No one has to know but you if you have installed laminate flooring. Once you have it installed, it has a lifespan of approximately 15 years depending on how well you maintain it. That gives you plenty of time to save and plan for hardwood floors for the future.
Laminate flooring is also very handy for installation in areas where you should not install 
hardwood flooring. While moisture is not a friend to any type of flooring, laminate will hold up better to it than hardwood flooring. You cannot install hardwood flooring in below-grade areas such as basements but, providing you do not have a water leak or moisture issue, you can install laminate flooring.
There is an added health benefit to having laminate flooring in your home instead of wall-to-wall carpeting. The American Lung Association recommends avoiding wall-to-wall carpeting in your home because carpets hide dust, dust mites, dirt, and pollen, among other things. If you or anyone in your family is an asthma or allergy sufferer, laminate flooring is a great way to keep offending allergens from accumulating in your home.
Most people are surprised with the amount of dirt and dust that stays in your carpet after vacuuming, not to mention the amount that you kick up when vacuuming. After years of having carpeting on your floors, once you pull it up you will be amazed how much dirt and dust has worked its way underneath the carpet. You do not have this problem with laminate floors because you can easily see the dirt and dust to sweep it up.
As long as you continue with regular cleaning and are proactive with your care of your laminate flooring, it will maintain its shine for years to come. It requires less care than carpeting and hardwood flooring, so even if you are pressed for time with your daily or weekly cleaning chores, it could be the right choice for you.
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