Laminates are not only popular in domestic spaces but also largely utilized in commercial places like malls, schools, and hospitals, where there is a lot of foot traffic and maintenance may be quite difficult. Due to their inherent characteristics, laminates offer greater convenience of cleaning and maintenance compared to other flooring options.
These days, laminated finishes are highly used for wall decoration, flooring, cabinetry, furniture in your kitchen, bathroom, living room, and bedroom due to their durability, affordability and aesthetic versatility. Laminates are less expensive than other materials and come in a wide range of colors and designs. They are also more resistant to heat, stains, and impact. However, due to excess use, laminate surfaces are adaptable to wear and tear, just like any other material. Here are some tips for maintaining durable laminate surfaces and furniture.
Let's learn about cleaning and maintaining laminate flooring.
When cleaning laminate flooring, it's important to avoid oversaturating it with water, as this could harm the finish. Also, make sure you use a microfiber mop rather than a sponge mop.
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Use a soft bristle brush
To eliminate dirt and debris, use a dry brush attached to a microfiber mop or vacuum. To maintain a cleaner, more hygienic, and sanitized place, you can use germ-resistant laminate in heavily used sections of your living or working space. This strategic placement helps to reduce the spread of harmful microbes, ensuring a healthy and safer atmosphere for occupants.
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Do slow movements
Move the microfiber mop from back to front across the floor. Evaluate the space and ensure you take a route leading to an exit.
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Mopping of floor
When cleaning laminate floors in high-traffic zones, use gentle cleaning methods to avoid damage. Start by sweeping, then dampen a microfiber mop with a warm and gentle cleaner mixture. Allow the floor to air dry completely and free of standing water.
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Say no to waxing and polishing
Although waxing and polishing your laminate flooring might seem fantastic to bring out its sheen, they may do more harm than good. Waxing or polishing laminate surfaces can cause residue to accumulate, which can be difficult to get rid of and could ruin the design forever. Since laminates aren't actually constructed of wood, using them can retain grease and leave behind unsightly stains. Use high gloss laminate sheets made especially for this application for a professional look.
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Take scratches out of your laminates
When floor scuffs are still fresh, they are usually easier to remove. Make sure you clean away hair and dust before starting buffing, so you don't ruin the elegance of the lamination. Also performing a thorough cleaning to remove accumulated dust over an extended period necessitates a deep cleaning session.
Furniture of cleaning
Let's understand the cleaning of different types of furniture:
General tips for maintaining laminate furniture
There are some basic tips that you need to repeat to maintain the shine of your furniture and keep it as new as they were. These tips are given as:
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It's better to prevent than cleaning later: Use placemats or trays under laminate surfaces instead of placing hot items directly on them to avoid heat damage.
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Dusting often: To clean the hair and dust from the surface of your laminate furniture, use a soft duster or a microfiber cloth.
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No direct contact with sunlight: Laminate furniture can fade and get discolored after exposure to direct sunlight. Cover it with plastic wrappers to shield it from strong UV light.
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Accidental Spills and Stains: Wipe up spills immediately with a wet cloth and a light soap. Do not use harsh pads that could scratch the surface.
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Using Furniture protection: Place safety pads underneath large, regularly moved furniture to avoid scratches and dents.
How to Clean Furniture and Laminate Cabinets?
Repeat the given steps for cleaning laminate furniture:
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Gather the required cleaning supplies: A microfiber cloth, vinegar, warm water, baking soda, mild dish soap, and a spray bottle are necessary.
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Advice for specific laminated furniture: Follow normal cleaning procedures, but give edges special care. Do not wet the cabinets again and again.
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Laminate Closets in white color: White laminate materials may be more exposed to yellowing and stains. Use a gentle soap solution for tough stains, but test it first on a small area.
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Laminate desks and tables: Follow the normal cleaning instructions, paying special attention to scratch and spill-prone areas. For writing surfaces, use safety pads or desk mats.
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Laminate Shelving Units: Take everything off the shelves and follow the normal cleaning process for cleaning. Deeply wipe shelves to get rid of any residue that could scratch sensitive laminates.
Maintaining Laminate Furniture Over Time
If you do proper maintenance, you will get durable laminate surfaces.
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Avoid cleaning with harsh chemicals: As they can destroy the laminate surface, as well as deep cleaning of solvent-based solutions, bleach, ammonia, and harsh cleansers.
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Using Furniture Polish: To regain glow and give further protection, dab the surface with a cloth dampened with a small amount of laminate-specific furniture polish.
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Preventing Heat Damage: To protect the laminate surface from heat damage, place heat-resistant mats underneath warm items like pans and curling irons.
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Sustaining exact humidity: Extreme humidity can damage laminate furniture. To avoid expansion or deformation, maintain a consistent humidity range of 35% to 45%.
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Fixing Scratches: Begin by cleaning the scratched area with a mild cleanser and a soft cloth to eliminate dirt and debris. Alternatively, consider selecting scratch- resistance laminate for increased durability and longevity. To fix minor damage such as shallow scratches, use a matching color marker or laminate repair solution. For regular results, stick to the manufacturer's recommendations.
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Fixing Chipped Edges: To repair cracked sections, use a color-matched wax solution or laminate repair paste. Fill the surface using a plastic scraper, then wait for it to dry before buffing.
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Handling Water Damage: For small water damage, wipe the scratched area immediately and give it enough time to dry completely. For more severe damage, a specialist should be consulted for repair alternatives.
Maintaining kitchen laminates
Kitchen shelves, especially those in Indian kitchens, gather a lot of dirt. Normal cleaning, however, will keep them scratch-free and hygienic in your kitchen.
For rough, greasy areas, use a soft sponge and a solution of warm water and dish soap. A soft plastic brush should make it easy to clean nooks and crannies.
Since laminate is not porous, bacteria and fungus cannot grow directly on its surface; however, they can gather in the seams and corners when combined with the greasy cooking smells. It's important to clean these parts, and warm, soapy solutions work well for that. The process is further to rinse properly and dry. Similar to carpeting, steer scratch of harsh scrubbers, dyes, and potent chemical cleaners as they can cause surface scratches and increase the existence of stains.
Conclusion
Laminates are an important component of your room, and maintaining their durability and beauty demands careful maintenance. Follow all the points given for basic laminate maintenance, including routine cleaning, protecting against spills and stains, avoiding harsh cleaners and scrubbing pads, avoiding polishing or waxing, using insulating pads, and handling spills that occur by mistake. Focus on high-traffic areas and stains, using gentle scrubbing if needed. By diligently following all the tips provided, it is entirely possible to achieve a durable laminate surface. Additionally, selecting high-quality laminate materials and ensuring correct installation also plays a vital role in enhancing durability.