Home Bunch - Interior Design Ideas

Laminate flooring is one of the most popular choices for homeowners. It comes in a wide assortment of designs and colors perfect for any room in the home. They are an affordable option to wood, stone and other kinds of natural flooring. Laminate tiles are easy to install. It’s a do-it-yourself job that you can tackle in the better part of a day.

Like most other kinds of flooring, laminate can show wear over time. It can get scratched, scuffed and take in water damage. Laminate tiles are easy to clean, but must be maintained regularly to extend their useful life. Regular cleaning can save you time in money in terms of replacement costs and repair.

You can find out more about laminate flooring online. You can visit websites, including Laminate Wood Flooring and other sites to learn about the different products that are available. You can compare prices and read product reviews. You can also review the selections that are available at your local home improvement or specialty retail stores near you.

Here are a few cleaning and maintenance tips for laminate flooring:

1. Wipe up any spills as soon as possible

Make sure that any water or other liquid spills are cleaned up immediately. Standing water can be very harmful to laminate tiles. It can stain or damage the tile’s protective coating quickly. Wipe up any spills with a soft cloth or sponge. You can dampen the sponge or cloth you are using to help remove any excess moisture. Dry the area thoroughly with a clean cloth.

2. Sweep your laminate floors regularly

Sweeping your laminate floors at least once a week can help remove dust and dirt and prevent scratches from forming. Scratches in the tile’s protective layer can occur after excess dirt and debris are left to accumulate over a significant period of time. You can also use a vacuum with a soft brush attachment to clean your floors. Just make sure to not use a standard floor brush, as their straw-like bristles can be very coarse and could damage the tile. Sweep the floor in the same direction in which the laminate tiles were laid down. This helps avoid damage to the floor and lets you pick up any rocks, dirt or pet hair that can accumulate in the grooves between tile sections.

3. Use a solution of water and vinegar to clean your floor

This is another effective method of keeping your tile floors clean. First, you’ll need to pour about 1/4 cup of water in a spray bottle that holds 30 ounces of liquid or more. Fill the bottle with water, and shake the mixture thoroughly to dilute the vinegar. This solution is handy for caked-on mud or other stains that have discolored the tile. Next, spray the solution on a small area of the tile at a time. You’ll need to wipe off each area almost immediately with a damp rag or cloth, to prevent the vinegar’s natural abrasiveness from eating away at the tile’s protective coating. Finally, dry the area completely with a dry cloth. This method is a bit more time-consuming than the previous two but is effective for a good overall cleaning of your laminate floors.

4. Use warm water to remove dirt

Cleaning your laminate floors every few months or so with warm water is a good way to get rid of dirt and mud. It won’t leave streaks on your floor and is a lot less likely to cause damage to the tiles. Just fill a bucket of hot water to get started. The water doesn’t have to be very hot, just slightly more than lukewarm will do just fine. Soak a sponge mop in the bucket of hot water and wring it out thoroughly afterwards. This is done to prevent any spills or standing water from forming while you’re cleaning. Use the mop to clean your floor from one end to the other. The mop should be just damp enough to use, but you may need to soak and wring it out again periodically during the process. If the floor is just barely damp afterwards, you can let it air dry. You can also dry the floor yourself using a soft, clean cloth. Don’t use a cloth that is abrasive, as it can scratch the tile’s protective outer coating. Also, make sure that any standing water is cleared off as soon as possible.

5. Add a gentle soap or detergent to water

This is another good way to clean your tile floors. Start again with a bucket of water, and add a couple tablespoons of mild dish wash detergent or baby shampoo to the water. Just make sure not to use any detergents that have dyes or scents, as they can be abrasive to the tiles’ outer coating. Mix the soap into the water until bubbles start to form. From there, you can once again soak a sponge mop into the bucket and wring it out thoroughly. You can also use a good microfiber cloth as a substitute. Use the mop or cloth to carefully clean the floor all the way through. Feel free to re-wet and re-wiring the mop or cloth when necessary to get a good thorough cleaning of the entire floor. Once you’re done, you can either let the surface air dry if it’s just damp or dry it off with a soft rag or cloth. This helps remove excess water and soap streaks that you may find.

6. Use a plastic knife to remove stuck-on gum

For best results, gently scrape off gum from your tile floor using a plastic knife. You shouldn’t need to apply a lot of pressure. A few simple swipes should do the job. Do not use a metal knife, as this can scratch your floor. Gently clean off the affected area with a soft, damp cloth or rag. You can rinse the rag or cloth that you are using with mineral spirits to better extract any gum residue that may have been left behind. Follow up by gently drying that area of the floor so as to eliminate any leftover water.

7. Remove blood stains with window cleaner

The sooner you attend to these kinds of stains, the easier they will be to remove. Just spray a small amount of window cleaner to the stain, and wipe it off with a warm, damp cloth or rag. Use a non-abrasive cloth or rag, so as not to risk scratching or marring the tile’s surface. You can also spray the cloth or rag with mineral spirits for a more effective clean. Wipe the affected area with a soft, damp cloth and dry it with a microfiber cloth when finished.

8. Use an eraser to remove shoe marks and scuffs

For heel marks and scuffs, you can use an ordinary eraser to remove them. Just make sure not to rub the area too vigorously, as that can damage the protective outer layer of the tile. A little gentle effort should get the job done. You may want to rinse the area with a damp, clean soft cloth and rinse it off immediately afterwards.

9. Remove stubborn nail polish, shoe polish or tar with nail polish remover

A good acetone nail polish remover should eliminate those and similar problem stains almost immediately. Just spray a little bit of nail polish remover to a clean microfiber cloth and gently scrub the affected area of your floor until the stain lifts up. Soak a soft cloth or rag in warm water, and gently wipe that area. You can let the floor air dry if it’s just barely damp or clean it off with a dry rag or cloth afterwards. Make sure that no standing water is left on the tile surface.

10. Use cold to remove grease

Use a nice cold ice pack or package of frozen vegetables to remove grease stains from your laminate flooring. Simply apply the ice pack or vegetable package to the affected area until the grease hardens. You can then carefully scrape the grease away with a plastic knife. Never use a metal knife, as that can damage the tile’s outer coating. If there’s any grease residue left over, you can spray what’s left with a small bit of window cleaner. Wipe off the remaining grease residue with a soft, damp cloth and dry the area immediately afterwards.

11. Eliminate stains caused by beverages, crayons or ink with a damp cloth

A damp microfiber cloth is an easy solution for removing soda, wine, crayon and ink stains on your tile floor. For stubborn, waxy crayon marks, you may need to add a little bit of mineral spirits. For ink stains that are a little more resistant, you can add a bit of ink remover or soft detergent to the cloth to remove the stain completely. Just make sure to rinse the area with a soft cloth that has been soaked in clean warm water and dry the area off afterwards.

12. Vacuum regularly

Vacuuming is a key method for removing for most of the dirt, pet dander and grime that can appear on your tile floor. You should vacuum your tile floors at least once or twice a week. Vacuum in the same direction that the tiles are laid in. This will help you get rid of anything that can accumulate in the spaces between interlocking tiles. Follow up by cleaning with a soft-bristled broom or gentle hand broom to remove any dirt or particles that your vacuum doesn’t catch, especially in the corners or tight areas of the room.

13. Mopping

Damp mopping is just fine for cleaning your laminate floors. Just make sure to remove any excess water. Too much water can damage your floors if left to accumulate, and excess water can seep into cabinets, vents, and baseboards. When mopping, it’s recommended to use two buckets of water while cleaning: one bucket for clean water, and one bucket for dirty water. Do not use a dirty mop head to clean your floors, as this can cause streaking on your laminate tile. You should also take the time to properly dry your floors if they are more than just damp.

14. There are natural cleaning products you can buy

There are several different kinds of natural cleaning products that you can use to clean laminate floors. Before you buy, take a minute or two to examine the contents of each product that you are considering. Stay away from cleaning solutions that contain bleach, wax or acrylics, because they can damage the floor’s finish and weaken the tile’s protective layer. Other products to avoid include steel wool, scouring powder or any kind of soap. Soaps can leave laminate floors slippery.

15. Stay away from steam cleaners

Steam cleaners are wonderful for carpets and upholstery. However, they are not recommended for use on laminate floors. Laminate tiles are made with wood, so avoiding exposure to moisture as much as possible is a necessity. Steam cleaners rely on water as the basis for their cleaning technique, so as far as laminate tile is concerned, they can do far more harm than good. They put out too much water to be effective, and they’re not as easy to clean up afterwards in a timely manner.

These are just some helpful hints for cleaning and preserving your laminate floors. You may want to consult your manufacturer for additional advice or product recommendations to help maintain their luster. Cleaning is never easy, but the end result is always worth it. Laminate floors are very low-maintenance and don’t require daily cleaning. They are also very easy to replace when tiles are damaged or if you’ve simply decided that you want a different look or feel in a particular room. Taking care of your laminate floor can help make it last years longer than you ever expected. They can continue to be just as durable and colorful as they were when you first installed them for many years to come.

House Tour: Charleston-Style Custom Home.

Many thanks to the architect & builder for sharing the details above!

Architectural design & builder: REED BROTHERS design & build Todd W. Reed (Instagram)

Cabinetmaker: Covenant Woodworks.

Photographers: Atlanta Kitchens, Joe Garcia & Todd W. R

Best Sales of the Month:

Pillows Affordable Pillows Pillows under twenty dollars

Thank you for shopping through Home Bunch. I would be happy to assist you if you have any questions or are looking for something in particular. Feel free to contact me and always make sure to check dimensions before ordering. Happy shopping!

Serena & Lily: 20% off Dining Event. Use code: ENTERTAINING

Wayfair: Up to 75% OFF – President’s Day Huge Sales on Decor, Furniture & Rugs!!!

Joss & Main: End of Season Sale: Up to 85% Off!!! Free shipping with code: STARS

Pottery Barn: 20% off + Free Shipping. Use Code: WEEKEND

One Kings Lane: High Quality Design Decor for Less Save 20% Sitewide Puls and Extra 10% with code: OKLPRES19

West Elm: 20% Off your entire Purchase + Free Shipping: Use Code: WINTER

Anthropologie: Take an extra 40% off all sale items!

Urban Outfitters: Hip & Affordable Home Decor.

Horchow: High Quality Furniture and Decor. Up to 30% off the entire site!

Nordstrom: Up to 40% OFF!

Arhaus: Up to 60% OFF!

Posts of the Week:

Modern Farmhouse Renovation

California Modern Farmhouse Renovation.

Atlanta Home DesignAtlanta Home Design.

New Home Tour New Home Tours #NewHomeTour #HomeTour

2019 New Year Home Tour.

Classic Colonial Home Design Classic Colonial Home Design #ClassicHome #ColonialHome #ColonialHomeDesignClassic Colonial Home Design.

Empty-Nester Modern Farmhouse Empty-Nester Modern Farmhouse house tour on Home BunchEmpty-Nester Modern Farmhouse.

Beautiful Homes of Instagram How to Build your own Home

Beautiful Homes of Instagram: How to Build your own Home.

Home Renovation Interior Design Ideas Home Renovation Interior Design Home Renovation Interior Design with paint colors and decor sources Home Renovation Interior Design Ideas #HomeRenovation #InteriorDesign #InteriorDesignIdeas

Interior Design Ideas: Home Renovation.

Bathroom Renovation tour

Keeping Room & Master Bathroom Renovation.

Stone Lake House Stone Lake House Interiors #StoneLakeHouse #LakeHouse #LakeHouseInteriorsStone Lake House.

Building a Forever Home Steps on building a new home Building a Forever Home Building a Forever Home Tips #BuildingaForeverHome #BuildingaHome #ForeverHome

Beautiful Homes of Instagram: Building a Forever Home.

Newport Island Beach HouseNewport Island Beach House.

Stone Cottage-style Home Design Stone Cottage-style Home Design Ideas #StoneCottage #HomeDesign #CottageDesignStone Cottage-style Home Design.

New Year, New Beautiful Homes of Instagram

New Year, New Beautiful Homes of Instagram.

Family-friendly Home Design Family-friendly Home Design Ideas #FamilyfriendlyHome #FamilyfriendlyHomeDesignFamily-friendly Home Design.

Home Bunch's Beautiful Homes of Instagram Canada Home Bunch's Beautiful Homes of Instagram Canada Home Bunch's Beautiful Homes of Instagram Canada #HomeBunch #BeautifulHomesofInstagram #CanadaBeautiful Homes of Instagram: Canada.

Beautiful Homes of Instagram Beautiful Homes of Instagram Beautiful Homes of Instagram #BeautifulHomesofInstagramBeautiful Homes of Instagram.

Georgian-Style Manor with Traditional Interiors Paint Colors on Home BunchGeorgian-Style Manor with Traditional Interiors.

Transitional home with White Oak Cabinetry throughoutTransitional Home Design.

Modern Farmhouse House tour

Interior Design Ideas.

Grey Kitchen Paint Colors on Home BunchGrey Kitchen Paint Colors.

Beautiful Homes of Instagram California Beach House Beautiful Homes of Instagram California Beach HousesBeautiful Homes of Instagram: California Beach House.

Follow me on Instagram: @HomeBunch

You can follow my pins here: Pinterest/HomeBunch

See more Inspiring Interior Design Ideas in my Archives.

“Dear God,

If I am wrong, right me. If I am lost, guide me. If I start to give-up, keep me going.

Lead me in Light and Love”.

Have a wonderful day, my friends and we’ll talk again tomorrow.”

with Love,

Luciane from HomeBunch.com

Come Follow me on

Come Follow me on

Get Home Bunch Posts Via Email

Contact Luciane

“For your shopping convenience, this post might contain links to retailers where you can purchase the products (or similar) featured. I make a small commission if you use these links to make your purchase so thank you for your support!”


See More Home Bunch House Tours




No Comments! Be The First!


Leave a Reply

Comment:

Please note: your email and ip address is saved when you submit a comment but never shared publicly. Please make sure you're okay with this before submitting your comment. If you left a previous comment and would like to have it deleted, please contact me with relevant info.



Follow Home Bunch












See More Home Bunch House Tours - Click Here!
See More Home Bunch House Tours

Photos are submitted by either homeowners, builders, designers or photographers showcasing their work.
Site Design & Writing © HomeBunch.com. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy


Photos are submitted by either homeowners, builders,
designers, and photographers showcasing their work.
Site Design & Writing © HomeBunch.com. All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy - Contact Us