Wood is a favored material for flooring in homes because it goes with every design scheme and it’s aesthetically pleasing. More people are choosing artificial or laminate wood over traditional hardwoods since these look authentic but are affordable and lower maintenance options.

That doesn’t mean you won’t have to do any work. All floors require care and upkeep to retain their quality and longevity. While a laminate wood floor is protected by multiple layers offering exceptional durability, it’s crucial to learn adequate maintenance to still avoid potential damage.

Part of that will involve reacting to spills straight away and engaging in regular cleaning to ensure the floor material’s integrity. Consider these suggestions on optimum care of your flooring regardless of the amount of traffic and abuse it takes.

How Can You Retain The Quality Of An Artificial Wood Floor

In a lot of homes, the favored flooring material is wood. While the authentic hardwoods are stunningly beautiful, the amount of maintenance and the associated cost makes them undesirable.

Fortunately, artificial wood materials look natural without that degree of care and for merely a fraction of the price.

While laminate flooring is much easier to maintain, it still requires adequate care and upkeep to retain its integrity and ensure longevity. What sort of routine do you need to keep with a laminate floor, and can it withstand the same kind of abuse a natural hardwood can? Let’s learn.

• Avoid moisture

Some laminate flooring materials nowadays are water resistant, but the recommendation is to keep them dry. When the layers are exposed to excessive moisture, the composite wood can warp, buckle, and swell, plus develop mildew and mold, rendering them irreparably damaged.

Go to https://www.familyhandyman.com/list/12-tips-for-installing-laminate-flooring/ for tips on laying a new laminate floor.

While you occasionally use solutions to clean the surfaces, a dry or damp mop is the suggestion in most instances. Some tips for preventing damaging effects from being exposed to water include:

1. Keep small children’s beverages in non-spill cups
2. Avoid using excessive amounts of cleaning solutions and mop these up immediately
3. Avoid soaking the floor when mopping; use only a damp mop
4. The room temperature should remain between “55 and 85 F”
5. Humidity should be avoided in the space by using an air conditioner or a dehumidifier
6. Any spills should be cleaned up immediately to prevent staining

• Prevention is key to quality

Extra precautions can protect the laminate from unnecessary damages, including dents, nicks, dings, scratches, or finish issues. Consider these suggestions to prevent loss of integrity, retain quality, and extend longevity.

1. Direct sunlight can be harsh for laminates. Homeowners are encouraged to keep the floors covered with throw rugs and cover the windows with drapes or blinds to save them from UV exposure.
2. Pay attention to sharp objects that could puncture the finish. Pet nails should be maintained; high heels should be removed before coming in contact with the floor, and avoid letting small kids handle anything pointy. It’s also suggested that felt pad protectors be placed on furnishing legs to cushion the pressure on the floor’s surface.
3. All entryways should have floor mats to prevent inclement weather, dirt, and mud from trailing onto the surface, creating damage.

Photo by Petr Magera on Unsplash

• Establish a cleaning routine

Laminate is among the lowest maintenance flooring, but that doesn’t mean it requires no care. It’s merely a matter of establishing a routine that works with little fuss and is simple to upkeep. Go here for details on cleaning laminates.

1. A solution meant to “revitalize” the surface should only be used occasionally—this helps to renew the shine.
2. The flooring manufacturer will suggest a cleaner with the maintenance paperwork accompanying the material upon purchase. This solution should be applied every week or biweekly, only in a small amount, followed by mopping up quickly. No cleanser should remain on the floor for any length of time.
3. Each week the floor should be vacuumed on the “hard-surface” setting.
4. Twice each week, a dry mop or broom should be used to go over the floor to eliminate debris and dirt from the surface. Debris left on floors can result in finish damage.

Unlike authentic hardwood, laminates can’t be sanded and refinished, but that doesn’t mean the manufacturer won’t have a helpful hint or two when there’s an accident or some damage.

Contact your representative for suggestions and go online for tips and tricks like using a wax pencil to conceal a minor scratch.

Final Thought

Laminate flooring is a budget-friendly and relatively durable product homeowner can enjoy with their kids and pets comfortably. In contrast, authentic hardwoods would bring fear of extensive maintenance expenses with one wrong move.

That doesn’t mean you don’t have to participate in care and upkeep with your laminate material but to a lesser degree and much simpler.