Is it possible and how to properly wash laminate steam mop
Laminate is a bit capricious in operation and requires special handling. Many housewives do not know what cleaning devices to use for it. And so the question is often asked: is it possible to wash the laminate with a steam mop?
If you handle the coating incorrectly, the result will not take long. You will see how the laminate will fade, covered with stains or scratches, which will make its appearance completely unattractive.
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Features care coating
Caring for laminate is necessary constantly and correctly. The least you have to do is walk around the apartment every day with a damp rag. As for the other rules, you need to know:
- Do not use those cleaners that contain abrasives. It will make holes in the surface of the material.
- It is not recommended to clean the laminate with hard devices with a metal or plastic coating, they leave scratches.
- To remove stains, you can use acetone or ethyl alcohol. Fresh stains simply wipe with a non-coarse cloth soaked in this solution.
- On the shelves you can find a lot of tools that are suitable for laminate and do not harm him.
- Large dust particles should be swept away with a broom. For fine dirt, use a vacuum cleaner.
- In order not to spoil the floor in the corridor and not to drag dirt into the apartment, lay a carpet or a large floor cloth in the hallway, on which it is recommended to leave shoes.
- If you are using a steam cleaner, then create an additional distance between the nozzle and the floor by placing it under the first napkin.
The coating at the door is more sensitive, so cleaning in these areas must be done with extreme caution. A floor is recommended several times a week.
How to choose a mop
It is a mistake to believe that any washing tool will suit the laminate.Some devices not only can not properly clean the surface, but may damage it. Best fit rectangular a mop to which you can stick several tips:
- The first option is suitable for dry cleaning.
- The second option is used when it is necessary to wipe the dust.
- The third nozzle washes the surface, leaving no damage to them.
If you do not know which model of this mop to choose, then pay attention to such manufacturers as Promo, Velida and Universal. To make your life easier and shorten the cleaning time, choose models with a spin function.
There are more advanced options, such as a steam mop or a washing vacuum cleaner. With regards to the latter, it is quite an effective, but cumbersome tool. But the mop effectively copes with its tasks, is compact and costs much less. But the logical question arises, is it possible to use a steam mop for laminate?
Everyone knows that a large amount of moisture badly affects the coating, especially if it is made from strips. Water enters the joints, and bloating may occur. Whether it concerns laminate, the question is ambiguous. Manufacturers of this coating claim that it is possible to wash laminate with a steam mop only when the flooring was on an adhesive basis. If you just assembled the boards, then the use of this device is not recommended.
How a steam mop works
In fact, it is an extremely effective tool that is suitable for cleaning various coatings. But how to use a steam mop correctly?
- The device is equipped with a small reservoir, into which ordinary water is poured before washing.
- Under the influence of the mechanism, it is heated to a temperature of 100 degrees.
- Steam escapes from the holes under slight pressure, which is what cleans the surface.
A feature of this device is that it not only washes the floor, but also produces disinfection. This is especially true if you have small children in your apartment.
Instructions for mopping
The question of how to use a mop does not just arise. Many, having flattered the beauty of laminate flooring, laid the floor in their apartment for them, and then took hold of their heads. On it began to form stains, and there were scratches. So how do you clean up and not harm your floor?
- Before starting wet cleaning, collect all large debris with a broom or a special brush.
- Vacuum the remaining dust. The main thing is to use a nozzle with a retractable brush so that the plastic edges do not scratch the floor.
- Take a specialized tool for washing and dilute it with warm water.
- When wetting the nozzle, wipe the coating in small fragments. After each wetting, the nozzle or sponge must be carefully squeezed to prevent excessive floor moisture.
Before cleaning the floor, carefully read the instructions on the detergent box.
What you need to know when choosing cleaning products
Many, coming to the store for cleaning products, fall into a stupor. The choice is so great that it is not so easy to understand what exactly you need. When choosing products for washing laminate, consider the following:
- If the product contains sodium carbonate, then it does not suit you.
- Compare the composition of the universal liquid with the composition of the specialized, most likely you will not find differences, so overpaying does not make sense.
- You can completely abandon washing with cleaning agents, and add a little table vinegar to the water.
When using detergent, do not allow it to come into contact with the skin of your hands - there may be minor injuries. Rubber gloves are recommended for cleaning.
Tips for removing various dirt from laminate
It happens that you did not immediately notice any damage or stain, and wipe it off with acetone is no longer possible. What to do in such cases and how to clean the surface?
- If wax comes into contact with the laminate, wait for it to dry and carefully pick up the blot with a knife. The remaining traces can be wiped with a mild solution of soap.
- To remove various stains, you can use both specialized sponges and linen cloth.
- Many spots are perfectly rubbed with window spray, in which alcohol is present.
- To get rid of scratches on the surface, you can with the help of special putty or colored sealant.
- If your shoes left strips on the floor, then they can be removed with the help of a usual clerical gum.
Do not be afraid to wash or clean the coating, because from a lack of cleaning it can also be damaged, as well as from close care.
If when laying laminate was chosen adhesive method, then you did very wisely.In this case, you can use steam mops, washing vacuum cleaners, and other technological advances. If this is not the case, then you will have to make some effort to maintain the floor in its original form.