Laminate appeared in the middle of the last century, but over time it is only gaining popularity among the population. After all, the method of its production is being improved, new types and ornaments appear, quality and durability are improving. And this despite the fact that, having an excellent appearance, the laminate is absolutely inexpensive relative to other floor coverings, if desired, will save on installation, because it is very easy to install.
A good laminate under normal conditions retains its appearance for at least 20 years. In order for him to properly serve his term, you need not only to purchase high-quality material and lay it correctly, but you should also know how to care for the laminate at home.
Laminate floor cleaning
Cleaning the laminate does not require much effort. It is recommended to sweep or vacuum the floor with further wet wiping. Dealing with divorces is just as simple: a small amount of vinegar or saline is added to the water. But with water you need to behave very carefully, because the laminate can not stand it. Just pour water on the floor and fall into the seams between the laminate panels, as there is a risk of bloating. In places where water gets in, the edges of the panels begin to protrude and cling to legs and objects. The result is broken and combed edges and corners of the panels. As a result, the floor loses its integrity and appearance. Even the dismantling of the laminate at the site of swelling with the further drying of moist places may not return it to its previous form.
Moreover, from moisture, the laminate can creak when walking, and the locks are loosened and no longer perform their functions properly.
To avoid such catastrophic consequences, it is enough to wash the laminate with a slightly damp sponge and take care of the laminate, as described in this article.
Moisture-resistant laminate models are already on sale today, in which panels have wax-coated locks that repel moisture. This method has proven to be so effective against water that it is even used in kitchens and bathrooms. But the cost will immediately differ markedly from a conventional laminate.
Stain removal
In any room there is always a place with the greatest cross and load on the floor. There, the coating is always susceptible to dirt, scratches and even stains, so you should always be able to remove the stain shortly after it appears. Consider how to properly care for the laminate in case of stains:
- To remove simple pollution, you can dilute two tablespoons of shampoo for children in four liters of water. The dirt will be easier to soften, and the abrasive effect of wiping will be mitigated.
- Stains of blood, berries and beer, as well as stains on an oily basis, are removed with nylon fabric.
- Baking soda or an eraser for erasing pencils will help to remove well-known marks from the sole.
- If the stain has a tarry or oily structure, then it is frozen by applying ice or products from the freezer. After that, the stain is carefully removed with a plastic knife. In case there is a trace of a stain, you can use a window cleaner.
- Laundry soap diluted in warm water effectively launders ink and paste. But if the stain is well-established, then you can not do without a special means for removing ink. This method is also used to combat stains from alcohol. If soapy water did not help here, then the stain should be wiped with denatured alcohol.
- To get rid of a marker or chewing gum, wipe the damaged surface with a solvent designed to wash old paint. You can also use toothpaste, but after that you must wipe dry with a napkin.
- White spirit or automotive chemicals are the most aggressive to laminate. But otherwise, the paint cannot be removed from the laminate. Therefore, to remove such complex stains can only be with an understanding of how to care for the laminate at home. It is important not to hold such products on the surface for a long time.
- Using the Dimexidum preparation, you can erase the mounting foam within 5 minutes, and then do not forget to wipe the treated area with a damp cloth.
- Washing powder is useful for wiping nail polish from the surface of the laminate. It is enough to dilute the powder in water and apply to the contaminated area.
Scratch Removal
Scratches often appear on the laminate after heels or furniture movement. Perhaps the scratch will not be immediately noticeable, but will soon appear. Now we will figure out how to care for a laminate using the example of removing scratches from its surface.
A scratch can always be fixed using a special paste, pencil or grout to match the color of the laminate.
But you can use such an improvised tool as an eraser, which simply erases the scratched place. Naturally, you cannot remove a deep scratch with an eraser, but soda in a pasty state is quite possible. It is enough to put it on the damaged place and wait a bit until the soda corrodes the material. After the treated area should be cleaned with a damp cloth.
Plaque removal
Cleaning the laminate also has its consequences in the form of a wax coating, of which the laminated coating consists. How to care for a laminate in an apartment after it has been cleaned should be known if only because without proper care the floor will lose its luster and appearance. This problem is solved by wiping the floor with water in a proportion of 4 liters per 1 cup of vinegar.
Laminate sheen
During operation, the top layer of the laminate is erased and the original shine is lost. You can return it by wet cleaning in various ways:
- In 5 liters of water, 1 cup of vinegar is added.
- A glass of lemon juice or a tablespoon of citric acid is diluted in half a bucket of water.
- Half a bucket of water is diluted with half a glass of lemon juice, half a glass of vinegar and a teaspoon of dishwashing liquid.
- With the help of special tools.
Laminate creak
The creaking of the coating from the laminate appears due to moisture or unevenness of the base on which the laminate is laid. The reason for this may be an initially uneven surface during installation or the loss of its qualities by the substrate. In any case, to eliminate the squeak, you should disassemble this place and only then it will be possible to determine how to care for the floor from the laminate to prevent squeaking in the future. You may need to dry the laminate or level the base underneath. Or, carefully replace the backing.
Laminate Care Rules
Laminate flooring requires careful handling and the implementation of several simple rules:
- Dry and wet cleaning once a week will make it easy to clean the floor from small contaminants without the use of aggressive substances.
- You should learn how to choose both improvised cleaning products and special ones. Otherwise, there may be undesirable consequences that will not improve, but will aggravate the condition of damaged places.
- It is necessary to protect the upper protective layer of the laminate without scratching it with shoes, furniture legs or metal and abrasive devices when cleaning. It is the top acrylic layer that the laminate owes its brilliant appearance and easy cleaning.
- The scratches that appear must be repaired immediately, preventing further damage to the laminate.
- If a laminate is laid at the front door, then this area should be covered with a rug, linoleum or other material that will protect the top coating.
Recommendations
When cleaning or working with laminate flooring, it is important to remember the following:
- You can not use a lot of water, since you can irreparably harm the laminate.
- The surface of the laminate is subject to scratches, so you should never use alkaline, acid-containing and metallic products.
- If there is a need for the use of aggressive substances, you need to try their effect on an inconspicuous area. Leave aggressive substances on the laminate for a long time is prohibited.
- Laminate should only be dried naturally.
In conclusion, it should be noted that only an accurate attitude to the floor, timely elimination of all its defects and concern for the state of the laminate flooring will help to ensure the initial appearance of the laminate for many years. It is not difficult to do this, since it is not difficult to take care of the laminate.