Laminate care guide

• To avoid damage, never push or drag furniture around on laminate flooring.

• Lift any furniture that needs to be moved.

• Place soft castors under chairs and table legs to prevent scratches and dents.

• A doormat will help keep dirt outside rather than being walked into your home.
• The most important thing to consider when keeping your laminate flooring clean is that it is not waterproof.
• You can clean most laminate flooring with a solution of vinegar and water – mix one cup of household vinegar with one gallon of warm water. Use a slightly damp mop, ensuring you don’t over wet the floor – water can cause water spots or warping on laminate flooring.

• Don’t use a soaking wet mop on laminate; if water soaks through it can seep into and under the layers causing warping.
• Any spills should be dealt with using a damp cloth and the residue wiped up with a dry cloth immediately.
• Keep the floors dirt and dust free by regularly sweeping with a soft broom or vacuuming with a hard floor attachment. A dry microfibre mop or cloth can be used to remove and collect loose dirt and dust.

• For a more intensive clean, use a well-wrung microfibre mop or floor cloth with specialist cleaning fluid, ensuring the residue is dried up afterwards.
• It is not recommended that floors with bevelled edges or V grooves are ever cleaned with a damp cloth or mop. This could cause dirt to accumulate in the grooves which could prove difficult to remove.
• Sometimes there are instances when substances like candle wax or chewing gum stick to laminate. In those instances, use ice to harden it and then scrape off with a plastic scraper. Wipe clean after with a lightly damp cloth.

1. Mix 1 part washing up liquid with 10 parts water.

2. Apply the solution to the stain and rub with a sponge or cloth.

3. Leave to dry thoroughly.

4. Mix 125ml of ammonia for every 5L of warm water.

5. Pour a small amount of the ammonia mixture onto the spot and leave to set for 10 minutes.

6. Gently scrub the ammonia with a soft-bristled brush, such as a toothbrush.

7. Rinse well with water and dry.

8. If the stain remains, increase the ratio of ammonia to water by half and repeat.

1. Wipe the scuff mark with a wet sponge.

2. Take a rubber eraser and rub along the grain of the wood.

TOP TIP: Do not use a plastic or gritty eraser, as this could damage your wood floor!

3. Repeat the process until the scuff is gone.

4. If all else fails, you can find scuff erasers at a hardware shop.

• Loose dirt can be swept or vacuumed away.
• Any stones or gravel needs to be dealt with carefully as they can scratch the surface of your laminate.
• After all debris has been removed, use a well-wrung mop to clean the floor with water. Add vinegar to the water to bring the shine back.
• If mopping doesn’t work, use a water and vinegar mixture on a damp cloth and scrub the floor intensely in sections.
• If your laminate flooring is old, it could just be wear and tear that’s making it dull. In some cases, a floor shiner or a couple of coats of floor polish can be used – but be careful afterwards, as your floor may become slippery.

• Some laminate flooring comes with added scratch guards – check the manufacturer’s information.
• Never use a scouring pad or other abrasive implement to clean laminate flooring.
• Remove shoes before walking on laminate. Small stones can get stuck in shoes and scratch your floor. A doormat will also help.

  Vacuum regularly

  Sweep with a soft broom

  Put doormats and rugs by doors

  Keep pets’ nails trimmed

  Over wet the laminate if attempting to remove stains

  Use anything abrasive

  Leave puddles to soak in

  Allow it to be subject to direct sunlight