How to Clean Laminate Floors Naturally
Learning how to clean laminate floors without resorting to harsh chemicals will not only save the laminate flooring over time, but will also help to detoxify your house. Laminate floors have been a great invention for homes but too often homemakers aren't sure about the best way to keep their floors clean. One thing is for sure, it is not with chemical based cleaners.
For starters, while laminate floors are not heavy on maintenance, it is still a good idea to sweep up dirt and debris from high-traffic areas every day. This will prevent dirt buildup and keep laminate floors looking as beautiful as when they were installed.
One way to keep dirt from getting on laminate flooring is to place doormats and area rugs at all entrances. These rugs will trap dirt before it gets on the floor. It's a lot easier to pick up a doormat or area rug to clean it outdoors that to have to keep cleaning ground-in dirt from laminate flooring.
Often, when people first have laminate flooring installed, they're urged to buy certain products to care for the floor. While many of these products will get the floor clean, they also contain chemicals that are dangerous to home residents, including pets. What's more, they often have a strong chemical smell to them that isn't what you want in a home environment, especially with a child or children who suffers from asthma or allergies. That's why many homemakers today are learning how to clean laminate floors without harsh chemicals.
A better way to clean laminate flooring is to follow today's trend toward eco-friendly housekeeping. First, clean the floor using something soft that won't scratch the surface. A mop that has a fleece or cotton pad, a dust mop or a dry soft mop will work fine.
If you'd like to have some cleaning up fun, put on an old pair of cotton socks and "skate" around the floor. The socks will pick up the dirt and then you can simply toss the socks in the washer. The "sock method" has two advantages: You clean your laminate floor in an eco-friendly way and you get some good exercise while you're at it.
If all your laminate floor needs is a spot-clean here and there, try dabbing a small mount of vinegar on the area, then wipe it away. Vinegar is one of nature's best cleaners and it won't damage the floor's surface or leave behind any streaks.
One thing that isn't good for laminate flooring is steam. This can especially be a problem with laminate flooring in kitchens and bathrooms, a home's two most naturally steamy places. Hot water can take the finish off laminate floors, leaving it vulnerable to scrapes and scratches that will catch dirt. Avoid steaming or wet mopping your laminate floors and use the dry-mop cleaning method instead. In addition, always clean up spills right away so there are no water rings staining your floors.
Remember that the chemicals in some popular brands of floor cleaners have been linked to several health issues including asthma, skin irritations, tissue damage and cancer. Additionally, chemical cleaners often leave behind a residue, especially on linoleum and wood floors. This is because these kinds of flooring have pores that tend to hold the chemicals for a long time.
Rather than risking the health of your family and pets, switch to eco-friendly cleaning for all the surfaces in your home, from laminate floors to walls and ceilings. Do that, and you'll have learned how to clean laminate floors in the healthiest way for your home.