Homeowners today opt for laminate floors due to their winning combo of durability, affordability, and undeniable good looks. But how easy is it to clean the surface? Especially when you need a bit of extra way to tackle tough stains or ensure the surface below your feet is germ-free – that’s when using bleach sounds pretty tempting!
Sure enough, bleach is no joke when it comes to heavy cleaning duty, but can you safely apply this powerful cleanser to laminate flooring — without risking its appearance?
Let’s dive right into this topic and find out if it’s a good idea to use bleach on your laminate flooring! If not, we’ll explore the alternative cleaning methods so you can maintain your floors in their best condition.
What are Laminate Floors?
Sure, we’ll dive into bleaching laminate floors. But before we move forward, let’s cover the basics of laminate flooring.
In simple terms, laminate flooring is basically an artificial range of synthetic floor covering built up from a few layers. It is made up of a protective topmost layer keeping all manner of scratches and spills away. Besides, the underneath has a pretty decorative component to give your floor color and stability to provide moisture resistance!
No doubt, laminate flooring is a popular choice for most people due to its cost-effectiveness, range of applications, and simple setup—but this surface isn’t entirely impervious to damage. For this, you must be careful of using the wrong cleaning product because certain cleaning items could cause severe damage if applied inappropriately!
What is Bleach?
This is a strong chemical that’s everywhere in our homes. Often, we use bleach to disinfect, remove stains, and whiten fabrics till they’re gleaming. But don’t forget how strong this chemical is – if you go a bit overboard with it, the results may not be palatable. It can cause damage to various materials, including laminate flooring! For this reason, you need to mind the way you use it when tackling any hygiene job around the house.
Potential Risks of Using Bleach on Laminate Floors
Bleach may seem like a helpful solution to remove tough spots on laminate floors, but it can result in serious damage to the surface. How?
Well, laminate flooring is created for a certain level of moisture resistance, whereas bleach is highly reactive and does not get along with that. Invariably, it can cause fading or discoloration, which likely won’t be able to disappear in the breeze!
So, opting for bleaching solutions will ultimately weaken the floor surface and make it more suspensible to wear and tear over time. This, in turn, drags your laminate floor lifespan significantly shorter. For this reason: save yourself the trouble and avoid all types of bleach when tackling your laminate floor cleaning projects if you want its longevity.
Recommended Cleaning Solutions for Laminate Floors
No need to bother yourself over cleaning your laminate floors with bleach, as there are many safe and reliable solutions out there! Let’s take a look at some
A Blend of Vinegar and Water
A mixture of white vinegar and water can do amazing things for laminate floors. The mild acidity in the solution breaks up accumulated dirt, unveiling a sparkling shine. So, all you need to do is to combine an equal ratio of both liquids into a spray bottle, then move your microfiber mop around to get those floorboards looking fresh!
Mild Detergent and Water Solution
Do you need something a bit stronger than the above mixture? Then, you can dilute a mild detergent with water but do not overdo this! However, make sure you get a mild detergent specially for laminate floors and use as little water as possible during the cleaning process.
Isopropyl Alcohol Solution
Another cleaning solution you can use is Isopropyl alcohol. It is undoubtedly meant to remove stains and dirt from laminate floors effectively. So, dilute a small amount in water, and mop up those nasty stains with a gentle cloth.
Dealing with Tough Stains and Discoloration on Laminate floor
To clean laminate floors properly and safely, follow these simple steps.
First, prepare the area by sweeping away debris and dust before you start cleaning. And when it’s time to clean the laminate floors, use the specially-made solution to deal with whatever dirt or stain you’re trying to remove.
For just general cleaning, mixing a bit of water and vinegar should be fine. However, for those seemingly impossible-to-remove stains and discolorations, it might be tempting to use harsh chemicals like bleach. But trust me – that’s a sure way for the stain to set in permanently!
Instead, go with something gentler and try mixing vinegar with water or opt for a commercial laminate cleaner. With this, you can give the stained area a good scrubbing using something soft like a cloth or sponge until you start seeing results. And if the stains persist, try again and repeat what worked earlier – don’t give up without giving it your all!
Another thing to consider is to avoid too much water and be sure to keep the mop only a little damp when you’re mopping laminate floors. Too much water can sneak into the seams and make them swell or warp up, so watch out! Also, remember to follow the directions of your floorboards while you’re drivin’ that mop around; you don’t want to push any water right down into the crevices.
Best Way to Maintain Your Laminate Floors
Good news — your laminate floors can look new and sparkle again with the right maintenance. To keep them looking their best, here’s a summary of what to do:
- Make sure to sweep or vacuum the floor regularly. It’ll help keep dirt and other junk out of sight.
- Deal with any spills and stains on the floor surface immediately.
- Steer clear of those harsh, damaging chemicals like bleach, which can take a toll on your laminate flooring.
- Prevent pesky scratches and dents from ruining your floors with the help of area rugs and floor protectors!
- Do regular checks on your floor surface to deal with any potential problems before they even have a chance to start.
Conclusion
Bleach is a strong chemical for cleaning tough surface stains, but it is not a good option for laminate floors! The harsh chemical can have some severe damaging effects on your once beautiful flooring. So, instead of reaching for bleach, opt for the above cleaning solution in this article. With this, you can keep cherishing your gorgeous laminate floors without worrying about potential damage down the road!
