Tips for Stress free life  >  Expert Zone   > Home Improvement      

 Home Improvement Tips


Laminate Flooring - Cleaning & Maintenance


One of the biggest advantages of laminate floors is that they are made to look good for many years with a minimum of effort. Most laminates come with a 10 to 25 years residential warranty against staining, wearing and fading, depending on the brand. All you really need for cleaning are a vacuum cleaner, a dry mop and a damp towel for more difficult stains. Laminates are built to stand up to wear, but to keep them looking like new, here are a few recommendations.

Be aware that large pieces of sand or rock can cause visible scratching. These are usually easy to catch by having floor mats and foot brushes at outside doorway entrances. Dirt which gets pass the mats and brushes can cause invisible scratching that eventually leads to dullness. So, vacuum and mop regularly to keep grit off the floor. For dry cleaning, vacuuming is usually sufficient. Microfiber pads are also quite effective and, if available, lets you avoid involving fluids. Never clean with abrasives, scouring powder or steel wool.

Damp clean laminate flooring using a vinegar or ammonia-based solution. For example, you can pour 1/4 cup of vinegar into a 30 to 32 ounce empty spray bottle filled with plain water for a quick solution. Then, dampen a terry mop or a Swiffer with water and mop, spraying the floor as you go along. When damp mopping, avoiding standing fluids so you do not saturate the floor. Wipe immediately! Other possible cleaning fluids that have been suggested include:

- vinegar, rubbing alcohol, and water (equal parts)

- 1/3 white vinegar, 1/3 rubbing alcohol, 1/3 water, and 3 drops dishwashing liquid (1 quart total)

- Swiffer WetJet wood floor cleaner

- Windex

Here are some tips on spot cleaning:

To remove oil, paint, permanent marker, tar, rubber heel marks, use a neutral cleaner on a clean light colored cloth. If needed, use alcohol or a nail polish remover containing acetone. To remove blood, fruit juice, wine, beer, soda pop, pasta sauce, use warm water. If needed use a neutral cleaner on a light colored cloth. To remove candle wax or chewing gum, first harden with ice and then scrape very gently. Wipe the rest with warm water on a clean light colored cloth.

If your laminate is scratched, see if you can buy a touch up stick from your manufacturer. The area you repair will look, hold up to traffic and wear just like the rest of the laminate floor.

In case of more severe damage, which is unlikely to take place in most of the homes, a trained professional can be called to replace a plank. The new plank should be almost indistinguishable from the rest, if done properly.

Laminate flooring enthusiasts unite! Installation, maintenance, selection, e.g., Harmonics, Pergo, Shaw, Mannington - you name it, we are talking about it. Join us at http://laminateflooring.oncloud8.com


MORE RESOURCES:

OIC members urged to build debt relief solidarity
African Press Agency, Senegal - Oct 9, 2008
"I am calling for the development of a tangible action plan to establishing a system of debt relief or cancellation by rich Islamic states for economically ...


How FG spent N308.3bn debt relief funds
The Punch, Nigeria - Oct 1, 2008
By John Ameh, Abuja Nigeria realised and saved an estimated N308.3 bn from its debt relief efforts after the Paris Club wiped off its $19.3bn debt in June ...
FG Spends N2.4 bn Debt Relief Fund on Education –W’Bank THISDAY
all 6 news articles


On track to deliver
Mail & Guardian Online, South Africa - 1 hour ago
The government has been negotiating for debt relief on a bilateral basis given that it does not qualify for debt relief under the Highly Indebted Poor ...


Credit crunch blues........Ghana to be affected
Happyghana.com, Ghana - 4 hours ago
Ghana owes a lot of its recent economic success to debt relief, foreign aid received, and the high prices for its exports of cocoa and gold. ...


Ja can gain Nigerian-like benefits from debt relief programme ...
Jamaica Observer, Jamaica - Sep 23, 2008
"Nigeria has huge debt of many billion dollars and two or three years ago, there was a concerted effort by all concerned to give debt relief. ...


Debt relief panel to explore possibilities
Express Buzz, India - Oct 4, 2008
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala State Farmers’ Debt Relief Commission, constituted to give the much-needed succour to the farm sector, is kicking off the ...


Debt relief for woman, 90, who shot herself to escape eviction
The Standard, Hong Kong - Oct 5, 2008
Mortgage finance giant Fannie Mae says it will write off the debt of a 90-year-old woman who shot herself in the chest as sheriff's deputies tried to evict ...


Benefit From Being Part Of "America'S Most Trusted Company For ...
Franchising.com (press release), CA - Oct 2, 2008
October 02, 2008 // Franchising.com // Rise Above Debt Relief, a nationwide sales organization offering debt counseling and relief programs is creating ...


Centre announces Rs 2518 cr debt relief to farmers in Kerala
Business Standard, India - Sep 17, 2008
PTI / Kottayam September 17, 2008, 18:51 IST Centre has announced a debt relief of Rs 2518.12 crore to the farmers in Kerala during the current year. ...


Memorandum on Debt Relief Scheme
Express Buzz, India - Oct 3, 2008
PALAKKAD: The Deseeya Karshaka Samajam has demanded in a memorandum to Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram that some provisions in the Debt Relief Scheme ...

Debt-Relief - Google News

You are here Home > Tips for Stress free Life > Expert Zone > Home Improvement


| Home Improvement  | Home Improvement - Complete list 

| Main Home | | Meditation Corner

                |Health Tips  | Workplace Tips  | Soul Tips  |Expert Zone  |

Recommend us  |

 Books, DVDs and accessories on meditation & yoga  |

[About us] [Contact] [Privacy Policy]

Copyright 2006, Meditation is Easy.com, All rights reserved