Laminate floors are a popular flooring choice because they are affordable and durable. However, it can be challenging to keep dust-free, and if care is not taken, dust can scratch or dull your laminate flooring. This article will show you nine ways to keep your laminate floors dust-free and pristine.
Back in the day, whenever I visited my grandfather’s house, I always admired how clean, dust-free, and shiny his laminate floors were. I would ask him what his secret was, and he would always say, “a little elbow grease.”
Back at my hostel in school, we had laminate floors, but they never looked as good as my grandfather’s. Nevertheless, I was determined to find out how to keep them clean and dust-free like my grandfather’s to impress my lady friends who visited.
Casting my mind back at what my grandfather told me, a few research hours on the internet, and some trial and error, I have found what works in keeping laminate floors clean, dust-free, and pristine. Here are my 11 tips on how to keep laminate floors dust-free:
1. Invest In A Good Vacuum Cleaner
The first and most important step in keeping laminate floors dust-free is to invest in a good quality vacuum cleaner. Unfortunately, many types of vacuum cleaners are available in the market, and it can be confusing to choose one. My advice would be to choose one designed specifically for laminate floors and hardwood floors.
You do not want to go for a vacuum cleaner with a beater bar, as this can scratch or damage your laminate floors. Instead, go for one that has a soft brush attachment specifically designed for hardwood and laminate floors.
I would also recommend getting a cordless vacuum cleaner as this will make it easier to move around and clean all the nooks and crannies where dust likes to hide.
2. Vacuum Regularly
Apart from getting a good vacuum cleaner, do well to put it to very good use as often as possible. For example, vacuum your laminate floors at least once a day to keep them dust-free and looking good as new.
If you have pets, then you might need to vacuum a couple of times during the day to remove pet hair and dander from your floors. Vacuuming removes not only visible dirt and dust but also invisible particles that can scratch and damage your floors over time.
If you have a good vacuum cleaner like the Shark NV360 Navigator Lift-Away then in addition to the dust particles, you would be able to remove allergens while delivering clean air into your home.
3. Avoid Cluttering Your Room
One of the best ways to keep your laminate floors dust-free is to declutter your room and remove anything you do not need. Unfortunately, the more clutter you have in your room, the more difficult it will be to vacuum and clean properly.
In addition, all that clutter will provide more hiding places for dust particles, making it harder to keep your laminate floors dust-free. So, declutter your room and get rid of anything that you do not need or use regularly.
This would also help in making your room look more spacious and inviting. In addition, you could donate some of the items that you do not need to charity or have a garage sale to make some extra cash.
Another benefit of decluttering is that it would be easier to spot when something falls on the floor and needs to be picked up.
4. Use Pipe Hoover
If you have hard-to-reach places in your home, then you can use a pipe hoover to clean those areas. A pipe hoover is a long, thin attachment that you can attach to your vacuum cleaner.
This would enable you to reach all the nooks and crannies where dust likes to hide. Some vacuum cleaners will have a pipe hoover feature, while others will require you to buy one separately.
If you have a cordless vacuum cleaner, then this would be even easier as you would not have to worry about the cord getting tangled or in the way. Pipe hoovers are very useful for cleaning under furniture, skirting boards, and other hard-to-reach places.
5. Clean Your Rugs or Carpets Regularly
Another way to keep your laminate floors dust-free is to regularly clean your rugs or carpets. Rugs and carpets trap dust and dirt particles that can be transferred onto your laminate floors when you walk on them.
So, it is important to vacuum or clean your rugs and carpets regularly to prevent this from happening. You could also invest in a good-quality rug or carpet cleaner like the Bissell ProHeat to thoroughly clean your carpets and rugs.
6. Have A Good Doormat System
Another way to keep your laminate floors dust-free is to have a good doormat system in place. A good doormat system would generally include placing a doormat both outside and inside your home.
This would help to trap all the dirt and dust particles that are brought into your home from outside. In addition, it is also important to vacuum or clean your doormats regularly to prevent them from becoming a breeding ground for dust particles.
You could have a doormat at each entrance of your home or one long doormat that covers the entire length of your floor.
7. Don’t Wear Shoes In The House
To keep your laminate floors dust-free, it is important that you have a “no shoes inside” policy. This is because shoes can track in a lot of dirt and dust from outside, which would then be deposited on your laminate floors even if you have a good doormat system.
So, if possible, try to avoid wearing shoes in the house or at least take them off as soon as you enter your home. You could also have a designated area for shoes near the entrance of your home where everyone can leave their shoes before entering.
This would help keep your laminate floors dust-free and prevent your floor from getting scratched or damaged.
8. Regularly Clean Air Vents and Fans
Another way to keep your laminate floors dust-free is to clean air vents and fans regularly. Dust particles can easily get blown around by the wind and end up on your laminate floors.
So, it is important to clean your air vents and fans regularly to prevent this from happening. You could use a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment to clean the vents and fans.
9. Invest In A Good Laminate Cleaning Solution
The cleaning solution you use for your laminate floors is also important. Avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners as this can damage or scratch your floors.
Instead, look for a laminate-specific cleaning solution that is designed to be gentle on your floors. Some good options include the Bona Stone, Tile & Laminate Floor Cleaner.
You could also use a mixture of water, vinegar, and your favorite essential oil to clean your laminate floors. You dilute the vinegar with water as vinegar can be too harsh on your floors.
10. Use A Furniture Pad or Cover
You can use a furniture pad or cover to protect your laminate floors from scratches, which can trap dust and dirt. If you have furniture with sharp legs, consider getting some furniture pads or covers to put on the bottom of the legs.
This would create a barrier between your floors and the furniture so that if the furniture gets moved around, it would not scratch or damage your laminate floors.
Furniture pads are available in various materials, including felt, cork, and rubber. You can also buy furniture covers, basically sheets of fabric that you can drape over your furniture. These are great if you have pets, as they will help keep your furniture clean and free from pet hair.
11. Maintain A Good Lighting System In Your Home
Another way to keep your laminate floors dust-free is to maintain a good lighting system in your home. This is important because you will be able to see the dust particles more easily to vacuum or sweep them up.
In addition, good lighting will also help prevent the growth of mold and mildew, which can cause your floors to become discolored and damaged.
You could use floor lamps, table lamps, and even LED lights to create a good lighting system in your home.
12. Use A Humidifier In The Dry Season
If you live in an area with a lot of dry air, you could use a humidifier to help keep your laminate floors dust-free. This is because the humidifier will help add moisture to the air, preventing the dust particles from becoming airborne.
In addition, a humidifier will also help to keep your floors looking shiny and new.
13. Regularly Clean Your Baseboards
Last but not least, you can keep your laminate floors dust-free by regularly cleaning your baseboards. Dust particles can easily accumulate on your baseboards and then get transferred onto your floors when you vacuum or sweep.
So, it is important to clean your baseboards regularly using a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment or a damp cloth.
Final Thoughts
Keeping your laminate floors dust-free is important if you want them to have a clean, pristine look. You can easily keep your laminate floors dust-free by following the tips above.
I hope this article was helpful. Feel free to share it with your friends and family if you found it helpful. Thanks for reading!
FAQs
Q: How often should I vacuum my laminate floors?
A: You should vacuum your laminate floors at least once a week. If you have a lot of foot traffic in your home, you may need to vacuum more often.
Q: Can I use a steam mop on my laminate floors?
A: No, you should not use a steam mop on your laminate floors as this can damage them. Instead, it would be best to use a laminate-specific cleaning solution or a mixture of water, vinegar, and essential oils.
Q: How do I remove stains from my laminate floors?
A: You can remove stains from your laminate floors by using a laminate-specific cleaning solution or a mixture of water, vinegar, and essential oils. You should also avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive scrubbers, which can damage your floors.
Q: Can I use a wet mop on my laminate floors?
A: No, you should not use a wet mop on your laminate floors as this can damage them. Instead, use a spray bottle-based laminate floor cleaner and use a flathead microfiber mop instead of the wet mop.