Can laminate and linoleum be washed with a steam mop

Floor care rules

Laminate flooring requires constant and careful maintenance. In order for the floor covering to retain its presentable appearance for a long time, it is necessary to wipe it daily with a damp cloth.

In addition, there are rules of care to extend the life of the laminate:

1. Do not use plastic brushes, metal or other hard devices, which can leave scratches on the floor, to clean the floor.
2. Large debris should be removed with a broom, and small particles of dirt should be removed with a vacuum cleaner, and only then use a steam mop.
3. Do not use detergents containing abrasives that can damage the protective coating of the material.
4. Ethyl alcohol or acetone can be used to remove stains. The stain should be gently wiped with a soft cloth dampened with the specified solvents.
5. In order not to damage the laminate with sharp particles of dirt, sand and small pebbles brought from the street on shoes, it is recommended to put a rug at the threshold, on which those who enter will take off their shoes.
6. There are many chemicals on sale that are intended for the care of the laminate, so in order not to harm it, it is better to always purchase special household chemicals.
7. When using a steam mop, you can place a cloth between the nozzle and the laminate to increase the distance and protect the floor from steam damage.

It is necessary to wash the laminate several times a week, in the hallway and kitchen - at least 1-2 times a day. The coating near the entrance is exposed to significant stress, and therefore deteriorates much earlier. Such places must be protected with rugs and taken care of with extreme care.

Choosing a mop and detergents

Buying a steam mop is not an easy task. At best, an unsuccessful acquisition can be downright useless, and at worst, damage the protective coating. On the domestic market of household appliances, models of both Russian and European manufacturers are presented in abundance.

Domestic products are sometimes superior in quality, technology or functional features, and more often in terms of affordability, models of foreign manufacture. Famous brands that have already proven themselves deserve trust. If you find it difficult to choose a mop model, you should pay attention to such manufacturers as Kitfort, Philips, H2O, ENDEVER, Vax.

There are options for cleaning floors, different in price and quality, for example, a steam mop or a washing vacuum cleaner. The latter is a very effective but rather bulky device. Compared to it, the mop is lighter, more compact and has a lower price.

How to choose a laminate steam mop model:

1. It is important that the device has several steaming modes.
2. It is also desirable that she has a special handle on the body, for which it is convenient to hold the mop in the air.
3. In addition, consumers in their reviews claim that it is convenient if the device has a removable long handle, then it can be used not only for cleaning floors, but also for other purposes.

Sometimes the choice of detergents in the store is so great that the hostess does not know which product to buy. In this case, you just need to make sure that there is no abrasive and sodium carbonate in it. Before buying, you can compare the composition of a more expensive laminate fluid with a cheap universal remedy, and if there are no differences, you can safely purchase a second one.

In addition, the steam mop allows you to completely abandon the use of any chemicals, since it disinfects the surface by itself. To improve the gloss of your laminate flooring, you can clean the floor with water and a little vinegar.

Steam mop cleaning

It is known that excess moisture can ruin the floor covering, but it is especially dangerous if it consists of separate elements. Water penetrates the joints between the planks and the floor may deform over time.

Coating manufacturers claim that the only way to clean laminate flooring with a steam mop is if it is glued onto it. If the boards are simply connected by a locking method, then it is undesirable to use the device.

How to use a steam mop correctly:

1. Before cleaning floors, sweep up large debris with a soft brush or broom.
2. If there is a lot of dust on the floor, you can additionally walk on it with a vacuum cleaner with a retractable brush. This will avoid dirty stains on the floor.
3. Fill the reservoir with distilled water and turn on the power.
4. Before using the mop, make sure that steam has begun to be generated; during this time, do not leave the device unattended.
5. After finishing cleaning the floors, drain the remaining water from the appliance.

Important! If you need to add water to the device, then you must turn it off, disconnect it from the network and wait for it to cool. After that, you can reconnect it to the outlet and continue cleaning.

Laminate

Not all laminates can withstand steam treatment. Moisture-resistant laminate of 31-34 class with an AC4-AC5 wear resistance index will not suffer from washing with a steam mop if its seams and locks are protected with a sealant. The floors should be vacuumed or swept before treatment. To wash the laminate on the device, you must set the most gentle mode.

Linoleum

It is permissible to wash linoleum with a steam mop if used correctly. Do not hold the device in one place for more than 1 minute, otherwise the linoleum surface will tarnish due to prolonged contact with steam.

Tile

Tiled floors can be washed several times a day as they become dirty and use any detergent. The tile is very well cleaned with steam, this is especially noticeable at the joints. If the floors are very dirty, then after steaming it is necessary to wipe the floor with a dry cloth.

With some effort, you can clean the floor even without using any detergents, which is why the steam mop is rightfully considered the most environmentally friendly device for cleaning living spaces.