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For a start, never use a scouring pad or other abrasive brushes.
Is cleaning your laminate floors next on your to-do list? A popular choice for many homeowners, laminate flooring needs to be cleaned with care as many popular methods (and products) can damage its appearance.
Before you start cleaning your living room or hallway, it's important to know that mopping and steaming laminate flooring is a no-no. Water can seep into the cracks, resulting in staining and discolouring. Ideally, you will want to clean your laminate flooring with a soft brush and damp cloth.
'When it comes to cleaning, it's important to know how to treat laminate flooring properly,' Johanna Constantinou, Brand and Communications Director at Tapi, tells House Beautiful UK. 'Do your best to stop scratches from happening in the first place. Whilst your laminate floor is scratch resistant, it isn't scratch-proof. Try not to let dirt, hair or other bits build up over time that may risk resulting in scratches.'
Keep reading for everything you need to know about cleaning your laminate floor like a pro...
1. Laminate floors hate water, so sweep with a soft brush or a slightly damp mop instead (mop your flooring once every two months). Make sure you only spot clean and use as little water as possible. Laminate will expand if exposed to too much water over a long period of time, and the joins in laminate are particularly susceptible to water damage.
2. For a quick, daily clean, use a soft brush or vacuum cleaner with a soft parquet brush attachment to pick up dirt and dust. Never use a scouring pad or other abrasive brushes to clean laminate flooring. If you do want to use a cleaner, we recommend the Vileda 2-in-1 spray mop (£24), as it gradually releases water in small bursts. Check the ingredients of your cleaning solution beforehand, opting for all-natural products that are designed for laminate.
'It's always important to refer to the manufacturer's notes to see which cleaning products should be used on your laminate. Other than that, a simple soft broom and a mop will be the only tools you'll need to keep it looking as good as new,' David Snazel, hard flooring buyer, at Carpetright adds.
3. Protect your flooring in-between cleans by placing doormats outside and inside your main entrance doors. They can pick up a surprising amount of dirt before it even gets onto your floor. As well as this, avoid dragging furniture or walking with pointed heels.
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Marie Kondo's Spark Joy is an in-depth, illustrated, room-by-room guide to decluttering and organising your home. If something sparks joy, keep it, if not, expel it from your home. This book covers every room in the house, as well as a wide range of items in different categories, including clothes, photographs, paperwork, books, cutlery, cosmetics, shoes, bags, wallets and valuables.
Famous home organisers to the stars, Clea Shearer and Joanna Teplin give you a masterclass in paring down your belongings in every room, arranging them in an aesthetically pleasing and easy-to-find way (they love a label), and maintaining the system so you don't need another do-over in six months. You can also watch their show, Get Organised with The Home Edit, on Netflix.
If you need to revolutionise your home routine, try the popular The Organised Mum Method (TOMM). The concept by Gemma Bray promises to help you 'clean smarter not harder' by spending 30 minutes cleaning a different room each day of the week – and it'll spare you your weekends, too.
Tracy McCubbin delves into the root of why many of us struggle to keep our homes decluttered. McCubbin's powerful answer lies in the 7 Emotional Clutter Blocks – obstacles she will help readers overcome in order to declutter their homes and improve their overall wellbeing.
Dana K. White explains, clearly and without delusions, what it takes to get – and keep – your home under control. Her strategies include where to start to tame the chaos, which habits deserve your focus and will make the most impact, and practical tips you can implement immediately to declutter a huge amount of stuff with minimal drama.
Marie Kondo's successful KonMari Method will help to keep your home clear and clutter-free permanently. If you follow the inspirational step-by-step, you're promised to see results.
Manage your home with Lynsey Crombie, Instagram sensation and TV's Queen of Clean, as she creates a system of speed-cleaning challenges, organisational habits and natural cleaners. Lynsey aims to share what she's learned to help you take the stress out of everyday life, so you can focus on what brings you joy.
Described as bursting with practical and relatable advice, this book injects enthusiasm, energy and humour into the essential and often mundane task of decluttering. Debora Robertson also helps you declutter your mind for an easier and more efficient life.
Banish Clutter Forever's Toothbrush Principle is a simple approach to decluttering your home – whether you live in a huge house or a small flat. It will show you how to: organise according to the unconscious blueprint that naturally tidy people have, know what to throw away with confidence, set up your wardrobe so you get much more use out of the clothes you have, and work from home productively in a clear, designated space.
Stay on top of your cleaning routine with Sophie Hinchliffe – better known Mrs Hinch – and her book, Hinch Yourself Happy. Mrs Hinch shares how cleaning can soothe anxiety and stress, plus step-by-step guides to hinching your home.