How to wash laminate: description and characteristics of mops. How should you clean laminate floors? main types of mops - which one do you choose

Laminate floors require special care. This material does not respond well to an excess of moisture, so after cleaning the house, it should remain as much as possible on the floor surface. less water. In addition, such a surface is very sensitive to various mechanical damage, due to which over time it can become scratched and lose its luster.

To extend the life of your floor and keep it attractive for a long time appearance, you need, first of all, to use the “correct” mop.

Read this article:

Types of mops

Today in hardware stores you can find many different models of mops, each of which has its own purpose, as well as its own advantages and disadvantages. To understand which laminate floor mop is best, you need to know what their types are and what they are intended for.

Household - most of these products consist of a telescopic handle and a movable platform. The telescopic handle allows you to adjust its length and angle of inclination. Removable nozzles are attached to the movable platform, which can be replaced with new ones over time.
Universal models allow you to clean not only the floor, but also any other surfaces. The universal mop platform has special ends: one is equipped with a soft rubber scraper that allows you to effectively remove water from the floor, and the second is covered with abrasive material. With the help of the second end, you can clean any heavily soiled surface. Almost all universal models come with a lot of removable nozzles that allow you to efficiently clean a variety of surfaces.
Professional - with the help of professional mops, cleaning of premises that differ in a sufficiently large area is carried out. For example, these models are used for cleaning offices, schools, hospitals, etc.
Steam - do the cleaning with the help of steam. These products are equipped with a tank for water, which, when heated, turns into steam. With the help of hot steam, you can not only clean surfaces, but also disinfect them.

Which model to choose?

In order to choose the right mop for laminate flooring, and not later regret an unsuccessful purchase, you need to know about the advantages and disadvantages of each model.

household

Advantages. The main advantage of such models is the price and ease of use. For dry cleaning of laminate flooring, it is best to purchase a nozzle made of yarn - it will effectively collect dust and crumbs from the floor. In addition, a yarn nozzle will allow you to wax the surface of the floor with high quality, which will visually hide minor scratches and give a beautiful shine. For washing the floor, a nozzle with a not very long pile is used.

Flaws. As a rule, nozzles for household products are attached with Velcro or special pockets. It is advisable to purchase the latter option, since Velcro eventually becomes clogged with debris and becomes less tenacious, which can render the product unusable.

Universal

Advantages. Universal devices for washing floors differ from household ones in some ways. design features and a lot of nozzles. Thanks to the abrasive material on the platform, they are very convenient to use in kitchens where the laminate often gets grease and other dirt that a regular household mop might not be able to handle. Thanks to the rubber scraper, universal models are able to sufficiently remove excess moisture from the floor surface, which will protect it from waterlogging and rapid damage.

Flaws. Higher price compared to household.

Professional

Advantages. They do an excellent job of cleaning large rooms, they are distinguished by high strength and durability.

Flaws. Not suitable for use in ordinary apartments because they have nozzles large sizes that prevent access to hard-to-reach places.

Steam

Advantages. Steam-powered products are able to quite effectively clean the floor, while destroying harmful bacteria that are brought into the room with shoes, outerwear and animals. Steam devices are especially convenient for those who have small children or suffer from allergies. You can clean the laminate by switching the appliance to a special mode with a moderate steam supply, which will prevent the floor from getting too wet. Another plus is the ability to disconnect the steam generator (if provided by the manufacturer) and use it to clean the car interior.

Flaws. Steam mopping devices also have a number of disadvantages that you need to know about before buying them:

Dependence on electrical energy.
Not a long duration of work - about 40 minutes.
Such devices are equipped with a water tank, and if you purchase a model with a large tank in order not to constantly add water, then it can be quite massive, heavy and uncomfortable. Therefore, it is best to buy a unit with a medium-sized tank.

The main thing you should pay attention to when choosing a mop for laminate flooring is the ability to wring out water. This is necessary to prevent waterlogging of the floor surface.
You also need to pay attention to the material from which the nozzles are made - it should absorb moisture well, leave no streaks when washing and dry quickly. These materials include sponge and rubber. Microfiber and yarn fibers will dry a little longer, but they differ from rubber and sponge in higher wear resistance. It should also be borne in mind that not always a sponge good quality serves less nozzles made of yarn made from low-quality raw materials.

When choosing a mop, you should also keep in mind the quality of your laminate. So, an expensive coating is less susceptible to moisture. However, it is still not worth it to abuse wet cleaning, no matter how expensive and quality material your floor was not covered.

Olga Nikitina

Reading time: 16 minutes

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Everyone has probably encountered washing the floor, and everyone knows that this business is not so simple. Especially if four-legged friends live with you, for whom you have to clean up almost every day. Technology is currently evolving rapidly, and there are new types of mops with which you can clean the floors without any effort.

Mops vary in quality, price and material – but which one should you choose?

Before choosing a mop for your home, you need to pay attention to:

Material. In the markets you can find a mop made of different materials: plastic, aluminum, wood. Plastic and aluminum mops are more popular than wood mops because they are more comfortable. The washing nozzle of the mop can be rag, sponge, rope, with microfiber, there are also flat mops (flounder), steam, etc.
Functionality. Mops differ in functionality - one can be squeezed out with a lever, and on the other, you still need to remove the rag and wring it out manually. The first option is suitable for older people, since when working with this tool you do not have to bend over much. Which is more convenient - you know better.
Design. Mops with different designs and colors appear in the World. In stores, you can find triangular, round and rectangular shabra.
Quality. On the this moment There are a wide range of mops in the range, which vary in quality. A cheaper mop may not last long. But still, you should not take on expensive options right away, it’s better to think about which mop is best for you.
The size. When choosing a mop, pay attention to its size and thickness. For example, with a flat mop, you don’t have to move furniture often, as it will crawl under beds, sofas and clean out all the dirt. With a thick mop, the situation is different, since getting under the bed will be somewhat more difficult.

7 main types of mops - which one do you choose?

1. Rag mop

A mop with a rag nozzle is made of wood. It is the simplest and consists of two parts: a handle and a head on which a rag is thrown. This design resembles the letter "T".

This type mops are no longer in fashion, but still such tools are available in various organizations and are an environmentally friendly product.

The rag mop is not suitable for all floor coverings - and is mainly used for cleaning tile and linoleum, rarely wood flooring.

A wooden mop can be found at any hardware store or supermarket.

When choosing, pay attention to its handle - it should “sit” tightly and not stagger in different directions.

It is inexpensive - from 50 rubles and more.

Pros of a rag mop:

Simplicity.
Environmental friendliness.
Profitability.

Cons of a rag mop:

Low functionality.
Short service life.

This type of mop is currently very common, both in Russia and abroad.

The mop consists of a plastic handle and a sponge nozzle that can be changed at any time.

But this type of mop already differs from the previous one in that it can be squeezed out without touching the sponge, with which dirt is removed.

The mop is convenient because it does not require much effort when washing the floor, it can be used by children and the elderly. It quickly collects both dust and animal hair. If you accidentally spilled water on the floor, then a mop with a sponge nozzle is a godsend!

It is better to wash the floor with this mop linoleum or tiles, as it can scratch parquet or laminate.

Its price is low - from 280 rubles. Replaceable sponge nozzle costs from 80 rubles.

Before buying this mop, read some recommendations:

Before buying, make sure it is intact so that the sponge is tightly attached with screws.
Before washing the floor, you need to hold in warm water 10 minutes for the sponge to get wet. If this is not done, the mop will break.
To dip the mop into the water, you will need a container that matches the size of the sponge. A bucket in this case will not work, since you simply cannot properly wet and wash the floor.
If the sponge is dirty, rinse more often so that there are no streaks.
The humidity of the floor depends on how hard you pulled the lever.
Do not press hard on the mop, as this can tear off the sponge.
If the sponge began to move away, come off, it needs to be changed, otherwise you risk getting a poorly washed surface or an insufficiently dry floor.

Pros of a mop with a sponge nozzle:

Functionality.
Ease of use.
Quick cleaning of the floor.
Profitability.
popularity and availability.
Good moisture absorption.

Mop cons:

Fragility (the lever breaks, the sponge comes off, the screwed screws rust).
May leave streaks, causing frequent water changes.
This mop cannot be quickly walked under low furniture.

This tool is similar to the previous one, but more original. The mop differs in that it squeezes out a little differently, shrinking from the sides like butterfly wings.

It is good because it fits in any bucket.

mop price ranges from 200 to 2000 rubles.

Advantages of a butterfly mop:

Profitability.
Functionality.
Quick cleaning of the floor.
Good moisture absorption.
Ease of use.
Interesting design.

Mop cons:

Not very long service life.

This type of mop is also well known to everyone. The design consists of several parts: a handle, a platform and a microfiber nozzle. The mop platform is flat and very flexible.

Microfiber material washes the floor very quickly and well, leaving no fluff - you can wash the surface, both from linoleum and from laminate. Even children can wash with this mop.

The range of microfiber mops is quite high, and the price will depend on the quality of the material of the nozzle itself.

On average, a mop with a nozzle costs from 2000 rubles and more.

A few tips:

This mop has a special button to release the nozzle. Click on it and the platform will bend.
Dip the nozzle in water and wet it well and wring it out. Put the nozzle back on the platform and straighten it until it clicks. Be careful, you can pinch your fingers! After this procedure, you can start washing the floor.
To clean parquet or laminate surfaces, wring out the microfiber material thoroughly to prevent the floor from swelling.

The mop has more pros than cons:

Has light weight.
Functional.
Movable.
Has a flat platform shape, can be washed under the bed or sofa.
The microfibre nozzle allows you to dry the floor.
Durable.
The nozzle can be washed.
Rarely leaves streaks.

Cons of a microfiber mop:

To wash the floor, you need to remove the nozzle and squeeze.
Does not clean the floor from animal hair.
High price.

The mop has a long handle and a round platform on which ropes or harnesses are fixed. Ropes are made mainly from cotton, rarely from polyester.

Some rope mops have a spin system. Sometimes a mop can be found along with a special bucket that has a special wringer compartment.

Rope mop fits for linoleum. You should not take this for parquet, laminate or tile, as it does not collect moisture enough.

Inexpensive mop is worth from 500 rub.

Advantages of a rope mop:

Functionality.
Profitability.
Has a special spin.
The nozzle can be washed.

Mop Disadvantages:

Absorbs little moisture.
Does not pick up all dust or animal hair.

6. Flat mop (Flounder)

This type of mop is similar to a microfiber mop, but may have nozzles with different material: microfiber and cotton. flat mop can rotate in a circle and wash all surfaces - from floor to ceiling. It has a lightweight aluminum handle and a comfortable design.

With this mop you can wash any floor, as the nozzle is easily squeezed dry and wipes without lint.

mop price - from 1500 rubles.

Pros of a flat mop:

durable
functional
Convenient to use
It has a highly absorbent material.
mobile
Leaves no streaks.
The mop head is washable.

Mop cons:

It has a rather high price.
Not suitable for pet owners.
To wash the floor, you need to remove and rinse the nozzle several times with your hands.

New innovations gave housewives steam mops. This type of instrument is currently only beginning to gain popularity.

The mop has the function of outputting hot steam, thereby perfectly washing and disinfecting the surface.

It is so technologically advanced that you don’t need a bucket and additional time to rinse and wring out the nozzle to clean the floors.

You can find a steam mop in stores for 2500 rubles.

The steam tool is universal, it can disinfect any floor surface, carpets and even upholstered furniture. To use it, read the instructions that come with the kit.

If you decide to wash a laminate or parquet floor, make sure that its surface is airtight.

Do not direct the steam stream at people or pets!

Advantages of a steam mop:

Convenient to use.
Universal (suitable for floors and furniture).
Disinfects surfaces from germs.
Does not require rinsing and squeezing.
Functional.
Suitable for pet owners.
Harmless to health.
You do not need to buy detergents to wash the floor.

Flaws:

High price.
When washing the floor, children and animals must be supervised so that they do not get burned.

We will be very pleased if you share your experience of using one or another type of mops!

Laminate is a little capricious in operation and requires special handling. Many housewives do not know what washing devices to use for it. And so the question is often asked: is it possible to wash the laminate with a steam mop?

If the coating is not properly handled, the result will not be long in coming. You will see how the laminate will fade, become covered with stains or scratches, which will make its appearance completely unsightly.

How to take care of laminate flooring constantly and correctly. The least you have to do is to walk around the apartment every day with a damp cloth. As for the rest of the rules, you need to know:

Do not use cleaners that contain abrasives. It will make holes in the surface of the material.
It is not recommended to clean the laminate with hard metal or plastic-coated appliances, they leave scratches.
To remove stains, you can use acetone or ethyl alcohol. Fresh stains can be simply wiped with a soft cloth soaked in this solution.
On the shelves of stores, you can find many products that are suitable for laminate flooring and do not harm it.
Large dust particles must be swept with a broom. For fine dirt, use a vacuum cleaner.
In order not to spoil the coating in the corridor and not drag dirt into the apartment, lay a carpet or a large floor cloth in the hallway, on which it is recommended to leave shoes.
If you are using a steam cleaner, create extra space between the nozzle and the floor by placing the first cloth underneath.

The coating at the doors is more sensitive, so cleaning in these areas must be done with extreme care. And it is recommended to wash the floor several times a week.

How to choose a mop

It is a mistake to assume that any washing tool is suitable for laminate flooring. Some devices not only cannot properly clean the surface, but can also damage it. Best fit rectangular a mop to which you can stick several nozzles:

The first option is suitable for dry cleaning.
The second option is used when it is necessary to wipe the dust.
The third nozzle washes the surfaces without leaving any damage on them.

If you do not know which model of such a mop to choose, then pay attention to manufacturers such as Promo, Velida and Universal. To make your life easier and reduce cleaning time, choose models with a spin function.

There are also more advanced options, such as a steam mop or a washing vacuum cleaner. With regards to the latter, this is a fairly effective, but cumbersome tool. But the mop effectively copes with its tasks, is compact and costs much less. But getting up legitimate question Can a steam mop be used on laminate flooring?

Everyone knows that a large amount of moisture has a bad effect on the coating, especially if it is made of strips. Water gets into the joints and swelling can occur. Whether this applies to laminate, the question is ambiguous. The manufacturers of this coating claim that it is possible to wash the laminate with a steam mop only when the coating was laid on an adhesive basis. If you just collected boards, then the use of this device is not recommended.

How a steam mop works

In fact, it is extremely effective tool which is suitable for washing different surfaces. But how to use a steam mop correctly?

The device is equipped with a small tank into which ordinary water is poured before washing.
Under the influence of the mechanism, it heats up to a temperature of 100 degrees.
Steam comes out of the holes under slight pressure, which cleans the surface.

A feature of this device is that it not only cleans the floor, but also disinfects. This is especially true if you have small children in your apartment.

Floor cleaning instructions

The question of how to use a mop does not just arise. Many, seduced by the beauty of the laminate, covered the floor in their apartment with it, and then took up their heads. Divorces began to form on it, and scratches appeared. So how do you clean and not harm your floor?

Before starting wet cleaning, collect all large debris with a broom or a special brush.
Collect the remaining dust with a vacuum cleaner. The main thing is to use a nozzle with a retractable brush so that the plastic edges do not scratch the floor.
Take specialized tool for washing and dilute it with warm water.
While wetting the nozzle, wipe the coating in small fragments. After each wetting, the nozzle or sponge must be carefully wrung out to prevent excessive moisture on the floor.

Read the instructions on the detergent box carefully before cleaning your floor.

What you need to know when choosing cleaning products

Many, coming to the store for a cleaning agent, fall into a stupor. The choice is so great that it is not so easy to understand what exactly you need. When choosing a laminate floor cleaner, keep the following in mind:

If the product contains sodium carbonate, then it is not suitable for you.
Compare the composition of a universal fluid with a specialized one, most likely you will not find differences, so it makes no sense to overpay.
You can completely refuse to wash with cleaning products, and add a little table vinegar to the water.

When using detergent, do not allow it to come into contact with the skin of the hands - minor injuries may occur. It is recommended to use rubber gloves for cleaning.

Tips for removing various contaminants from the laminate

It happens that you did not immediately notice some kind of damage or stain, and it is no longer possible to wipe it off with acetone. What to do in such cases and how to clean the surface?

If wax gets on the laminate, wait for it to dry and carefully pick up the blot with a knife. The remaining traces can be wiped with a mild soap solution.
To remove various stains, you can use both specialized sponges and linen cloth.
Many stains are perfectly wiped off with window spray, which contains alcohol.
To get rid of scratches on the surface, you can use special putties or colored sealants.
If your shoes left streaks on the floor, you can remove them with a regular rubber band.

Do not be afraid to wash or clean the coating, because from a lack of cleaning it can be just as damaged as from close care.

If the adhesive method was chosen when laying the laminate, then you acted extremely wisely. In this case, you can use steam mops, washing vacuum cleaners, and other technological advances. If this is not the case, then you will have to make some efforts to maintain the floor in its original form.

Familiar parquet, linoleum and tiles are increasingly being replaced with more affordable ones. modern materials. But modern floor coverings require special care products. Choosing the right mop is essential for a long lasting floor. This takes into account the type of coverage. Let's find out, a mop for a laminate - which one is better? They are issued in huge number, all have advantages and disadvantages.

Laminate floor - features

Visually, it seems that the laminate is a very durable material, but it is more vulnerable than it seems. Thanks to the top layer of melamine or acrylic, the material is also protected from liquids.

Laminate is represented by six classes, which differ in the thickness and density of the top layer:

21, 22, 23 - household laminate, which is used in residential areas. Such material quickly wears out and lends itself to mechanical damage.
31, 32, 33 - the material is used in domestic and public buildings.
34 - used in rooms where the load is extremely high.

Important! For the manufacture of the bearing part of this floor covering compressed wood shavings and special protective impregnations are used. It is their quality that affects the resistance of the material to moisture.

Laminate of a moisture-resistant series from well-known manufacturers is not deformed, even if it lies in water for six hours. It can be used in the kitchen or in the bathroom, but its cost is quite high. When choosing a budget option, you should follow the rules for using the material.

Important! If, nevertheless, despite the observance of the rules for caring for the floor covering, the laminate still needs repair, do not rush to think about its complete replacement. Consider the questions first:

Types of mops

We already know that liquid can be detrimental to laminate floors. How to wash them properly? Mop for washing laminate - how to choose?

Hardware stores are filled with a wide variety of mops that have advantages and disadvantages. Consider the main types of products for washing laminate:

Household - this product includes a telescopic handle and a movable platform. Thanks to the telescopic handle, the length and angle of inclination can be adjusted.
Universal - used for cleaning not only the floor, but also any other surface. platform on universal model equipped with special ends: using a rubber scraper, water is effectively removed from the floor, abrasive material on the other hand cleans any contaminated surfaces.
Professional - used for cleaning large rooms.
Steam - in the process of cleaning, steam is used, which eliminates strong pollution.

How to take care of laminate flooring?

After choosing the best laminate floor mop, you should familiarize yourself with the basic rules for caring for this material, because thanks to this it will last even longer.

Rule 1

In order for the floor to serve for a long time, it needs to be prevented. Most often, dirt is brought into the apartment with shoes. After that, sand is in all rooms, and since it is an abrasive material, the laminate is covered with scratches. In order to avoid this, the corridor should be equipped with a good rubber mat, on which all the dirt will linger.

Important! Do not use a washing vacuum cleaner to wash the laminate, as behind it in in large numbers moisture remains. But if you decide to purchase a device suitable for cleaning the coating, then it will not be superfluous to read a few reference articles:

Rule 2

Which mop is best for laminate flooring in an apartment? Before you find out, you should answer the question: is it possible to wash your flooring at all? Some of its types are not afraid of moisture at all, but in a conventional coating, when water gets between the seams, the top layer swells. For this reason, water-based adhesives should not be used for gluing laminate flooring.

Although every day you can dry clean the floor with a vacuum cleaner. The main thing in this case is to use a special brush with a long nap.

Important! Keep sand, dust and other abrasive particles away from the floor covering.

Rule 3

After vacuuming, you can perform wet cleaning. The problem is that water is alkaline. When used for cleaning, white stains remain on the floor. To neutralize it, ordinary vinegar is used. The cleaning solution contains:

¼ cup white vinegar;
2 liters of warm water.

Mop for laminate - which is better? It is better to use those options in which the surface is made of microfiber. After washing the floor, you need to slightly open the windows for a while so that it dries well.

Important! If puddles remain on the floor during the washing process, they must be removed immediately with a dry cloth.

Rule 4

When using special chemistry, it is important to pay attention to the components that make up its composition. So that the shine does not disappear, the composition should not include soap or ammonia. Laminated coating does not require rubbing and polishing. If scratches and scuffs appear, they can be eliminated with the help of special pastes.

Stain removal

Often on the floor, especially if there are small children in the house, a variety of stains appear that are not so easy to remove. But this is also possible, the main thing is to know the approach to them!

Important! When stains appear, you need to start removing them as soon as possible.

Ink

To remove ink stains, plain water and a rag are used. If this does not work to cope with pollution, you should use a special detergent for the laminated surface. If the stain is old, you will need a stain remover.

Wine

In this case, a rag is soaked in denatured alcohol and used to wipe the contaminated surface.

Marker

If the floor turned out to be a canvas for a young artist and the traces of the marker cannot be wiped off in any way, white spirit is applied to a soft cloth to wipe off the stains.

Blood

To eliminate this type of pollution, a conventional glass cleaning spray is used. After the stain disappears, the surface is washed with plain water.

Black footprints from shoes

To remove the marks that remain from the soles, a regular eraser is often used. If it is not at hand, prepare a solution baking soda. You can also use glass cleaner.

Important! Unfortunately, even with the most careful use, the laminate flooring is scratched and loses its appearance, see our master classes for all about how to restore laminate flooring:

footage

Caring for laminate flooring is not that difficult. The most important thing is regular cleaning with the help of specially designed products. Thanks to this, the floor covering will delight with its appearance for more than a dozen years.

Laminate is a very high quality and beautiful flooring. However, it requires proper and thorough care, otherwise it can quickly lose its appearance. Since such a floor needs a laminate mop, it has great importance. Therefore, it must be chosen correctly.

It is advisable to give preference to such a device that is intended for the corresponding type of flooring. The fact is that the soft part of such a mop is made of special yarn or microfiber, which is able to wash the dirt well and not scratch the surface. There are several types of presented products: universal, professional and household. For home use, the first and last type are well suited. A laminate mop can have a different design, but the principle of operation is the same - the nozzle must be equipped with a soft cloth that will absorb water well and wash off dirt.

At the time of purchase, it is better to give preference to products with a rectangular or triangular nozzle. The fact is that they can serve for a long time, in addition, the fiber can be washed. In a quality product, a mop may have an additional function: to turn into a brush, which is used for sweeping. A laminate mop can be sold with a bucket. Naturally, it will have the same shape as the nozzle.

During the selection, carefully inspect the product. Mop for laminate should be able to attach interchangeable nozzles. Since the fiber on the nozzle should not be too wet, it is better to purchase a product with a wringer. Pay attention to the mop handle. It is desirable that it be telescopic. In this case, you can easily reach even those parts of the floor that are under the furniture.

Naturally, all materials must be of high quality. For example, the handle and wringer should be made of metal, as they will be used very often. A plastic product does not have such high strength. Please note that the metal must be protected from water. In principle, factory products are coated with special compounds that protect the metal from corrosion and rusting.

After use, the mop for washing the laminate should dry out. From time to time, the fiber on the nozzle needs to be washed. There are no special storage requirements for the product, it is enough to leave it in the bathroom or pantry.

If you need a mop for users, they will help you decide on the manufacturer. In any case, you should not buy too cheap products, the main parts of which are made of thin plastic. It is better to buy a mop in a specialized store. If the name of the manufacturer does not tell you anything, then ask the seller for a certificate that can attest to the quality of the product. All these parameters and features of the presented mop will help you choose the option that is right for you. Good luck!