http://www.psjanitorial.com/floor-machines-new-s/2201.htm | Not all floors are made the same and each type of flooring has different needs in terms of care. For laminate flooring, follow this presentation’s guidelines to get a clean floor you can be proud of.

1. A How-To Guide On
Caring For Laminate Flooring

2. Benefits of Laminate Flooring
The choice you make in flooring will determine how
long it will last, how much time it takes to care for it,
and the expense associated with the installation.
Due to the beauty of laminate flooring, it is becoming a
more popular choice in flooring material for new
construction and renovations of homes and businesses.
Some of the benefits of laminate flooring include:
• Ease of installation
• Virtually maintenance-free
• Maintains good looks with minimal care
• More cost-effective than hardwood

3. Better Care = Longer Wear
• Keeping your laminate flooring clean is the simplest way to extend its life and
keep it looking beautiful.
• Caring for laminate is simple and doesn’t require a big time investment.
• Although no special equipment is required, commercial floor sweepers will save
time and do a more thorough job of removing dirt on larger surface areas.
• Damp mopping is an appropriate method of cleaning floors of dust and pet hair.

4. Cleaning Heavy Traffic Areas
Areas where there are larger volumes or traffic or
where there is exposure to greasy residues can result in
heavier soiled areas on your laminate floor.
To clean these areas:
• Use a sponge dampened with water and clean
using moderate pressure.
• For large areas, use a special machine like a Clarke
floor scrubber to remove dirt and grime that gets
tracked in and embedded in the floor’s surface.
• Detergent-based cleaners are never needed.

5. Easy Care Means Less Damage
Other kinds of flooring require scrubbing and strong cleaning products to keep them clean.
Cleaning products that contain harsh chemicals or which are abrasive can damage floors by:
• Discoloring the finish
• Scratch the surface
• Causing clouding
The simplicity in the way laminate flooring can be cleaned prevents damage from occurring
as the result of normal dirt exposure and from harsh cleaners and methods.

6. Protecting Laminate from
Damage from Furniture
Both homes and businesses use furniture and heavy equipment that can cause
indentations, scratches or gouges with repeated exposure or movement across
the floor. To prevent these types of damage from occurring:
• Always place felt pads or casters between the furniture or equipment and
the surface of the floor.
• When moving objects, always lift them instead of sliding them across the
laminate flooring.
• Use touch-up kits to repair scratches when they do occur so that the
damage does not continue to worsen with additional wear to the area.
Also, follow any specific instructions provided by the manufacturer that might
differ for your type of laminate flooring.

7. Keep Laminate Floor Cleaning
Costs Under Control
• Limit cleaners to those made specifically for cleaning laminate floors. Avoid those with
oil, wax or paste to prevent buildup that will have to be professionally removed.
• Clean floors frequently, especially in high traffic areas. Grit and grime carried in on
shoes can cause scratches that ruin the finish and have to be repaired or replaced.
• For large areas that require regular sweeping, purchase a good quality refurbished floor
sweeper that does the job without costing a lot.
• Clean up spills immediately before they can turn into stains and never let water pool on
the floor.

8. Natural vs. Green
The word “natural” is synonymous with “harmless” to many people when, in reality,
some of the natural ingredients people use to make their own cleaners can be too harsh.
The homemade natural cleaners you use to clean with are not the same as the green
cleaners made specifically for this purpose.
Even ingredients that you find in your kitchen pantry can be too harsh or just wrong for
the type of finish on your flooring. Green products, on the other hand, are non-toxic and
safe for the environment while also being formulated to get the finish on laminate
flooring clean without doing any damage, even with repeated use.
Vinegar is acidic and can eat away at the floor’s finish with repeated use, especially
when applied at full- or near full-strength. Even when mixed at a vinegar-to-water ratio
of 1 to 3, the mixture can cause the floor to streak and become dull.
Lemon is another acidic product that is often used in cleaners as much for the fresh
scent as its cleaning ability.

9. Basics of Laminate Floor Care
• Regular sweeping to keep dirt off of the floor is the single most important
step in keeping the floor clean and new-looking.
• Use mats at doorways to reduce the amount of dirt and grime tracked in.
• Limit cleaners to those that are made specifically for laminate flooring and
which are “green” so they are safe for your flooring, family and the
environment.

10. About PS Janitorial
At Performance Systems Janitorial Supply, we supply high quality, refurbished janitorial
machines that are reliable and made by top manufacturers. Our variety of Clarke, Tomcat
and Tenant floor scrubbers and sweepers make it easy for businesses on a budget to get
the quality equipment they need to keep their business looking its best.
We also sell new floor machines and parts in addition to providing repairs and rentals to
make maintaining your floors as easy and cost-efficient as possible. Visit Performance
Systems Janitorial Supply online for more information or call us at 1-800-747-5096 to ask
about any of our products or services.

11. Sources
http://floorbuffers.wordpress.com/2011/07/08/care-for-laminate-flooring/
http://www.rd.com/home/cleaning-organizing/10-tips-for-stopping-dirt-at-the-door/

12. Summary
Sweeping loose dirt and dust from your laminate floor
regularly is the most important step towards keeping your
flooring clean and new-looking. A refurbished floor
sweeper is a cost-effective way for businesses with large
floor surfaces to provide the appropriate maintenance for
their laminate floors. Water or specially formulated green
laminate floor cleaners are the only liquids that should be
applied to laminate flooring.