Discover the proper way to clean and maintain your rubber laminate floor
Thanks to its many benefits, rubber laminate flooring has been growing in popularity in both homes and businesses. Rubber backed flooring is highly durable, cost-effective and environmentally friendly, making it an ideal choice for many customers. But if you decide to install rubber laminate flooring, you’ll need to know how to care for it. Luckily, Floor Coverings International’s guide to cleaning and maintaining rubber laminate flooring is all you’ll need to start caring for your floor.
Daily Maintenance of Rubber Backed Flooring
After your rubber laminate flooring installation is complete, you’ll need to begin regularly maintaining your floor. Proper maintenance will maximize the life of your rubber laminate flooring, so it’s important to make sure you’re taking the appropriate steps on a regular basis. Rubber backed flooring that is properly cared for has a life cycle of over 20 years. Dirt and debris are the most common issues you’ll need to address, whether you have indoor or outdoor rubber flooring. If not properly removed, dirt and dust specks can cause long-term damage to your floor, potentially wearing down the finish. To avoid this, simply sweep or vacuum your rubber laminate flooring regularly. You can also mitigate potential debris problems by placing rugs or mats at the entrances and exits of each room. This will catch a lot of dirt and debris before it ever makes contact with your floor.
Cleaning Rubber Laminate Flooring
One advantage of rubber backed flooring is its resistance to stains. Even so, you may find a persistent stain in your rubber laminate floor from time to time that requires special attention. In these cases, it’s important to know the safest and most effective cleaning techniques to use on your floor. The easiest way to clean your rubber backed flooring is to use a wet mop. This will easily remove most stains. As you do this, keep in mind the cleaning solution you choose to use. You can create a safe, natural cleaning solution at home using these ingredients:
- A gallon of water
- A cup of white vinegar
- A few drops of lemon juice
- A few drops of essential oil for fragrance
If you don’t have vinegar, you can use a mild dish soap instead. If the stain is particularly persistent, you can increase the concentration of vinegar or dish soap for a more potent cleaning solution. If you use a hand brush to apply the solution, be sure to apply using only moderate pressure, as too much pressure could result in damage to your rubber laminate floor.
What to Avoid With Rubber Laminate Flooring
An important part of caring for your floor is knowing what to avoid. Rubber laminate flooring is sensitive to certain cleaning solutions and techniques that should never be applied to the floor. Avoid cleaning solutions that have any of the following chemicals:
- Acidic base
- Acetone
- Petroleum
- Turpentine
Although these chemicals will appear in certain flooring cleaners, they should never be applied to rubber laminate flooring. Cleaners with these chemicals can irreversibly damage the chemical composition of your floor and result in permanent stains. Instead of these cleaners, opt for a natural alternative like the cleaning solution mentioned above. Certain cleaning tools should be avoided as well, as they can cause long-lasting damage to your floor. To further protect your rubber backed floor, avoid:
- High-speed burnishers
- Scouring pads
- Steel wool sponges
- Any buffing machine that operates at over 350 revolutions-per-minute
High-speed burnishers can cause burning or melting, while scouring pads, steel wool and high-speed buffing machines can cause slicing or scarring. The best thing to do is stick to the cleaning and maintenance tips above to avoid damaging your floor. If you follow this guide, your rubber laminate flooring will remain reliable and beautiful for years to come. For more information or to schedule a consultation, contact Floor Coverings International today!
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