Laminate flooring is an extremely popular option for many homeowners because it is extremely affordable and durable. However, there are some individuals that may make mistakes when cleaning these floors that can lead to irreparable damage to it. When this happens, the only way to correct the damage will be to replace the laminate, but there are a couple of tips you can follow to help ensure that your laminate flooring is safe from two of the more common causes of problems.

Avoid Mopping The Floor

Mopping is one of the more routine tasks that you will do for most of your floors, but many homeowners may not realize that mopping a laminate floor can result in sizable damages to it. The laminate is not completely impermeable to water, and this is necessary to allow the floor under the laminate to breathe, but this can also make it possible for moisture to pass through the laminate and into the wood. It is for this reason that you should generally avoid mopping your laminate floor unless it is absolutely necessary, and you should quickly dry it as soon as you are done. 

As opposed to mopping, it is generally a safer idea to use a slightly damp cloth to spot clean any dirty areas of the floor. This will allow you to better control the amount of water that comes into contact with the floor, but it should not negatively impact your ability to remove these stains and encrusted dirt. 

Avoid Using Abrasive Cleaning Devices

There may come a time when there is something that is almost impossible to remove from your laminate floor. Whether it is old chewing gum or sticky foods, you may attempt to use an abrasive cleaning device to remove these substances, but this can severely damage the floor. 

A safer option for removing these substances is to use an ice cube to freeze them. Once frozen, you should be able to use a spoon or another dull object to gently scrape the substance off the floor. While this can be a highly effective option, you will need to completely freeze the substance with the ice to get the most benefit from this approach. 

Cleaning your laminate floors can be a surprisingly difficult task because this flooring option is prone to some common forms of damage. By making it a point to avoid using a wet mop to clean it and learning to use ice to remove stubborn dirt and substances from the floor, you should be able to keep your laminate flooring looking great and damage free. For more information, contact a business such as McNamara's Flooring Studio.