Laminate floors, increasingly popular for both household and commercial applications, have the look of expensive hardwood even though they are manufactured of various materials. An idea that was imported to the USA from Europe, the product typically comes in lengths to resemble lumber, or in parquet blocks. It recreates the look and durability of real hardwood flooring without the expense.Bellow you can find some ideas...
- Mix 1/2 cup distilled white vinegar in 1 gallon of water. If a vegetable oil polish has ever been used on the floor, double the amount of vinegar.
- Do not replace the vegetable oil cleaner after cleaning the floor; the residue they leave on wood can break down the sealant over time.
- Some manufacturers recommend cleaning with ammonia; vinegar works just as well without as much potential of damaging the sealant. Water is also slightly alkaline, so it can leave damaging water spots on your wood floors unless you neutralize the water with vinegar. Some suggest adding a third of a cup of rubbing alcohol to this mixture, presumably to inhibit streaking.
- Dampen an old towel in the mixture and wring out all the excess moisture.
- Wrap the towel around the sponge mop head. Moisture can more easily and completely be wrung out of the mop than it can from the sponge. Self-wringing mops can leave excess water on the floor. The moisture then works its way between the parquet blocks, warping their edges.
- If you want something a little more high tech than an old towel, building supply stores sell terry mop covers that are attached by elastic to sponge mop heads or Swiffers. The Swiffer Wet Jet mop system includes a floor cleaning solution. (There is also a product that consists of a package of wet cloths containing vinegar and water; these attach to Swiffer mops and can also be used on wood floors.)
- It is not necessary to rinse.
- Dry the floor if needed with another, dry towel.
A variation on this process consists of substituting plain, hot water for the vinegar-water mixture.
Tools and Supplies:
- Vacuum cleaner
- Dust mop
- Sponge mop
- Old towel
- White vinegar
- Water
- Bucket