Deep cleaning of laminate floors is necessary to maintain their shine and increase their life. You can clean your floor in multiple ways, and steam mopping is one of them. But if your floor is not waterproof, then a question arises; can you use a steam mop on a non-waterproof laminate floor? The straight answer to this question is NO! I do not recommend you to steam mop your laminated floor if it is not waterproof.
Steam mops release moisture, and if a non-waterproof floor absorbs this moisture, it gets damaged. After exposure to moisture, the laminate floor swells and eventually starts to collapse. So, it’s better to avoid steam mopping over laminate floors that are not waterproof. You can use alternative ways of cleaning such floors.
How to Clean Laminate Floors That Are Not Waterproof?
Wrong methods of cleaning your non-waterproof laminate floors cause irreversible damage. If you use water for cleaning these floors, they will lift upward, and permanent damage will occur. There are alternative ways of cleaning the non-waterproof laminated floors.
Use Microfiber Mop
You should use dry mops instead of a steam mop on non-waterproof floors. The best mop for laminated non-waterproof floors is a microfiber mop. A microfiber mop attracts dirt, dust, and hair through static electricity when dry. A wet microfiber mop can absorb spills from the floor. So, you can use this mop on your laminated floors. Gently clean your floors with a microfiber mop by a steady back and forth motion.
Homemade Cleaning Solution
Chemical floor cleaners sometimes ruin the surface of your laminated floor. You can make your own homemade cleaning solution instead of a chemical cleaner. To make this cleaning solution, you have to mix one part of vinegar and three parts of water. Add one teaspoon of a dish liquid to this solution and mix it well. Add this cleaning solution to a spray bottle.
After making the cleaning solution, vacuum the floor first to clean the dirt and debris from it. Now spray your homemade cleaning solution in a small amount over the microfiber mop. Clean your floor with a gentle mopping. Make sure you are overlapping your mopping pattern for a thorough clean-up. Drain your mop if it has too much moisture because it can damage the non-waterproof floor.
If You Must Use Steam Mop
If you have only one option to clean your laminated floor and you have to use a steam mop, then you should be very careful. Do not let your steam mop settle into one area; otherwise, the moisture will be entering in between the floor planks. Moisture will ruin your laminate floor, especially if it is non-laminated. After steam mopping, immediately dry your floor and make sure that no moisture will remain on the floors. But still, I do not recommend you to use steam mopping over the non-waterproof laminated floor.
Also Read: Can you use steam cleaner on vinyl floor?
Final Words
Steam mops are not suitable for non-waterproof laminated floors. The moisture can damage the laminated floor, so; you must follow alternate cleaning techniques. I hope you find this guide helpful in this regard.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why is dry mopping best for non-waterproof laminated floors?
A dry mop is best to clean non-waterproof floors because it doesn’t use water for cleaning. It attracts and removes dirt, debris, and dust from the floor through static electricity.
2. On which floors steam mopping must not be used?
You shouldn’t use a steam mop over laminate floors, especially if they are made up of fiberboard. Heat can damage the fiberboard upper surface, and your entire floor will be ruined slowly. Besides this, the linoleum floor should also not be steam mopped as it is porous and susceptible to moisture issues. Overall, any floor which is not waterproof must not be cleaned through steam mopping.
3. Is Shark steam mop safe for laminate floors?
A shark steam mop is entirely safe to use on laminate floors if you use it by following the proper procedures and settings. You can also use it over non-waterproof floors but with extreme care and immediate drying of the floor after cleaning.
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