If you’re planning on getting new floors for your home, you might feel extremely overwhelmed with the number of options that are available today. Gone are the days when the only options you had were wood, marble, and tiles. Today, there are numerous options, some derivatives of wood while others are fully synthetic. The best thing about these flooring options is that you can find a flooring variety on absolutely any budget. So, no matter what your budget is, you can still get new floors.
Two of the most popular flooring options are vinyl and laminate. Both of these are equally attractive and beautiful and give your home a modern look. Both are cheaper than wood and marble. However, it takes a bit of an effort from your end to keep vinyl and laminate floors looking as good as new.
If you’re considering getting vinyl or laminate floors, you may want to know if these floor options are high or low-maintenance. Also, it won’t hurt if you know tips and tricks for cleaning vinyl and laminate flooring. It would only help you make a more informed decision.
Vinyl Vs. Laminate Floors – What’s A Better Option?
Before you can make up your mind, you might want to know the differences between the two flooring options and which of the two is a better option for your home. Both are highly durable, affordable, and customizable, but which one’s better?
Vinyl flooring is made of synthetic materials. It enhances the water-resistance of your floor and is highly durable. On the other hand, laminate floor is an alternative to hardwood and resembles real wood. While laminate floors look more aesthetically appealing due to their close resemblance to wood, the water-resistance of laminate flooring is quite poor.
The vinyl floor has superior water resistance. If you’ve got children and pets at home where chances of liquid spills are high, you should opt for vinyl flooring. However, if you’re looking for a more sophisticated and realistic wood-like look, laminate flooring is what you should go with.
Cleaning Vinyl Flooring
- Clean The Floors Everyday
The best thing about vinyl floors is that simple vacuuming and mopping is more than enough to keep them looking clean and as good as new. If you clean the floor with a broom and mop on a regular basis, you won’t have to put in any extra effort. The key is simple – clean the floors on a day-to-day basis.
- Use Mild Cleaning Agents Once A Week
Clean your vinyl floors with regular, mild cleaning agents. You don’t need any specific cleaning agents for vinyl floors. Cleaning the floors with warm water and a cleaning agent once a week is good enough!
- Treat Stains Immediately
Another trick to keep your vinyl floors looking great is to treat the stains immediately. Damp a nylon pad with a mild detergent and scrub the stain lightly. Use clean water to rinse the stained area and then wipe it off clean with a soft, dry fabric.
- Clean Ink Stains With Spirit
In case you dropped ink on your vinyl floor, you need not worry. You can clean ink stains from the vinyl floor by pouring dilute spirit directly over the stain. Leave it for a few minutes, scrub it lightly, and rinse the floor with water.
Cleaning Laminate Flooring
Cleaning and maintaining laminate flooring is simple, straightforward, and hassle-free. Laminate floors usually have a top coating that is resistant to stains and scratches. They resemble wood and naturally, look more attractive and sophisticated. Below are some tips and tricks for cleaning laminate flooring:
- Clean Spills Right Away
If there’s a spill on your laminate floor, you should make sure you clean it right away. If you let any liquids stand on laminate floors, it may result in the formation of rigid stains and more widespread damage.
- Scrub Stains Gently
Never spray a cleaning agent directly onto the laminate floor. Damp a soft, microfiber cloth with a small amount of cleaning agent and scrub the stain gently.
Use Acetone to Get Rid of Rubber and Heel Marks
Rubber and heel marks can be quite prominent on laminate floors. However, you need not worry because they can be cleaned and that too quite easily. Simply rub the marks using acetone and a dry cloth, and you’re good to go! Acetone also works for ink stains.
- Use A Scrapper To Remove Sticky Debris
If there’s chewing gum or dried wax on your laminate floor, don’t try to scrub it off before it dries. It might just make your floors look dirtier. Allow these sticky materials to dry out completely. Once dry, use a scraper to remove this dried debris.
- Clean Floors Regularly
One of the most basic tricks to have your laminate floors look as good as new is regularly cleaning the floors. Don’t wait for the floors to start looking dirty before you clean them. Simple broom and mop your laminate floors every day and save yourself the deep cleaning hassle!
Both vinyl and laminate floors are quite easy to maintain, which is why they’re so popular among homeowners today. To keep your vinyl and laminate floors in absolutely great shape, all you need to do is sweep and mop every day. While it may sound like too much work, it really isn’t.
If you’re looking for affordable and low-maintenance flooring options, both vinyl and laminate are great options. You don’t have to worry about having to spend your money on expensive cleaning agents or hiring professional cleaning services to restore the shine and luster of vinyl and laminate floors. It’s something you can do yourself!
