Laminate flooring

Myjokejan

We have just moved into a retirement apartment which has laminate flooring but also underfloor heating. I'm looking for a suitable product to clean this flooring which is throughout the flat. Don't need anything to make it shiny just want to keep it clean, but obviously can't use anything that makes the floor wet. Suggestions appreciated.

Emmia

A vacuum and a rubber broom is what I use on our floors.

maman

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81862995#Comment_81862995

I'd agree with that for everyday cleaning but a Flash Speed mop is good for cleaning in kitchen or when you want to remove msrks. It's like a wet wipe so just cleans the surface and won't saturate the floors.

MysteryMe

I use a Shark steamer on mine, it does not leave water on the floor and good at removing dirt and stains

WIAWSNB

Is there any way to find out the manufacturer of the flooring, and the exact type? Who installed it?

These is a huge variety of types and qualities. Some are waterproof, others not, and everything in between.

Most - all - will certainly cope with a 'damp' cloth for cleaning with the recommended product, and 'wet' just doesn't have to be done - and should be avoided as it can get in between the boards and sit under them. Not t'end, but not ideal.

But, the vast majority - if not all - should be able to at least cope with spills, provided it's mopped up. Some are 24-hour tolerant.

Photos? Close-ups? Any spare boards? Anything to indicate board thickness? Any movement - springiness? Is it floating or glued down?

Do they have 'grooves' in between them to copy a real wood floor look? Does the (presumed) wood also have a textured wood grain? Do the two actually match? That sort of stuff can indicate 'quality' to some degree.

There is even an SPC-type board which is made from composite material and is 'completely' waterproof. Often ID'd by being so heavily textured you can feel it underfoot.

QrizB

Ive got laminate flooring in my kitchen. 20 years old now and in fairly good condition despite being Flash'd and mopped on a semi regular basis.

The only place it's showing water damage is where the plumbing leaked and got underneath the floor, but that was very different to the sort of wetness it gets with normal cleaning.

Albermarle

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6652991/laminate-flooring

 but obviously can't use anything that makes the floor wet

Is that because you do not want to slip on it ( sensible) or because you think it will affect the underfloor heating in some way?

Is the underfloor heating a wet system, fed from a central heating boiler, or electric ?

maman

There's a big difference between old school mopping and the equivalent of damp dusting with the current wet mops. The latter will be fine on laminate as would taking a cloth to any marks and spills.