How To Clean Wardrobe Laminates

Easy tips to maintain floors, cabinets & furniture.

From furniture to flooring, laminates are among the most widely used materials in interior decor. In these quick tips to clean laminate surfaces, we cover care and cleaning essentials so that you can keep them beautiful and make them last longer.

Today, laminated finishes are among the most preferred when it comes to furniture, flooring and wall panelling for your living room, bedroom, bathroom or kitchen. Available in a variety of colors and finishes, laminates are inexpensive, durable and also more resistant to heat, impact and stains when compared to more expensive materials. However, like any other material, laminate surfaces are prone to wear and tear due to constant use. Here are some pointers to help you maintain them .

General Tips :

While laminates can take a lot of wear and tear, they can get scratched by sharp objects. So take care not to use any sharp objects or abrasive materials such as steel scrubbers to clean them.

Laminates generally tend to fade with prolonged exposure to sunlight. Keep laminate furniture away from direct sunlight to prevent discoloration.

Moisture and dampness will damage laminate surfaces and cause warping. Protect floors and furniture from excess water, even while cleaning.

Laminate floors

Tips to clean laminate surfaces

Laminate floors look beautiful, but need to be cleaned regularly as dirt from shoes settle on them and make them dull. However, with the right mop, cleaning them is a breeze.There are also specialised solutions available for cleaning such floors.

A damp (not wet) microfiber mop will not only pick up all the dirt, it will also need less water, which is good, because too much exposure to water can warp the laminate flooring.

Do not use string mops or sponge mops as they will leave streaky marks and also need more water, which might seep into cracks and ruin the floor eventually.

It is also not advisable to polish or wax the flooring, as it is not real wood, after all.

Avoid strong chemical cleaners, bleach, steel wool or scouring pads – the floor will get discolored or scratched.

Furniture

Tips to clean laminate surfaces

Regular dusting with a soft cloth is the best way to keep the laminate surface of your furniture clean. For the purpose, use a microfiber cloth or your vacuum cleaner with a soft bristle brush attached to it . Avoid wet wiping – it will leave marks, and the moisture will warp the laminate.

Fingerprints on laminate can be removed with a soft dry cloth most of the times. For greasy fingerprints, try dampening the same cloth and dry the area soon after.

For any marks that are visible after dusting, use a soft sponge, slightly dampened. Avoid varnish, wax or polish for laminate furniture.

Even when you use a mild cleaning solution, avoid applying it to the surface directly- it may stain your furniture. Spray the solution on your cleaning mop or pad and clean with the damp pad.

Detergent based cleaners can also leave a dull film on your furniture. Never allow water or any solution to sit for long as the laminate may begin to peel off.

Use mats and coasters to protect furniture surfaces from stains, spills and excess heat.

Laminates in the kitchen

Tips to clean laminate surfaces

The shelves in kitchens, particularly Indian kitchens, pick up a lot of grime. However, regular cleaning can keep them sparkling clean and your kitchen hygienic.

Use a sponge and a solution of warm water and dish wash soap to get clean stubborn greasy spots. A plastic brush should work well for nooks and crannies. Do remember to dry the surface immediately.

Laminate is non porous, and so dirt and bacteria cannot accumulate on the surface directly, but accompanied by the oily fumes in the kitchen, dirt and bacteria can settle in the seams and corners. Cleaning these parts is important and warm soapy solutions are good for the purpose. Follow with proper rinsing and drying.

As with flooring, avoid hard scrubbers, dyes or strong chemical cleaners; they will leave scratches on the surface, leaving it prone to stains.

We hope these tips helped! You may also be interested in How to Clean Cabinet Hardware.

— editor@livspace.com