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One of the great advantages that laminate flooring has over other types of flooring is how easy it is to keep clean. Once installed, the after care that laminate flooring requires is very little and extremely simple, and if it is carried out regularly, your floor can be kept looking like new for many years to come.

Generally speaking a simply brush over with a soft headed brush or a very slightly damp mop, is all that is needed when cleaning laminate flooring. Follow this with the use of a vacuum cleaner around the edges of the room, and also around any larger pieces of furniture that cannot be moved, and that is all that is generally required.

Special cleaning pads are available which look very much like a mop, and have replaceable wipes that wrap around the pad which attracts the dust, etc. These make cleaning laminate flooring even easier but can become expensive.

When using a damp mop to clean the laminate, do not use to much water. Make sure you only use enough water to make the mop damp so that it holds the dust, etc., do not soak the floor, as this could cause the edges of the laminate boards to start to expand and the whole floor may start to buckle.

For stain removal, do not use a strong detergent. Firstly, try using just warm water, but again, only use enough for removal of the stain in the small local area. In other words ' don't over-wet the area. If this doesn't seem to work then try using a mild, non-abrasive cleaner. For cleaning of larger stains, etc. on laminate flooring, use a mop with ammonia or a mixture of water and vinegar.

Where ever possible try to use citrus-based cleaners, and not the conventional soap-based cleaners. When trying a cleaning product for the first time always test on an area of laminate flooring that is out of sight, such as under the cooker or fridge for example. Once you've tested the new product, leave this small area for 30 minute's just to be certain that there are no adverse effects to the laminate surface.

When trying to clean laminate flooring do not use steel wool, sand paper, or scouring powder on the laminate surface, as these will quickly break down the laminate and lead to very early failure of the flooring. Also never try to sand, wax, or apply lacquer to the laminate flooring.

Try to always use a door mat at every exterior doorway. This will help to trap any dirt etc., and also trap small stones and grit which may easily scratch the surface of your laminate flooring. To avoid any marks that could potentially be left by furniture, always use felt pads under the furniture legs, or castor cups under any furniture wheels.

Always read the manufacturer's "care" instructions that come with your flooring, and adhere to them. It is important that the correct installation and after care procedure's are followed so that any manufacturer warranties are valid.

By following the manufacturer's instructions and these supplementary tips on cleaning laminate flooring, your floor should look as good as the day it was installed, for many years to come.