Can You Use a Steam Mop on Laminate Floors?

Everybody tries to use the most effective, easiest, and quickest method to do any task. This is natural, and that is why people want to use a steam mop on laminate floor, right? But can you use a steam mop on laminate floors, it is an important fact. If you want to know the straight answer, the short answer is No. But there also have many deciding factors that will determine whether you can use the steam mop on the laminate floor or not! In fact, it is really hard to give the answer to the question without discussing it in detail.

Don’t worry here we discuss all the facts about why you don’t use the steam mop on the other hand where you can use it. If you read the entire content, hopefully, you will get all the answers to different types of questions regarding this matter. So, don’t worry, just keep reading.

Laminate Floor, What Exactly It Is?

The upper surface of the laminate floor resembles hardwood or stone, and other pictures may show. But what remains in the inside, the same thing that you can see externally or other? However, the laminate floor is made up of fiberboard and melamine resin most of the time. Then the outer most layer is attached at the top of the floor that resembles either hardwood, marvel stone, or other pictures. The top layer is very clear, and it is protective. This layer resembles the underlying scenario.

The laminate floor is not too expensive, and at the same time, it is durable if proper care can be taken. On the other hand, it is also easy to install. Overall, every people love the laminate floor.

Primarily, the floor is sensitive to heat and water at the same time. If you allow some drops of water for a long time, the water might seep into the floor and may cause swell and wrap. On the other hand, too much heat on the laminate floor can cause damages to the floor. That is why you should know the proper way to clean the laminate floor.

How Does Steam Mop Work?

You are concern about the fact of whether you can use a steam map on the laminate floor or not, right? For a reason, it is necessary to know the basic mechanism of the steam mop. What do you think?

A steam mop requires electric power and water, nothing else. You should pour the water in the reservoir tank before using the mop. After switching on the mop, the heater heats up the water and converts the water to steam. That is why the machine is named steam mop. Then the vapor reaches the steam jets, and finally, the microfiber and dampened pads use the steam to clean the dirt on the floor. This is the basic mechanism. From this basic mechanism, we can learn the machine uses vapor, right? So, the steam mop cannot be used any floor that unsealed, right? Just keep it in mind.

Can You Use a Steam Mop on Laminate Floors?

If you read the entire content, hopefully, you will get clear answers to different types of questions regarding this matter. Here we discuss all the facts about why you don’t use the steam mop and where you should use it.

The Reasons for Not Using Steam Mop on Laminate Floor:

We have gathered enough knowledge. From the previous sections, we can decide why you should not use a steam mop on laminate floor. But I discuss the matter in detail. Just think about the following reason and take the decision whether the steam mop is appropriate for the laminate floor or not! And why!

Lose Shiny Appearance

You love the laminate floor, especially for the shiny appearance, right? The shine of the coating is also an exceptional beauty. If you clean the floor regularly with the steam mop, the steam will destroy the shine coating day by day. After a particular time, you see your floor becomes a dam, and the shine is gone permanently. Hopefully, you don’t want to lose the shine appearance of your laminate floor.

Destroy the Sealing Day by Day

You know, on a laminate floor, there have many joints, and the adhesive is also used to place different parts together. The temperature of the steam is very high, which is above 200 degrees F. It is the very high temperature for the laminate floor, and the temperature weakens the joints and adhesives. Day by day, the high temperature leads the laminate floor to be separated from the sheets.

At the same time, the high temperature of the steam weakens the sealant of the laminate floor. You know the laminate floor looks just like the real hardwood floor, but after weakening the sealant, it doesn’t look like the hardwood. Your laminate floor absorbs steam, and it gets wet day by day. Then the floor gets swelling, bending, warping, and in the end, you will get a dull and dam floor. You never expect anything bad with the laminate floor like this, right? If so, abstain from using a steam mop on the laminate floor.

Rot the Floor Eventually

As the steam mop produces steam and using it, the machine cleans the floor. The water seeps through the gaps and cracks while cleaning the laminate floor with the steam mop. And the water damages the laminate layer over time, and it also causes the hardwood picture to be damaged. The water will accumulate just under the laminate layer and produces the musty smell. If the condition continues, it also leads to mold growth, which is unexpected.

Break the Warranty

There are many companies that give warranty on the laminate floor. And they also state clearly that they will not be responsible for damaging the floor because of water. They also state that they are also not responsible for damaging the floor because of improper cleaning of the floor. Nobody wants to break the warranty of their beloved laminate floor using the steam mop.

The Best Way to Clean Laminate Floors

Before going to find out the best way to clean the laminate floor, you should know whether the floor is sealed or unsealed! After confirming the fact, you can go for the best cleaning method.

Some of the renowned laminate floor manufacturers such as Armstrong, Shaw, and Mannington Mills advise cleaning the laminate floor following the best methods. They also give the following advice to the laminate floor users.

First of all, they said to avoid steam clear as the steam clear damages the floor eventually. So, stem mop is not ideal for cleaning the laminate floor.

Secondly, blot up all oily and greasy substances just after appearing on the laminate floor. You can use a damp cloth to blot up the spills.

Thirdly, hard spots, and tough stains are not removed from the floor easily. For that, use acetone to remove the hard and tough spots.

Then, Try to keep clean the laminate floor as possible. Always sweep the floor so that the loose dirt and debris have not stayed for a long time.

To use the vacuum cleaner, always abstain from using the beater bar rather than use hard floor attachment.

How to Tell if the Laminate Floor of Seale or Not

The sealed laminate floors always have a water protective coating at the top. Most of the time, it is clear and shiny also. And you cannot feel any gap between the sheets, not even the tiny gap. For the floor, the regular microfiber mop is ideal for cleaning. You can also add the highly effective homemade floor cleaning solution to remove dirt and stains effectively.

The unsealed laminate floors are not shiny like the sealed floor. If you want to use the steam mop on the sealed laminate floor, ensure the mop is set in a low-temperature setting. The low temperature will prevent potential damage. But the best is not to use the steam mop on the laminate surface.

Conclusion

Can you use a steam mop on laminate floors we have all the answer to the question now? In the end, I want to say though you can use the steam mop on the sealed laminate floor, it is best not to use the steam mop after all. But if you cannot think without the steam mop, always use with care and ensure the temperature setting is low. Never allow standing of splashes or drops of water on the laminate floor. I hope you have got all the answers to the laminate floor and steam mop. Not yet? Just leave a comment on your query.