Do’s and Don’ts of Laminates

How to get the most out of your laminate surfaces. Laminates are amongst the most preferred surfaces for furniture, walls and commercial spaces. Anti-fingerprint, germ-free, high gloss, solid surfaces make them the most sought-after choice as they are easy to maintain, budget-friendly, resistant to heat, damp, stains, and impact. It’s no wonder they are a popular choice in present-day interior design. However, laminates also need basic cleaning and maintenance as they too suffer the effects of the day-to-day grind of our lives and basic daily chores. Sometimes even more than other areas of our home and work lives as they often clad some of the most hardworking areas in our living quarters or commercial complexes.

Here are some basic methods of getting the best out of existing laminates and extending their longevity so you can enjoy them for years to come.

Use laminates specifically for the areas that they are designed for. Indoor floor laminates if left exposed to rain or damp will warp and dissolve while outdoor cladding is resistant to harsh weather and climate changes. Tougher laminates in solid surfaces are more versatile and easier to maintain in kitchens as compared to textured surfaces. Avoid using harsh metal scrubbers or brushes that could scratch the surface. Laminates are easy to keep clean and most often less is more. They do not require heavy washing or harsh detergents. Most are self-cleaning, preventive and resistant to bacteria or mould.

Furniture Maintenance

• Clean with a soft cloth to maintain shine and gloss and prevent scratches.
• Do not use very wet or damp cleaning materials as they often leave watermarks on furniture, especially glossy surfaces.
• Soapy mixtures also tend to leave a slight film on the surface making it look foggy or opaque and should be avoided on furniture. A dry cloth often works best for cleaning.
• Avoid leaving damp spots or spilled liquids near joints or bends in furniture. Such negligence can cause liquids to seep into joints and cause the laminate to warp or expand.

Laminates in the Kitchen

• Anti-fingerprint laminates are exclusively designed for clean kitchens. They don’t retain stains and greasy fingerprints and considerably reduce the amount of cleaning required to keep the area spotless.
• Soak a thick sponge soaked in warm water, squeeze out all extra water and clean counters to remove any stains or grease marks.

Use a clean wet cloth to wipe down cabinets.

• Kitchen surfaces get greasy on a regular basis or splashed and sprayed while cooking. A mild surface cleaner or even a mixture of dishwashing liquid dissolved in water and applied on a regular basis will keep the surface clean. Harsh detergents should be avoided as they can start eroding laminate surfaces if used on a regular basis.
• Don’t use countertops directly for cutting and chopping. This will prevent cuts and scrapes and maintain the original finish of the surface. Avoid placing extremely hot cooking pots and utensils directly onto the countertops as this could cause stains or burn marks especially on lighter surfaces.

Exterior Laminates

• Should be applied by skilled installers in order to get the best finish.

• Clean with a cloth or brush down regularly to prevent cobwebs and accumulation of dust layers. This also helps preserve the shine and texture of the external surfaces.

• Present-day laminates are stronger and tougher than ever before. They have continuously evolved, accommodating and catering to the needs of our current times. They’re stylish yet hard working. Strong yet elegant. Low maintenance yet high quality.

• Chances are that they are up to handling any grueling task that you put them through. However, if you do end up with scrapes and scratches there are laminate fillers that help erase these errors too. So, you can enjoy your laminates for years to come.

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