Seasonal Care Tips for Your Laminate Flooring

Laminate flooring is a fantastic choice for homes in the Grand Rapids, MI area, offering the beauty of natural wood or stone with exceptional durability and ease of maintenance. While laminate is built to withstand daily wear and tear, its longevity and pristine appearance can be significantly enhanced by adapting your laminate flooring care routine to the changing seasons. Just like your home’s exterior, your floors react to shifts in temperature and humidity. At DeGraaf Interiors, we believe that informed laminate floor protection is key to preserving your investment. Here’s our essential guide to seasonal laminate maintenance for your laminate floors, ensuring they look great year-round.

Why Seasonal Laminate Care Matters

Laminate flooring is constructed from multiple layers, including a wood-fiber core. While the top wear layer provides moisture resistance, the core can be affected by significant changes in humidity.

• Expansion and Contraction: Like natural wood, laminate can slightly expand and contract with changes in humidity. In dry conditions (winter), planks can shrink, potentially creating small gaps. In humid conditions (summer), they can expand. Proper installation leaves expansion gaps around the perimeter, but extreme fluctuations can still cause issues.
• Dirt and Moisture: Each season brings its unique set of challenges regarding the types of dirt and moisture tracked into your home. Adapting your laminate floor protection helps address these specific concerns.

Winter Laminate Care: Battling Dryness and Tracked-In Elements

Winter in Grand Rapids brings cold temperatures, dry indoor air (due to heating systems), and the inevitable tracking in of snow, slush, road salt, and de-icers. Your laminate flooring care needs to focus on managing moisture and grit.

1. Humidity Control:
   • Issue: Heating systems dry out indoor air, which can cause laminate planks to shrink, potentially leading to small gaps between boards.
   • Tip: Use a humidifier to maintain indoor humidity levels between 30% and 50%. This helps the laminate remain stable and reduces static electricity.
2. Increased Mat Use:
   • Issue: Snow, slush, road salt, and sand are constantly tracked in, acting as abrasives or causing moisture damage.
   • Tip: Place large, absorbent doormats inside and outside all entryways. Consider a boot tray to catch melting snow from winter boots. This is crucial for laminate floor protection during winter.
3. Prompt Spill/Melted Snow Cleanup:
   • Issue: Salt and de-icers can be corrosive, and melting snow introduces direct moisture.
   • Tip: Immediately wipe up any melted snow, salt residue, or spills with a clean, dry cloth. Do not let them sit. Follow with a damp (not wet) wipe with plain water or a manufacturer-approved cleaner, then dry thoroughly.
4. Gentle Cleaning:
   • Issue: Dry conditions can mean more static and clinging dust.
   • Tip: Increase the frequency of dry sweeping or vacuuming (with a hard floor attachment) to remove grit. For damp cleaning, use a very lightly dampened microfiber mop and a pH-neutral cleaner. Avoid excessive moisture.

Spring Laminate Care: Tackling Mud and Pollen

Spring brings rain, mud, and a surge in pollen and outdoor allergens. Your laminate floor care should focus on managing moisture and fine particles.

1. Mud Management:
   • Issue: Wet, muddy shoes and paws can easily track grime onto your floors.
   • Tip: Reinforce your entryway mat system. Encourage family members and guests to remove shoes at the door. If mud is tracked in, let it dry completely before sweeping/vacuuming, then damp mop the residue.
2. Pollen and Allergens:
   • Issue: Pollen, dust, and other allergens can accumulate on floors, impacting air quality.
   • Tip: Increase frequency of dry sweeping or vacuuming. Consider damp mopping more often with a suitable laminate cleaner to remove allergens that settle on the surface.
3. Check for Leaks:
   • Issue: Spring rains can highlight leaks around windows or doors.
   • Tip: Inspect around windows and doors for any signs of moisture, which could damage laminate. Address any leaks immediately.

Summer Laminate Care: Managing Humidity and Outdoor Activity

Summer in Grand Rapids means higher humidity, more outdoor activities, and potentially more spills from drinks and pool water.

1. Humidity Control:
   • Issue: High humidity can cause laminate planks to absorb moisture and slightly expand. While expansion gaps are built-in, extreme humidity can still be an issue.
   • Tip: If your home feels excessively humid, use a dehumidifier, especially in basements or lower levels. Maintain humidity between 30% and 50%.
2. Protect from Sun Fading:
   • Issue: While laminate is UV-resistant, prolonged exposure to intense direct sunlight can cause subtle fading or discoloration over many years.
   • Tip: Use curtains, blinds, or UV-filtering window films on windows that receive strong, direct sunlight to protect your laminate flooring.
3. Increased Cleaning for Bare Feet/Spills:
   • Issue: More bare feet mean natural oils and sweat can transfer to the floor, and outdoor activities lead to more tracked-in dirt.
   • Tip: Maintain a regular dry sweeping/vacuuming schedule. Be vigilant about immediately wiping up spilled drinks, especially sticky ones. Use a pH-neutral laminate cleaner for damp mopping.

Fall Laminate Care: Preparing for Winter and Addressing Leaves

Fall is a transitional season, bringing leaves, more rain, and dropping temperatures, signaling the need to prepare for winter.

1. Leaf and Debris Management:
   • Issue: Wet leaves can track in tannins that stain, and dry leaves can be abrasive.
   • Tip: Keep outdoor walkways clear of leaves. Continue with entryway mats. Sweep or vacuum frequently to prevent leaves and other fall debris from scratching the floor.
2. Prepare for Heating Season:
   • Issue: As temperatures drop, heating systems will be turned on, drying out the air.
   • Tip: Ensure your humidifiers are clean and ready for use. Begin to monitor indoor humidity levels.
3. Final Deep Clean:
   • Tip: Before the heavy winter season sets in, give your laminate flooring a thorough deep clean, ensuring all residues are removed, so it’s fresh and protected for the colder months.

Trust DeGraaf Interiors for Your Laminate Flooring Needs

Adapting your laminate flooring care to the changing seasons is a proactive and effective way to ensure your floors remain beautiful and durable for many years to come. From managing humidity in summer and winter to effectively battling tracked-in dirt and moisture, these seasonal laminate maintenance tips will provide optimal laminate floor protection for your Grand Rapids, MI home.

Since our establishment in 1993, DeGraaf Interiors has been a leading provider of quality flooring, exquisite countertops, and professional design services throughout the Grand Rapids, MI area. Our team of professionals continues to uphold a benchmark for dedicated assistance, helping individuals and families confidently shape their living environments. With a conveniently located showroom in Hudsonville, MI, and a flexible “Shop at Home” option, we proudly extend our comprehensive services across the surrounding regions. We encourage you to let our experienced team seamlessly guide you through the extensive selection of laminate flooring, helping you pinpoint the ideal choice. We’ll also provide all the expert insights necessary to keep your floors looking pristine, no matter the season. Get in touch via shop-at-home or visit us soon to begin your transformation!