The Best Vacuum For Laminate Floors | Best 4 Your Home
Are you wondering what the best type of vacuum for laminate floors is? Then you’ve come to the right place. Many homeowners are deciding to remove carpeting from their homes and replacing it with hardwood, tile, or laminate flooring. Some say hard surfaces are easier to keep clean than carpet, especially if you have pets or kids. Some switch to hard surfaces because they say their allergies improve with the change. Others switch because they prefer the look of hardwood or laminate floors rather than carpet. Regardless of your reasoning, now that you have hard surface floors, how are you going to keep them clean? What is the best type of vacuum cleaner for laminate floors?
Our Favorite Vacuums for Laminate Floors
Whether robot vacuums are your latest obsession or whether you prefer canister vacuums or good old uprights, read on to see how the different styles of vacuums will perform on your laminate floors.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]
1. Eufy Boost IQ Robovac
Eufy makes many different models of robot vacuums including this one, the Eufy Boost IQ Robovac. This version is the 11S (S meaning slim.) Digital Trends Magazine named this device the Best Robot Vacuum of 2018.
Are you new to the world of robot vacuums? Here’s how they work. Press the button on top of your Eufy unit. The vacuum travels over your floors, sucking up dirt and small debris using 1300 Pa of suction. (Pa is a Pascal Pressure Unit.) As the vacuum moves throughout your room, it may gently bump into your furniture and then either go underneath the piece or head a different direction. Although the unit can be programmed to maneuver a variety of ways through your room, the default is a random pattern.
Do you have stairs? No worry. The Eufy products can sense stairs and will head in a different direction. Eufy also can make the transition from hard surface flooring to medium pile carpet.
After running for approximately 100 minutes, the Eufy attempts to find its charging unit. Ideally, it reconnects to the charging station, where it waits to be activated again. Sometimes, you will find your vacuum with a dead battery because it was not able to find its home. Other times, you will have to go in search of the vacuum to see where it became stuck.
This particular vacuum is the slimmest Eufy model available. At only 2.85 inches tall, the unit is able to slide under many couches and chairs to retrieve hard-to-reach dirt and hair. (If the Eufy does get stuck under a piece of furniture, it will alert you with a series of beeps. If you are unable to retrieve the device, it will eventually fall asleep.)
The RoboVac 11S ‘s dirt collection receptacle holds 0.6 L of debris. As the vacuum tends to run 100 minutes before returning to its charging station, this receptacle is plenty big to catch the waste from an almost two-hour vacuuming session. (The 100-minute run time is for hard surface floors only. If you use it on carpet, Eufy runs for approximately 60 minutes before needing to be re-charged. Running the unit on carpet requires more suction, and thus it uses more energy.
While you may not like the idea of a vacuum running for two hours in your home, the Eufy models are much quieter than a traditional unit. Running at 55 decibels, you’ll hardly notice the machine running, even when you are in the same room. This is the same loudness as conversational speech.
Before purchasing a robot vacuum, it is important to look at how the specific unit performs on a variety of surfaces. While most robot vacuums perform efficiently on laminate floors, some robots may find it difficult making a transition between carpet and hard floors. Look at the reviews on the product you are interested in if this is your situation. This Eufy unit makes the transition between medium ply carpet and laminate with ease.
If you order the Eufy on Amazon, you will also receive a remote control (with 2 AAA batteries included), a charging base, the power adapter, a cleaning tool, an extra set of filters, four side brushes, five cable ties (for keeping your cords out of the way), and a 12-month warranty.
Top Related Article: Best Vacuum for Allergies[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]
2. Kenmore Bagged Canister Vacuum with Pet PowerMate
Buy Kenmore Bagged Canister Vacuum with Pet PowerMate
The next vacuum that works great on laminate floors is the Kenmore Bagged Canister Vacuum with Pet PowerMate. This vacuum has a two-motor system, but there doesn’t seem to be any mention of the suction the unit provides.
The canister-style vacuum takes a bit of getting used to for someone who has never used this style before. The benefit of using a canister is that you are able to lift the hose and brush high into the air to suck dirt off a variety of surfaces other than the floor. For traditional vacuuming, the heavier piece sits in the middle of the floor while you push the light-weight hose and brush around the room. The dirt and debris are collected inside the base unit.
The Kenmore vacuum comes with two floor nozzles that attach to the canister. One is the Kenmore Pop-n-Go bare floor brush system. This vacuum head allows users to glide over bare floors, picking up every crumb and dog hair in sight. The other brush that can be attached to the hose is the motorized pet brush. The pet brush and other cleaning tools are stored in the unit itself.
While canister vacuums may be tricky to use, especially for people not used to this style, this vacuum’s telescoping wand makes it easy to clean upholstery, ceiling fans, and other high spaces.
The Kenmore vacuum’s cord length is 28 feet. The cord is retractable.
The canister uses what Amazon lists as HEMPA bags, but that is probably a typo for HEPA. HEPA filters keep those nasty allergens from entering your airspace.
There are several other models of Kenmore vacuums listed on this same Amazon page. This Pop-N-Go vacuum has a stair grip, the integrated bare floor nozzle, the crevice tool and dusting brush, and the powered pet attachment. This model does not have headlights and swivel steering or a fan cleaning tool. It also does not have a dirt sensor, and it is not capable of vacuuming ultra plush carpet.
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3. Eufy Boost IQ Robovac 30
Are you considering purchasing a robot vacuum? Here’s another one of the best vacuums for laminate floors. Made by the same company as the previous robot vacuum, this vacuum includes a thirteen-foot boundary strip to keep your unit from going where you don’t want it to go.
This vacuum has a bit more sucking power than the last Eufy model. The last one operated with 1300 Pa while this model uses 1500. The RoboVac 30 vacuums your hard surfaces for up to 100 minutes at a time, just like the previous model. Eufy vacuums run quietly. In fact, the product information says the vacuum is no louder than a regular conversation or an operating microwave. Clearly, the people who used those descriptions have never spent time at my house. Our conversations always end up being louder than a microwave.
Besides coming with a 12-month warranty, the product also comes with a remote control (with two AAA batteries included), charging base, a power adapter, a cleaning tool, an extra set of filters, two side brushes (plus two extras in case of damage), and five cable ties to secure your drapery cords and electrical cords so they don’t get in the way of your robot.
The only other difference between the Eufy RoboVac and the last Eufy unit is that the vacuum runs with more suction for this unit, and you will also get a thirteen-foot boundary strip, which keeps your robot from heading into a location where he will surely get into trouble. For example, the robot may consistently get stuck under one particular piece of furniture in your house. The boundary strip will keep your robot from getting stuck so it can spend most of its battery life actually cleaning.
The Eufy RoboVac 30 cannot connect to your Wi-Fi (What is this, the dark ages? What do you mean that I can’t connect with my vacuum from my computer?) You also may not use Amazon Alexa to control your vacuum. If you need those capabilities, purchase the Eufy RoboVac 30C. If you stick with the RoboVac 30, you will be able to tell your grandchildren exciting stories about how you had to use a remote to start your vacuum instead of speaking to it. I’m sure they will be amazed that you survived after so much hardship.
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4. iRobot Braava 380t Robot Mop
Buy iRobot Braava 380t Robot Mop
Yet another best vacuum for laminate floors is the iRobot Braava 380t Robot Mop. Hold onto your seats, folks. You won’t believe what they made next… this option has an added surprise.
We have known about robot vacuums for years, but did you know you can purchase a robot to mop your floors as well? All we need is a suitcase car, and we will practically be living like George and June Jetson.
The iRobot Braava can be used to sweep or mop your bare floors. This unit does not act as a vacuum; it works more like a dust mop. Before using the sweep setting, place either a disposable cleaning cloth or a reusable microfiber cloth on the bottom of the robot. As this cloth is pushed across the surface of your hard floor, the dirt and debris will be collected in the fibers of the cloth. During the seeping mode, the Braava moves in straight lines throughout your room, much like someone would push a large push mop. When the unit is finished, the cloth can be thrown away or washed.
Before using the mop setting, add some sort of solution or plain tap water into the robot’s reservoir. Next, add a clean disposable or reusable microfiber cloth to the bottom of the unit. During the mopping cycle, the unit will move in a back and forth motion, similar as you would run a traditional mop over the surface of the floor.
One of the amazing functions of the Braava is that it comes with a Northstar Navigation unit. This unit sits near the Braava as it functions and helps the sweeper to know where to go. It learns the floor map of your house and becomes more efficient over time. The navigation unit keeps track of where the unit has gone and where it still needs to go. The navigation guarantees that your unit won’t miss a spot.
Much like the Eufy, the iRobot is relatively slim. It is only 3.1 inches tall so it can fit under most furniture. How well you will sleep knowing no large dust bunnies are hiding under your bed, contaminating your air.
The iRobot unit also promises to be quiet and will work on tile, vinyl, hardwood, and laminate floors.
Those with large homes may consider purchasing an additional navigation unit. Buying an additional Northstar Navigation unit will allow your sweeper to travel farther and cover a larger surface area.
The iRobot Braava charges in two hours. It sweeps 1,000 square feet or mops up to 350 square feet in a single cleaning cycle.
The item weights four pounds and measures 9.6 inches by 8.5 inches by 3.1 inches.
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5. Hoover Hardwood Floor Cleaner
Buy Hoover Hardwood Floor Cleaner
Think of this best vacuum for laminate floors as more of the ultimate hard floor cleaning machine for post-vacuuming. The Hoover does not work as a vacuum, so users will still need to sweep dirt, debris, and hair off the floor. After the solid waste is off the floor, the user runs this device over the hard floors and the brushes and cleaning solution work to wash the surface of the floors.
The Hoover unit is safe to use on sealed wood, vinyl, tile, and grout. Using any liquid cleaning product is not suitable for wood that is not sealed.
Switch between two modes on this Hoover product. The first mode is the Wash/Dry mode. Liquid cleaner squirts out on the surface of the floor as brushes scrub the caked-on debris. At the same time, the excess water is suctioned back up into the machine. The clean water is stored separate from the dirty water, so you never put dirty water back onto your floor. Washing a floor with dirty water leaves a cloudy floor.
When set to dry mode, the Hoover’s brushes do not function. Excess water is sucked up into the machine, which improves your floor’s drying time. It is not mentioned, but the dry mode could be used to clean up spills.
Oddly enough, the Hoover comes in two configurations. You can purchase it with a foldable handle, which allows you to minimize your storage needs. It can also be bought with a stationary handle if storage space is not of concern to you. It is not clear why you would order a handle that doesn’t fold.
The Hoover comes with a 3.5 amp motor. It is not battery operated and does not come with a charger. Users plug the Hoover Hardwood Floor Cleaner into an outlet for use.
Hoover recommends using its own cleaning solution. This is sold separately from the unit and is called the Hoover Hard Floor Solution, Multi-Floor Plus.
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6. Oreck Commercial XL Upright Vacuum
Buy Oreck Commercial XL Upright Vacuum
Would you rather clean your hard floors with a traditional vacuum? Consider the Oreck. The XL2100 is a conventional upright vacuum with a 12-inch-wide cleaning path. This model is designed explicitly for low-pile carpets or hard surface floors.
Many enjoy the ease of use when using a traditional upright vacuum. One of the other benefits of this canister vacuum is that it takes up less space in storage.
Oreck is friendly for people with arthritis. The Helping Hand handle is designed for easy use. The on-off switch is located on the handgrip. Oreck received accolades from the Arthritis Foundation for designing a vacuum so easy to use.
The 12-inch wide head has a brush roll which contains double helix brushes. They whirl at 6,500 RPM and move the dirt, debris, and hair toward the vacuum inlet. Besides having high-speed roller brushes, the Oreck vacuum also has side edge brushes that push dirt and debris away from the baseboards and corners of your room.
This particular Oreck model has a 35-foot cord.
Debris and dirt gathered by the Oreck are deposited in a top-fill inner bag. The bag is designed to hold 630 cubic inches of dirt and debris.
The Oreck weighs about nine pounds and comes with a one-year commercial warranty as well as a one-year warranty on the belt. It is made in the USA. It is available for purchase on Amazon on its own, or in a bundle with 50 bags, or in a bundle with 75 bags.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]
7. Dibea Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Buy Dibea Robot Vacuum Cleaner
The Dibea can be described as a robot vacuum that also can mop. This cannot be compared with any of the previous robot vacuums described. The first two units were vacuums only. The third product acted as a push broom and mop. This machine works like a vacuum and a mop.
Like a vacuum, the Dibea picks up dirt, debris, and hair from hard floors, tile, and laminate. It also performs on thin carpets. The suction is rated at 1200 pa, which is less than the first Eufy unit. The dirt collection tank can contain 350 mL.
As a mop, the Dibea comes with a 350mL tank. All one needs to do is add water to the tank and attach a mopping pad to the unit. Then, the Dibea will glide across your floor and shoot out water while sucking the dirty water back into the system.
While the Eufy unit estimates 100 minutes of run time on hard surfaces, the Dibea promises 120 to 150 minutes of run time before having to be recharged. Recharging takes between four and five hours.
The Dibea can be programmed to run on a predictable schedule, and similar to other vacuums, it will not take a tumble down the stairs.
The Dibea comes with two side brushes, one HEPA filter, one water tank, two mop pads, one remote control, one charging base, and one power adapter.
The Dibea unit is three inches tall so that it can fit under most furniture easily.
In several places on the product’s description, it is recommended not to use the mopping function on carpeted areas. It is unclear whether the unit can sense carpet or not and turn off the mopping function on its own. Otherwise, it is unknown how the user would keep your carpet from getting soaked.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]
8. Dibea 600W Stick Vacuum Cleaner
Buy Dibea 600W Stick Vacuum Cleaner
Dibeo also makes the last product we will discuss. It is a lightweight, corded pet hair vacuum. This inexpensive device allows you to make quick work of grabbing pet hairs off your hard-surfaced floors. There is not a brush on this unit. It catches your dirt and debris through suction alone.
This light-weight unit has 15,000 pa, but this may be a typo since the other units described in this article are closer to 1,200 pa.
Dirt is collected in a 1L dirt receptacle, which can be emptied easily. The unit also contains a HEPA filter to reduce allergens from remaining in your home.
Users of the Dibeo unit will enjoy swivel steering, which enables you to get around tight corners. Do you need to switch from hard surfaces to plush carpets? Slide the suction adjustment button to make it easier to push the unit across the floor. It also has a headlight, which some vacuum users find essential.
The cord on the Dibeo unit is 19.7 feet long, and the vacuum weighs only 4.6 pounds.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]
So, which is the best vacuum for laminate floors?
It is hard to say. While the Diebo unit that sweeps and washes sounds intriguing, many families may produce too much debris for this to work well. Many families would need to sweep or vacuum again to remove dirt before running the mopping function over the surface of the floor.
Traditional Vacuum
A traditional vacuum may also function well on hard surfaces. A vacuum would collect the soil, and by turning off the brushes, you know that the unit would be safe on your floors. The drawback of a traditional vacuum is that some families may only use the device once a week. Conscientious housecleaners will vacuum more often than that, but most families do not have that kind of time. Vacuuming can also only be done at certain times of the day because of the noise involved with running the machine.
Stick Vacuum
One benefit of the stick vacuum is that it can be stored easily and pulled out quickly for use on specific messes. One drawback of a stick vacuum is that you probably need another higher-powered machine to maintain the rest of your house. Who has enough storage space for two vacuums?
Robot Vacuum
The robot vacuums are intriguing. Not only can you run them any time of the day and night, but you can also have the benefit of your floors being cleaned daily. This is perfect for busy households with lots of people and pets but little free time. The downfall of the robot vacuums is that often the prep work needed before engaging the robot can take longer than actually vacuuming would. Not only do you have to block tricky furniture, but you also need to monitor your drapery cords and electric cords. Kids leaving tennis shoes all over the house may come home to find the robot vacuum twisted up in long shoelaces. The robot vacuum forces you always to have items picked up off the floor.
Bonus Cleaning Tips for Laminate Floors + Other Floor Types
While there is no perfect solution to keep dirt and debris off your floor, let’s read more about cleaning all types of hard surfaces.
How to Clean Laminate Floors
Regularly sweep or vacuum the floor. Even though laminate flooring is relatively scratch-resistant, debris can cause scratches to develop if allowed to build up over time. Use a soft-brushed broom if to prevent damage. If your laminate floor was laid like tile, sweep in the direction that the tiles were laid. Doing so allows you to pick up any debris that falls in between the grooves of the laminate flooring pieces.
What should you use to mop laminate floors? There are a TON of products on the market that can be used to clean your laminate floors. The best product may come from your tap. Consider using warm to hot water to wash your laminate floor. Hot water is often considered one of the best ways to clean laminate flooring because it is non-toxic, doesn’t cause streaks, and doesn’t remove the finish off the floor.
Some professional cleaners say to start from the center of your laminate floor and work your way out. Some say you should work from one side of the room to the other side. You should never start from the outside of your floor and work your way into the middle. That would be a rookie move. Change your water often when mopping. Mopping with dirty water causes a cloudy surface.
What if your floor is super dirty and you feel you need additional cleaning power? Mix a solution of ¼ cup white vinegar into a 32- ounce spray bottle. Fill the rest of the bottle with water and shake well to combine. The vinegar/water mixture will help remove water-soluble stains. Don’t assume that if a little vinegar is good, a lot is better. Dilute the vinegar when you use it to clean. Straight vinegar may be too harsh for your intended surface.
Do you have a filthy laminate floor?
- Combine 1/3 cup white vinegar
- Add three squirts of liquid dish detergent (similar to Dawn, to help cut through any grease that may appear on the surface of your floor – perhaps from frying too much bacon. Scratch that. Is there ever TOO much bacon?)
- Mix with 1 gallon of warm water.
How to Clean Hardwood Floors
It’s one thing to keep hardwood floors free of debris, but how do you keep them shiny as well? How do you prevent your hardwoods from becoming dull and dingy?
It is possible that your dull and dingy hardwood needs to be refinished. The finish on hardwood floors does not last forever. Hardwood floors require maintenance. How do you know if your floor needs refinishing? If droplets of water bead up on the most worn parts of your floor, then your finish is likely intact. If, however, droplets of water soak into the floor, turning it white or gray, your finish needs some attention.
Another reason your floors may be dingy is that you may have wax buildup. One should only wax hardwood floors once or twice a year.
Once you refinish your hardwood floors, how do you keep them shiny for an extended period of time?
First, don’t allow shoes on the floor. If your pets have nails, keep the nails trimmed. Use protection underneath the legs of your furniture that sits on your hardwood floors.
The biggest enemy of hardwood floors is unattended water. Do not allow water or cleaning fluid to sit on your hardwood floors. This will harm the finish. Use products and water sparingly and wipe up spills right away.
Also, remember to remove debris. Do you mop your hardwood floors without sweeping first? This could be damaging your hardwood as well. Debris may cause streaks and scratches on the floor. If you decide to sweep, then use a dust mop rather than a broom to avoid scratching the surface.
What do you use to clean a hardwood floor to get a shiny surface? Try this all-natural recipe. Once a week, mop your floor with equal parts white vinegar and vegetable oil. Spray a small amount of the cleaner on your wood floor and wipe it up with a clean mop head or soft towel.
Try this other all-natural recipe to keep your hardwood floors shiny. Combine ¼ cup olive oil with 1/3 cup white vinegar to five cups of hot water. Add 12 drops of lemon essential oil. Spray a small amount on the surface of your floor, and clean with a soft rag.
Using all-natural ingredients is cheaper than purchasing wood floor cleaner. Natural ingredients are also less toxic than commercial products that you may be bringing into your home.
After you have swept and mopped your hardwood floors, the final step is buffing. Use clean cloth diapers or microfiber cloths to dry the surface of your floor. Use a wide, gentle and circular motion to shine the surface without removing the protective layer. While many do not buff as a last step to the floor-cleaning process, many do not enjoy a shiny floor. This is why.
How to Clean Tile Floors
Sweep or vacuum your tile floors often. Dirt and debris can damage the surface of your tile.
Mix mild detergent and clean water to mop your tile.
Make sure to use clean water and a rag or chamois-type mop as you clean your floor’s surface. Mopping with dirty water makes your floor cloudy. Mopping with a sponge-mop also pushes water into the grout lines, making them harder to clean.
Consider using one of these all-natural cleaners to keep your tiles looking new.
For a light cleaning, dip a damp cloth into a bowl of baking soda. Wipe the tile. Rinse the baking soda off with warm water, remembering to change the water frequently.
For a dirtier surface, use white vinegar diluted with water to wipe down the surface. Scour tough spots with baking soda and a brush.
To remove stains on your tile, mix ¼ cup white vinegar, one tablespoon liquid dish soap (similar to Dawn), ¼ cup baking soda, and two gallons of very warm water. Consider adding 10-12 drops of your favorite essential oil to make the solution smell awesome.
Cleaning grout is another story. Grout is porous and absorbs stains easily. It is important to seal your grout with a silicone-based sealer to keep stains from forming. To clean moldy or discolored grout, mix one part hydrogen peroxide with one part warm water in a spray bottle. After you spray it on the grout, wait 45 minutes before wiping it down with a brush or sponge. Rinse the grout well.
Do you have a nasty stain on your grout that needs removal? Make a paste of baking soda and water. Rub it on the stain, and let the solution sit on it overnight. Scrub the stain in the morning with a stiff nylon brush. Repeat this process until the stain disappears.
Perhaps you have been using the incorrect type of cleanser on your tile and you are faced with a soapy residue. Remove the existing film with a lemon juice solution. Remove the lemon juice with clean water, and don’t forget to buff the tiles dry with a clean lint-free towel.
Keep Your Laminate Floors Looking Good for Years to Come
So much of our time and energy is spent keeping our homes tidy. It also takes monetary resources to buy all the cleaning supplies. How can we keep our house cleaner in the first place, so we have more time to play rather than clean?
First, take off your shoes.
Even if your shoes never touch anything but pavement and hard surfaces, the bottoms of your shoes are gross. You may be the neatest and most careful person around, but chances are, you have fecal bacteria on the bottom of your shoes. It may not be visible, but you may have picked up the bacteria from animal waste on the ground or from public restroom floors.
Researchers have found other bacteria on the bottom of shoes, including E. coli. E. coli could make you or your loved ones suffer from stomach ailments.
Shoes also pick up allergens and mold from the environment that when brought into the house can cause a person with specific sensitivities discomfort.
Perhaps you are not bothered by the idea of fecal bacteria hanging out on your floor. What if you have a baby or grandbaby? Do you want your child or grandchild crawling over the floor infested with fecal matter or mold?
While shoes can be washed, they don’t seem to last as long after running them through a traditional washer and a dryer. You are busy enough. Who has time to wash their shoes every week anyway?
Keep the food in the kitchen
Another way to keep your floors clean is to limit the consumption of the food to the kitchen or dining areas. If all the food stays in the kitchen, this means you only have one area of your house that you need to sweep or vacuum daily. If food is eaten all through the house, that means that crumbs are trailed over all the floors. No one has time to vacuum every floor of your home every day. Crumbs act as an invitation to your house for bugs and other unwanted critters.
Use quality doormats.
Place quality doormats with rough, textured surfaces at every outside entrance of your home. Studies have shown that wiping your shoes at least twice on a mat can trap and remove up to 90 percent of the debris from the bottom of your shoes. Also, consider placing a mat between the door leading to your garage and one leading into an unfinished area of your home. A doormat does not do any good if it is dirty. Clean your doormats often with a hose or power washer.
Brush your pets
While some people take their four-legged friends to the groomer more often then they cut their own hair, others wait months to maintain their pet’s furry coat. Grooming your pet or, at the least, brushing your pet, reduces the amount of unwanted pet hair in your house.
Clean other surfaces of your home
You won’t have a tidy floor for long if you have crumbs and debris all over your tables and countertops. Wipe up crumbs quickly. Dust your furniture and ceiling fans periodically. Vacuum the surface of your vent covers and reach your vacuum’s hose into your vents. Keeping other surfaces and areas of your home clean will help you keep your floors clean.
Train your family
Teach your children good practices when it comes to keeping a tidy home. Give them partial responsibilities to keep things clean. It is incredible how particular a child becomes with wiping off the kitchen counters if it is his job is to sweep the kitchen floor.
Perhaps you are trying to decide which type of flooring surface is best for your home. Here are several factors to consider when choosing between hardwood floors or carpet.
Laminate floors are easier to clean
Even though caring for laminate floors requires some effort, overall it is easier to keep hard floor surfaces clean compared to carpet. Dust and bacteria can quickly become trapped in the fibers of your carpet. Stains can soak into the carpet and pad and become virtually impossible to remove. Hard surfaces can be wiped clean quickly and don’t often stain.
Allergies
Those suffering from allergies may consider removing carpeting from your home. Carpet can attract and hold dust and microorganisms in its fibers. Hard flooring surfaces can be wiped and disinfected easily.
Long-lasting
Hard surface floors can last for decades. They may even last longer than you wish if you are trying to persuade your spouse into spending money on upgrades. Carpeting usually needs to be replaced more often.
Hard surface floors can be refinished
Even if your floor becomes damaged through physical trauma or stain, it can be sanded down and refreshed so it looks like new. Depending on the thickness of the wood, you may be able to do this several times over the life of the floor.
Versatility
Laminate flooring can be left as is, but if you want to soften the look with an area rug, you can. Area rugs can be changed out periodically with little-added expense should the mood to redecorate strike.
A more natural choice
Carpeting is made mostly from petroleum, and although it has never been proven harmful to humans, it is an unnatural substance that we have skin to surface contact with often.
Benefits of carpeting
Softness
Carpeting does have its appeal. The biggest attraction to carpeting is that it is soft. It’s nicer to put your feet on carpet if you get out of bed in the middle of the night because it’s warmer than hard floors. Carpeting promotes a more relaxing feeling than hard surfaces.
Warmth
Carpet is much warmer than hardwood floors. It also acts as another layer of insulation to keep the cold elements outside. Hardwood floors have gaps between the boards that may seem minuscule, but they let just enough air through to make a room that is already cold that much colder.
Better on joints and bones
Carpeting provides a softer surface to stand on than hardwood floors. This is more important as we age.
Cheaper
Most carpet is considerably less expensive than most hardwood materials, but it may not be less costly than other hard flooring alternatives. One thing to consider though is that carpet needs replacing more often than different types of flooring, especially in high traffic areas.
Safety
The softness of carpeting and the additional padding may keep your family safer. While falls on hardwood may cause injuries, the worst you may end up with after a fall on carpeting is rug burn. Falling down a flight of carpeted stairs may not result in as much injury as falling down hardwood stairs.
Sound-deadening
Carpeting is much quieter than hardwood. This is especially true if your home has several stories. Walk through an older house, and you will hear tons of squeaks, and you will notice every footstep. If you have teenagers, having a home with squeaky floors may seem beneficial, as you will be able to hear them arrive home late from curfew.
How to Pick Your Next Flooring
Flooring choices are at an all-time high. Not only can you purchase laminate floors that look like hardwood, but you can also buy tile that looks like wood as well. Carpeting is softer and more durable than ever before. How do you choose when you have so many options in front of you?
Go to a variety of flooring stores. Talk with the salespeople in the flooring departments. Ask what is popular. Ask what is being used in high-end new construction. You don’t want to invest in a flooring product and then realize a few months later that type of flooring is out of style.
Next, read online reviews for products. Every type of flooring has advantages and disadvantages.
Determine whether you plan to complete the flooring project yourself or whether you are hiring the project out to be completed by professionals.
Ask how long the project will keep you out of your home.
Talk with your friends and neighbors. Ask what flooring products they use, and ask what they like and what they don’t like. Ask if they would use that product again if given a chance.
Although flooring is expensive, it is also an investment in your home. Your home’s value will increase as the quality of the flooring increases.
Even though flooring is expensive, keeping carpet that is full of dirt, debris, or possibly mold can be hazardous to your health. If you or your loved ones suffer from allergies, replacing your carpet with a hard surface floor may help alleviate some of your symptoms.
Also, even though flooring is expensive, it is nice to be proud of and comfortable in your home. It feels good when someone knocks on your door, and you don’t cringe at the idea of a friend seeing your stained or dirty floor.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
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