Don't Destroy Your Laminate and Hardwood Floors by Steam Cleaning!

Believe it or not, steam cleaning your flooring remains a popular method for cleaning hard surface flooring. Unfortunately, many people have not really taken the time to research the effect that it will have on their hardwood or laminate flooring. Don't fall for the infomercials! We have all the information you need to know right here.

Steam Cleaning a Laminate Floor

Most flooring companies strongly oppose steam cleaning laminate flooring, and with good reason. Although laminate flooring is capable of handling a bit more moisture than hardwood surface flooring, you can't simply inject moisture directly into it and expect it to be peachy keen! 

Upon examining the installation process, we can see that adhesives are typically used in cases where the laminate flooring features a joint locking mechanism. Unfortunately, adhesives never really hold up well to moisture, so steam will do everything it can to break your flooring apart in this case.

However, even if your particular laminate flooring did not require adhesive during installation, it is still possible to damage the joints of your laminate. In many instances, after repeated steaming, the excessive moisture will actually cause the edges of the planks to peak and swell. Even though you may have tried it and the steaming seems to be doing a successful job of maintaining your laminate flooring, it will inevitably damage your flooring. 

Steam Cleaning Your Hardwood Flooring

If you have researched how to maintain your hardwood flooring, you have likely read that any kind of moisture is detrimental. When steam cleaning your hardwood flooring, you are clearly in direct violation of this hardwood maintenance code. 

Moisture is detrimental to your hardwood flooring because it will absorb it. This happens more so when steaming than when letting water stand on it! After absorbing excessive moisture, your boards will swell, buckle, and discolor. Eventually, it will break down the finish, and you're in for a heap of trouble and a substantial repair bill.

Even if you have engineered hardwood, it will make no difference to the damage that your flooring will endure.

The Moral of the Story...

Don't buy into cleaning fads without getting the facts from the manufacturer of what you are cleaning. Usually their directions are the best directions... They did make it after all!