How To Keep Laminate Floors Clean With Dogs? (7 Great Tips!)
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To keep laminate floors clean with dogs, vacuum or sweep often to remove grit, wipe paws at the door, keep nails trimmed, put rugs in high-traffic spots, blot accidents right away, and clean with a barely damp mop and a laminate-safe cleaner. The two big enemies of laminate are grit, which scratches, and standing liquid, which can seep into the seams and make the boards swell.
Here are 7 tips in more detail.
7 Tips on how to keep laminate floors clean with dogs
1Keeping your house clean
A clean house is a happy house – or so they say. But when you have a four-legged friend, it can feel like your home is constantly in need of a good cleaning.
Between shedding fur and tracking in dirt, it can be tough to keep your floors looking pristine. But there are some easy things you can do to cut down on the mess.
First, make sure to sweep or vacuum regularly. This will help to remove any dirt, sand, or other debris that your dog tracks in on a daily basis, before it gets ground into the surface and causes fine scratches. If your vacuum has a spinning brush roll, switch it off or use the hard-floor setting. A robot vacuum for dog hair can take this chore off your hands.
Secondly, invest in a good doormat and keep an old towel by the door. Wiping your dog’s paws when they come in catches mud and water before it has a chance to spread throughout your home.
Finally, keep your pet well-groomed. A good brushing will help to remove any loose fur before it has a chance to end up on your furniture or floor.
By keeping on top of the cleaning, dirt won’t build up and wear down the surface of your laminate floors.
2Trim your pet's nails regularly
One of the easiest ways to damage your laminate floors is by having your pet’s nails too long. When your dog’s nails are too long, they can create scratches on the surface of the floor as they walk. Not only does this ruin the look of your floors, but long nails are also uncomfortable for your dog and make it harder for them to grip on smooth floors.
To avoid this, make sure to trim your pet’s nails on a regular basis. You can do this yourself at home or take them to a professional groomer. If you are unsure of how to properly trim your dog’s nails, ask your veterinarian for help. They will be able to show you the proper way to do it and make sure that you don’t accidentally injure your pet.
3Place rugs in high-traffic areas
If you have a dog that sheds or tracks in a lot of dirt, you may want to consider placing rugs in high-traffic areas of your home. This will help to protect your floors from any damage and make it easier to keep them clean.
Rugs are available in a variety of materials, sizes, and colors, so you can easily find one that fits your needs and style. Just be sure to choose a rug that is durable, easy to clean and has a non-slip backing, which also gives your dog better footing on slippery laminate. Avoid rubber backings that can trap moisture or discolor some floors.
4Blot up pet accidents immediately
Unfortunately, accidents happen – even to the best-behaved pets. If your dog has an accident on your laminate floors, it’s important to clean it up immediately. The longer you wait, the more time the urine has to seep into the seams between the boards, where it can cause swelling, lingering odor and stains.
To clean up an accident, start by blotting up as much of the urine as possible with paper towels or a clean cloth. Once you have done this, use a pet-safe enzyme cleaner that’s suitable for laminate to break down the remaining residue and odor, then wipe the area dry. Be sure to avoid using harsh chemicals, as these can damage your floors. If your dog keeps having accidents indoors, check with your vet, as a urinary problem could be the cause.
Use a damp mop for cleaning
When it comes to cleaning laminate floors, too much water can be a bad thing. If you use a wet mop, you run the risk of damaging the floor and causing it to warp or swell.
Instead of using a wet mop, opt for a damp microfiber mop that’s been wrung out well. This will help to remove dirt and debris without saturating the floor. Steam mops are best avoided on laminate unless your flooring manufacturer says they’re safe.
Never use ammonia or vinegar
Ammonia and vinegar are two common household cleaning products that many laminate manufacturers advise against. Over time, they can dull the protective top layer of the floor, cause discoloration, or leave streaks. Ammonia’s strong smell, which resembles urine, can also encourage some dogs to mark the same spot again.
If you need to clean your laminate floors, be sure to use a cleaner that is specifically designed for this type of surface, and check your flooring manufacturer’s care guide. There are many good cleaners on the market, and the one above is our top recommendation. Once you’ve cleaned, let the floor dry fully before your dog walks on it.
Use a protective laminate coating
If you want to give your laminate floors an extra layer of protection, you may be tempted to apply a protective coating. Be careful here: laminate already has a built-in wear layer, and many manufacturers warn against waxes, polishes and sealers, which can leave a slippery, cloudy film and may void your warranty.
Before using any product, check your flooring manufacturer’s recommendations and choose only something they approve for your type of laminate. Simple extra protection, like felt pads under furniture, rugs in your dog’s favorite spots and water-resistant mats under food and water bowls, is often the safer route. If you’re still choosing a floor, look for a laminate with a high AC (abrasion class) rating and a water-resistant core, which hold up much better to dogs.
Conclusion
By following the 7 tips above, you can easily keep your laminate floors clean – even with a dog in the house. Just be sure to trim your pet’s nails regularly, place rugs in high-traffic areas, and blot up any accidents immediately. You should also use a damp mop for cleaning and avoid using harsh chemicals on your floors. Lastly, protect the floor with rugs and mats, and only use a coating if your flooring manufacturer approves it.
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