NOT Q/R ... does a steamer work on laminate floor?

[Geneva C.]

I know this is not quilt related but I figure you guys know a lot and might be able to answer this question.


I spent several hours on my hands and knees washing the laminate floor of my 20 x 16 foot kitchen and dinette area. The floor is really sticky but a worse problem is tomorrow my arthritis will make me suffer for the washing I did today. I have been seeing a floor steaming machine on TV and was wondering if anyone had one and how do they like it... does it work well on laminates. Does the machine hold up well under use? I have been disappointed when I bought floor cleaning systems in the past ... the machine innards would get so junked up they no longer worked. Then I would have to ditch the machine.

I am not sure what brand I saw on TV ..( I think a shark ) Any brand you would recommend???

[Eileen K.]

Anna,
What kind of laminate are you talking about? Pergo? Or are you talking about something like Armstrong tiles that you stick down?
Either way, there is glue involved and I wouldn't use steam. It could do damage to the floor.
Why not give the store where you bought it a call, or look on the manufacturer's website?
eileenkny

[Eileen K.]

It is a floating floor NO GLUE involved in placement... it was put down over 7 years ago so it is holding up well... no splits anywhere... The steamers ( SHARK) are relatively new invention so there is nothing on manufactures web sites related to these.....

I think the floor was made by Pergo but it could have been Armstrong... I bought the flooring on close out at the local hardware store....I bought enough for two rooms but I am still waiting for the second room to get done.

[Eileen K.]

Hi Lady Rags... I had a laminate floor installed last year and the slaes person told me that his wife used "Swiffer Wet Mop" I have been using it ever since the floor was installed. They're sold in Walmart and other places. There a re just the two of us and the floor doesn't get heavy traffic. And in my advanced years it makes a miserable job a lot easier. Nan

[Eileen K.]

Laminate floors are layers of materials with a "picture" of wood on the top layer. Steaming would probably buckle or separate the layers.
I think you'd better just find another way. I use the Swiffer wet.
eileenkny

[Eileen K.]

Trouble with the SWIFER WET MOP is I have to use several of the pads (4-6) when I do the floor. I live in a rural area / farm and we get non stop mud/ dirt. ( I WOULD LIKE TO SHOOT WHO EVER DID NOT PUT IN A MUD ROOM.)

I will just have to see what other system I can come up with... I have a HOOVER FLOOR MATE I use most times but I spend just a much time cleaning the floor mate innards as I do cleaning the floor.... A WOMAN'S WORK IS NEVER DONE.

The good thing about my DH is when I was incapacitate after a car accident.. he took over cleaning the house... HE HAS A GREATER APPRECIATION of all that it takes to run a household now... IT ONLY TOOK TWENTY YEARS AND A CAR ACCIDENT to get him trained!

[Eileen K.]

Anna, I use the Shark on my laminate it does a pretty good job, Just be sure when you order it to order extra mop pads. I use mine in the living/dining room. We haven't had any problem with buckling either. DH and I installed the floor oursevles, and we were sure that the subfloor was secure. It's even putting up with the kids skateboards and skates.

Before that I used a product from Home Depot, Zep..it was a spray cleanser that I mopped with a "mop pad", I needed extra of those too. That really worked well, however it did get a little expensive. On the bright side, that mop is a good dust mop and worth keeping around.

The shark is much more sanitary, and safer due to my and my DS#2's asthma. I keep a scent free home. we each have different triggers.

[Eileen K.]

Anna, I use the Swiffer Wet Jet on my floors (both hard wood and linolium) - the pads for the wet jet are FAR stronger and thicker than the regular Swiffer wet - I can get my entire kitchen done twice on one pad, and my kitchen is HUGE!! (13 x 30 approx) It also handles some pretty nasty stuff too, and there is a special formula for laminate and hard wood floors you can buy.

[Eileen K.]

There are knitted and crocheted Swiffer covers that are very easy to make. That way you don't have a terrible expense in buying the pads. Just use your knitted or crocheted pad and a spray bottle of cleaner or the jet. Here is the link for the knitted version and when you go there you can get the crocheted version. http://www.sheepofadifferentcolor.co...verknitted.htm

I don't have a Swiffer but I made several for my friend and they worked out great for her...Diana

[Eileen K.]

Thank you for the link, as soon as I get done doing some reverse stitching, I am going to dig out my crochet hooks and get going. Great money saving idea. Sandi in FL

[Patti P.]

What a great idea! I have lots of old yarn remnants and I too like the swiffer but hate the expense. Thanks for the link.

[Patti P.]

Yes, thanks for the link! I added it to my Favorites for further reference. Sure sounds like a great :idea:

[Patti P.]

Anna, my entire lower level is stained and etched concrete, so I'm with you on mopping. My suggestion is that you do what I do, insist all shoes are left at the door, no exceptions!

Of course, then the dogs run in... :shock:

Have you "Tinkled" today?

[Patti P.]

The gang is good about leaving shoes in the back but in FARM country the mud shows up... especially since I do not have a easily accessible MUd room... biggest problem is SPILLS and cooking messes....

I like the swifter pattern for knitting... I passed it on to a girlfriend who is making a bunch of them for her little craft booth at farm market... I am trying to sew some out of different fabrics to see if those could work as I hate knitting and crotchetting.

who knows I might be able to quilt myself out of this mess.

[Patti P.]

I've used old kitchen towels in my Swiffer. That works okay, but I bet the texture of the knitted pads makes a big difference.
Sherry