Laminate Maintenance Secrets: Making Your Floors Last 25+ Years

Laminate flooring is often marketed as “maintenance-free,” but that is a bit of a misnomer. While laminate is incredibly durable and resistant to the scratches that plague hardwood, it still requires a specific care routine to reach its full potential. In the GTA, where our floors are subjected to everything from humid summer air to the corrosive road salt of a Toronto winter, a proactive maintenance plan is the difference between a floor that lasts 10 years and one that stays beautiful for 25. At Markville Flooring, we want to share the “secrets” to keeping your laminate in showroom condition for decades.

The Golden Rule: Controlled Moisture

The number one “killer” of laminate floors is excessive water. Because laminate is made of high-density fiberboard (HDF), it is essentially a very dense wood product. If water seeps into the seams and stays there, the core can swell, leading to “peaking” at the edges that cannot be reversed.

Proper Cleaning Solutions

Never use a traditional “mop and bucket” or a steam mop on laminate floors. The steam can force moisture into the joints, and a soaking wet mop leaves puddles that find their way into the seams. Instead, use a “damp-mop” technique with a microfiber cloth and a pH-neutral cleaner specifically formulated for laminate. Avoid wax-based cleaners or “oil soaps,” as these will leave a cloudy residue that attracts more dirt over time.

Addressing the “Salt and Snow” Threat

For our customers in Markham and Toronto, winter is the most dangerous time for flooring. The salt and ice-melt chemicals used on our sidewalks are highly abrasive. If tracked onto your laminate, they act like sandpaper under your feet. The secret to 25-year longevity is a “double-mat” system: a heavy-duty scraper mat outside the door and a soft, absorbent rug inside. This ensures that 99% of the moisture and grit are removed before they ever touch your floor.

Long-Term Protection Strategies

Beyond cleaning, you should treat your laminate with the same respect as hardwood. Use felt furniture pads under every leg of your chairs and tables to prevent “micro-scratches.” Keep your pets’ nails trimmed, as even the hardest AC-rated floor can be challenged by a large dog’s sprint across the hallway. By following these simple, actionable routines, you ensure that your Markville Flooring installation remains a stunning, hassle-free foundation for your home for a quarter-century.

The Mechanics of Micro-Scratch Prevention and the Role of Humidity Stabilization

While the top layer of a high-quality laminate floor is engineered to be incredibly tough, it is not entirely invincible to the “slow wear” caused by microscopic abrasives. In a busy city like Toronto, fine urban grit and construction dust can act as a subtle sandpaper that, over many years, may dull the high-definition photographic layer of your planks. The secret to maintaining that “day-one” sheen for over 25 years lies in the frequent removal of these micro-particles. We recommend a daily “dry-sweep” using a high-quality microfiber dust mop rather than a traditional broom. Microfiber creates a static charge that lifts and traps fine dust instead of simply pushing it into the beveled edges of the planks. By keeping the surface free of grit, you prevent the friction that eventually leads to a loss of luster in high-traffic corridors.

Furthermore, long-term longevity is heavily dependent on maintaining a stable indoor environment. Although laminate is more stable than solid hardwood, its HDF core is still a wood-based product that reacts to the extreme seasonal shifts of the Ontario climate. During our dry Canadian winters, the lack of moisture in the air can cause planks to contract slightly, putting stress on the locking mechanisms. Conversely, the humid summers in Markham can cause the core to expand. To reach that 25-year milestone, we advise homeowners to maintain a consistent indoor humidity level between 35% and 55% using a humidifier in the winter and an air conditioner or dehumidifier in the summer. This stabilization prevents “seasonal gapping” and ensures that the precision-milled joints remain tight and waterproof, preserving the structural integrity of your Markville Flooring installation for a lifetime.

Expert Care for a Lifetime of Beauty

Your floors are an investment in your home’s future, and we are committed to helping you protect that investment through every season in Ontario. Markville Flooring provides the high-quality products and the professional advice needed to keep your home looking its absolute best. Contact us or visit us at our showroom locations in Markham, ON & Toronto, Ontario. We are a full service carpet and flooring company specializing in the supply and installation of residential and commercial carpet, hardwood flooring, luxury vinyl plank, laminate flooring, residential and commercial sheet vinyl, and so much more.