How to choose and use a laminate vacuum cleaner?

Regular wet cleaning is an opportunity to qualitatively clean the floor and indoor air. However, laminate flooring does not tolerate frequent washing, which makes it swell. In this case, use a wet or dry vacuum cleaner.

A washing vacuum cleaner can be used if the coating itself is labeled "moisture resistant" or "water repellent". Such a laminate is equipped with several protective layers, covered with moisture resistant impregnation. You can understand which cleaning method is suitable for a particular type of laminate by finding special markings on it.

• DPL, or direct lamination method. This laminate does not tolerate exposure to water; special foam or a vacuum cleaner (dry cleaning mode) is used for cleaning. The cached coverage is cleared in a similar way.
• DPR, which means direct printing technology. It is recommended that this coating is washed by hand once a week and then wiped dry.
• HPL, that is, the high pressure method. It is permissible to wash the laminate every 6-7 days by hand or using a vacuum cleaner.
• CPL, manufactured by continuous pressure method. This variety is less afraid of water than its "brothers"; more frequent cleaning with a washing vacuum cleaner is permissible.

To determine the moisture resistance of an already laid laminate, you can test drive a small area in an inconspicuous place, for example, wet the surface under the bedside table with water. It is important to understand that the criteria for a high-quality washing are not only the type of laminate, but also the features of the vacuum cleaner itself. It must meet the following requirements.

• Spraying liquid should be kept to a minimum. That is, the floor should not get wet, but only slightly moistened.
• High indicators of suction power. As a rule, this is at least 450 W or 20% of the rated power.
• The presence of a special nozzle for the laminate, which will prevent scratches on the coating.
• Drying option. A desirable feature, although not found on all models.

If in a home or office all the floors are laminate, then it is better to purchase a specialized vacuum cleaner for laminate.

Based on the types of laminate, there are several types of vacuum cleaners for it.

Unlike conventional units, laminate vacuum cleaners have brushes with strips of rubber or soft dense bristles. The wheels of such a vacuum cleaner are more maneuverable and protected by a rubber coating. This avoids contact of the laminate with plastic, and therefore prevents scratches and damage on the floor.

Such devices do a good job with the main function - collecting dust from the surface, but they cannot be used for wet cleaning and do not purify the air in the room. However, some laminates only allow this dry cleaning. In this case, it is important to regularly rub the laminate with special impregnations, the task of which is to repel dirt. Then the vacuum cleaner really provides high-quality cleaning of the room.

Dry cleaning devices usually have a familiar look or are made in the form of a mop. The latter have a motor compartment and a dust collector on their handle, although it is of small volume. Of the advantages of a mop vacuum cleaner, it is worth noting compactness (easy to store), lightness.

If the coating is able to withstand wet cleaning, then it is preferable to choose a washing device. It must be equipped with rubber pads and a cloth to collect water and dry the floor. Like analogues for dry cleaning, these units have rubber protection on wheels. Vacuum cleaners can be simpler or multifunctional. The latter are able to purify the air in the room, have attachments for furniture, curtains, and can be equipped with a steam generator.

These mobile (cordless) devices are gaining more and more popularity, they allow dry or wet cleaning of the laminate without involving a person in this process. Robots avoid sharp corners and obstacles, are characterized by maneuverability and reliability in use. As with buying any laminate vacuum cleaner, when choosing a robot, pay attention to whether it damages the floor or cleans it too aggressively.

It is better to choose a vacuum cleaner for laminate flooring from trusted manufacturers specializing in the manufacture of these devices. Among the brands that arouse the approval of experts and the trust of buyers, the following varieties can be distinguished.

Multifunctional device from a German brand, which is used for cleaning most types of surfaces and carpets, for dry and wet cleaning. The model is equipped with a variety of attachments and an aquafilter.

Despite its dimensions (height - 31 cm, width - 30 cm and depth - 38 cm) and considerable weight (8 kg), the vacuum cleaner is characterized by high maneuverability. Long wire (6 m) and its automatic winding system provide additional convenience during operation. The body of the vacuum cleaner is made of impact-resistant plastic and has a soft bumper. The handle is made of metal, telescopic. Dust collection is carried out in a removable dust collector or a container with a volume of 1.8 liters. When using the wet cleaning mode, water is poured into a tank with a capacity of 4 liters.

Speaking about the shortcomings of the model, mention should be made of the cessation of the water supply when the thin hose is bent. Despite the option to automatically twist the cord, most users note that the vacuum cleaner often has to help with this. The average cost of a model is 18-23 thousand rubles.

Products of a German company that specializes in the manufacture of household and garden equipment. This model is convenient in that it can be used for dry and wet cleaning, and also has attachments for furniture. Unlike the previous model, Karcher SE 4002 does not have an aquafilter, and therefore does not provide air purification.

The manufacturer has integrated the supply system of the detergent composition into the handle and the hose of the device, the control is carried out by choosing the appropriate mode. The buttons and display are on the body of the vacuum cleaner. Dust collection is carried out in a removable dust collector, the volume of the water tank is 4 liters. The main advantage is the shockproof case. Among these advantages, one can also highlight the ability to store additional attachments in the device body. Given the small width and depth of the vacuum cleaner (38.5 cm), it can be called ergonomic.

Users note that even if the bag is full during dry cleaning, the power of the device does not decrease. It collects fine fractions of dust and dirt, pet hair. The device is equipped with a powerful electric drive, no cases of its premature failure due to the manufacturer's fault have been recorded.

The disadvantages include a strong noise level (74 dB) during operation. In addition, despite its ergonomics, the device is heavy (8 kg). Users often note that the hole for the water inlet cannot be called convenient. And the volume of a tank of 4 liters is not enough for cleaning medium and large apartments. During cleaning, you have to change the water 2-3 times.

You have to buy branded dust collectors, which also carries an additional financial burden for the owners of the Karcher SE 4002 model. With many years of use, the rings on the handle loosen, which hold the water supply pipe. In addition, the vacuum cleaner itself begins to leak after several years of operation, and the nozzle becomes worse to collect and retain moisture. The average cost is 18-20 thousand rubles.

Another vacuum cleaner that is suitable for dry and wet cleaning, and also equipped with aquafilters. Country of origin - Poland. This model is recommended for those who are interested in high-quality cleaning not only of the floor, but also of the air. This model copes with this brilliantly, thanks to a 4-stage cleaning system and the presence of a HEPA filter.

Manufacturers have taken care of the energy consumption of the device - it is equipped with a special Ecopower system, which allows you to reduce the energy consumption of the vacuum cleaner without compromising its suction functions. Dust collection is carried out either in a 6 liter container or in a replaceable dust container. The volume of the water bowl for wet cleaning is 1.7 liters. The body is shockproof and has a soft bumper. The telescopic handle is made of metal, there is an option for automatic cable retraction.

Users note the high quality of cleaning and air purification, as well as the possibility of using a vacuum cleaner for cleaning furniture, mirrors, glass surfaces. Among the advantages is quiet operation, the ability to use only an aquafilter for dry cleaning (no need to buy dust collectors).

Among the minuses - the weight of the unit (8.5 kg), the need for a large space for drying components after wet cleaning. The main drawback (in new models it is leveled) is the likelihood of liquid entering the engine when water is overflowing. Newer models have an overflow indicator. The average cost of the device is 13-15 thousand rubles.

One of the main criteria for choosing a washing vacuum cleaner for laminate flooring is the suction power. It is important to distinguish it from the total power consumption (1.5-2 W), which marketers sometimes place in the most prominent place in the technical description of the device. The suction power determines how dry the floor will be after cleaning. The minimum indicator in this case is 350-400 watts.

It is worth paying attention to the wheels of the device. They must have rubber tires. Plastic and even more metal wheels will damage the laminate. The device for dry cleaning must have a nozzle with a long and soft nap. For wet - a rubber pad (collects moisture) and a cloth.

Another selection criterion is the filter capacity. This influences whether the vacuum cleaner will "grab" only large particles of dust and dirt, or perform better cleaning, capturing the smallest particles. The most popular are HEPA filters.

If you want the vacuum cleaner not only to clean / mop the floor, but also to freshen up the air in the room, choose devices with an aquafilter and a multi-stage cleaning system. Such a device is capable of capturing up to 90% of dust in the air. Of course, such units cannot be called cheap, but after cleaning the air is literally transparent, the effect cannot be overlooked. Washing vacuum cleaners with aquafilter are recommended for families with small children or allergy sufferers.

It is important to correctly choose the capacity of the water tank in the washing device, since its cost also depends on this. So, if you choose a vacuum cleaner with an excessively large tank, this will lead to an unjustified overpayment for the device. If not large enough, it will cause inconvenience during operation, delaying the cleaning time. For a three-room apartment, it is optimal to choose units with a tank volume of 6-8 liters.

Before using a washing vacuum cleaner (even if the type of laminate allows it), it is important to take care of protecting the joints between the laminate. The penetration of moisture into the seams is unacceptable.To do this, protect the joints with grout or laminate sealant every 10-12 months. Do not use steam generation when cleaning laminate flooring. In this case, swelling of even the most resistant coating cannot be avoided. As already mentioned, it is better to choose units in which automatic coating drying is provided. If this option is not available, be sure to wipe the laminate floor cleaned with a washing vacuum cleaner with a dry cloth.

Greasy stains should be "washed out" in advance - wiped with a rag, which is moistened with liquid laundry soap. Contamination from juices and sauces can be cleaned with pH-neutral detergents. If cured gum or wax appears on the surface, they should be lightly frozen (for example, with ice) or sprayed with laminate spray, and then gently scrubbed with a non-sharp object: a spatula, scraper, flat wooden stick.

When using a washing device, it is better to take not ordinary water, but the cleaning compounds recommended by the manufacturer. Water can leave streaks and cannot handle dirt. It is unacceptable to choose detergents at your discretion. Non-specialized household chemicals can damage the laminate and, most likely, form copious foam, which will negatively affect the operation of the vacuum cleaner, up to its breakdown.

In the next video, you can watch the testing of the Karcher vacuum cleaner when cleaning the laminate.