How Do I Maintain and Clean Laminate Surfaces?

How Do I Maintain and Clean Laminate Surfaces?

Formica decorative laminates do not easily scratch or chip and will withstand normal wear and tear, but should never be used as a cutting or chopping surface. They will resist the effects of vandalism and, properly fabricated, will provide very durable surfaces suitable for public areas.

Maintain and Clean 920x600

Laminate surfaces are best kept clean using water and mild detergent. Non-scratch liquids or creams are recommended for stubborn stains.

More persistent marks and discolouration (for example after long term exposure to tobacco smoke or industrial grime) can usually be removed by careful use of a mild abrasive cream or paste cleaner, however on no account should scouring pads or harsh abrasive cleaning agents be used. Ink marks from felt-tip and ball-point pens can be removed with a suitable solvent (e.g. methylated spirits, acetone, etc.) on a clean cloth.

Organic solvents such as white spirit and cellulose thinners can also be used to remove paint splashes and graffiti, as they will not affect the laminate surface.

Acid based ceramic cleaners and lime scale removers must not be used as they can cause permanent staining. Any spillage or splashes of these cleaners must be washed off the laminate surface immediately.

After using a cleaner, the surface should be rinsed with clean water and dried with a soft cloth.

Proprietary window cleaning products are excellent for avoiding and removing drying marks and smears on the final finish.

Furniture polishes should not be used as a buildup of silicone wax on the surface may result causing eventual discolouration and smear marks, which can be very difficult to remove.

Because of the nature of the surface, deep textured finishes are inevitably more difficult to clean than smooth surfaces and light textures. For stubborn marks in textured surfaces a nylon bristle brush can be used in conjunction with any of the above cleaners to remove deep-seated stains and marks.

AR Plus®

AR Plus laminates should be cleaned with warm soapy water or mild household detergent solution and a soft cloth. Abrasive cleaners must not be used. Solvent cleaners must be used with care and should be tried first on a scrap off-cut to ensure that no surface damage results.

DecoMetal®

All DecoMetal laminates should be cleaned with warm soapy water or mild household detergent solution and a soft cloth. Abrasive cleaners must not be used. Solvent cleaners must be used with care and should be tried first on a scrap off-cut to ensure that no surface damage results. Solvents must not be used on products having polyurethane lacquer finishes.

You're using an unsupported browser and some features may not work properly. Please upgrade to a modern browser, such as Chrome, Edge, Firefox, or Safari.