The beauty and resilience of laminate flooring add great value to your home. But the secret to its long-lasting value is the knowledge of how to take care of it. Because its protective layer is flexible to environmental changes.
And speaking of its decoration elements, we refer to under-rugs, carpets, and padding. Rugs are not only decorative but also protect laminate flooring.
By preventing weight, humidity, dirt, and debris from taking impact on laminate flooring. It enhances the laminate floor’s longevity.
Yet, over time rugs can harm your laminate flooring. Because it blocks the UV rays from reaching the floor. So, it causes discoloration under the rug.
Also, it can trap moisture, dirt, and debris which causes discoloration under the rug. And wears down the laminate flooring finish.
In this article, we provided some methods for fixing discolored laminate flooring. So, let’s start.
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Causes of Discolored Laminate Floor Under Rug
Lack of UV-Rays Exposure
When you use rugs on laminate flooring, they block UV rays from reaching the flooring. The lack of UV ray exposure for a long time is the cause of laminate flooring discoloration under the rug.
Also, UV rays offset oxidation, which maintains laminate floors’ colors.
It is evident when you compare the area under the rug to areas without the rug. Because the area without rugs receives more UV than the areas under the rug.
Moisture/Humidity
When moisture is trapped underneath the rug for a long time, it can cause discoloration. Plus, it appears in various colors on the floor.
So, it is common to place rugs with latex or rubber padding underneath to prevent the rug from breathing. Also, preventing air and humidity/moisture from escaping.
Moreover, the rug will trap water or moisture from the footwear going in and out each day. So, you should ensure good ventilation in the room to prevent excess humidity.
Must See: How to Dry Water Under Laminate Flooring? (A Step-By-Step Approach)
Chemical Reaction
Rubber or latex-padded rugs also release different chemicals used to manufacture the padding.
These chemicals are harsh, and with time they react with moisture underneath the rug. And leading to the discoloration of the planks under the rug.
It is evident when you spot a sticky residue left behind after pulling the rug off the floor.
The sticky residue is also a potential scratching risk on the laminate floor. So, the use of a rug without protective padding can scratch the floor, ruining its aesthetics.
Must See: Will Acetone Damage the Laminate Floor? (Explained)
How to Avoid Laminate Floor Discoloration Under the Rug?
Laminate floor discoloration is irreversible and voids the warranty of the product. To keep the laminate floor’s uniform color and aesthetic display, replace the discolored planks.
It is both expensive and cumbersome. Because you will have to buy a new plank, uninstall the discolored plank, and then install the new one.
For that reason, we have shared some tips to help you avoid laminate floor discoloration under the rug. They include:
Use Friendly-Padded Rugs
The type of rug determines its durability, comfort, and friendliness on laminate flooring.
When selecting a rug, it is advisable to opt for one friend for your laminate flooring. The material’s feel and components are potential causes of discoloration and scratches.
We strongly recommend opting for felt rugs. Because, it is made from bamboo, grass, jute, cotton, wool, or rugs with smooth, thin plastic padding.
It reduces scratches and chemical reactions between rugs and laminate flooring. Bearing this in mind, you should avoid rubber or latex-padded rugs with colored dyes.
You can opt for rugs with padding made out of natural rubber because they don’t have colored dyes. But it would be completely safe if you avoid rubberized rugs.
Because they deteriorate over time and leave behind sticky messes. Also, it is a potential cause of scratches and discoloration.
Addressing the Spills on the Rug
Rugs can absorb mishaps or spills on the rug, eventually settling at the bottom. When the laminate floor contacts the rug, a chemical reaction occurs. And it can be very dangerous.
The result is a sticky mess that discolors the rug and causes scratches.
Suppose you accidentally spill any liquid on the rug or laminate flooring. If that happens, you should immediately dab the rug to prevent it from settling. Then, air dries the rug to remove the moisture before returning it to its place.
This quick cleanup routine keeps your laminate happy and looking good under the rug. It’s a small effort that goes a long way in maintaining that spotless appearance.
Letting in UV-Rays
UV rays offset the oxidation of the laminate flooring. So, always open the doors and crack the windows open to let in enough UV rays in the room.
- First, you should remove the rugs from the floor for the area under the rug to receive enough sunlight.
- Second, it would be wise to focus light on areas that have been affected recently.
- Finally, excess UV rays increase discoloration so it is best to reduce them.
Sunlight works like a natural color booster, keeping your floor looking lively.
Vacuuming and Sweeping
Maintain laminate floors by vacuuming and sweeping regularly to remove dirt and debris. It is possible to cause scratches on laminate flooring by both dirt and debris.
When vacuuming laminate flooring, turn off the brush roll. It helps to prevent scratching the surface. Then, use a clean microfiber to dust the mop because it is gentler than a bristle mop or mop with lint.
Regular sweeping and vacuuming keep things clean and prevent potential damage.
Removing the Discolored Plank
If you cannot fix the laminate floor discoloration under the rug, opt for this solution.
Uninstalling and replacing the old discolored plank would be the best option. Because it will transform the uniform aesthetic look of your laminate floor.
But, this can be expensive and time-consuming. If you select the best and most friendly rug and employ the above preventive measures.
Many laminate floors are designed with easy-to-swap planks, so it’s like a DIY puzzle. It’s easy to fix the discoloration – swap out the rug and your laminate floor will look like new!
Read More on Laminate Floors
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- 9 Best Ways to Keep Rugs From Slipping on Laminate Floors (Must-Try!)
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