Hoping to upgrade your furniture, but working with a tight budget? While traditional furniture has a lot to offer, it often comes with a high price tag. If your budget doesn’t allow for real wood furniture, laminate furniture is a great alternative. While it's not as durable as traditional wood furniture, laminate furniture provides style and function for a fraction of the price. With proper care and protection, your laminate furniture can stand the test of time.
When it comes to protection that will keep your laminate furniture in good condition for years to come, look no further than Mulberry Unlimited. When you subscribe, you can get coverage for all your furniture items and more under the same product protection plan. For just $9.99 a month you can be covered in case of spills, breaks, accidents, and more, giving you the ultimate peace of mind.
What is laminate furniture?
Laminate furniture has many of the same qualities and appearances as traditional furniture, with one major difference: it is made of synthetic materials rather than real wood. Laminate furniture imitates the look of traditional furniture, and often even has the look of real wood grain.
While laminate furniture most likely won’t last as long as wood furniture, and does not have the same potential to be restored after it wears out, it does offer some advantages. For example, it’s extremely easy to clean. While real wood is sensitive to moisture, laminate furniture can easily be wiped down and requires little to no care.
Tips for protecting your laminate furniture
Although laminate furniture is not as durable as real wood, with proper maintenance and care, you can make it last for years to come. Here’s what you need to know about protecting your laminate furniture:
Polish it
Applying furniture polish is a helpful way to protect and maintain your laminate furniture. Furniture polish can hide scratches and help your furniture maintain a pristine appearance over time. When selecting a furniture polish to use for your laminate furniture, be sure to avoid oil-based furniture polishes and sprays, and instead opt for a wax-based alternative.
Avoid harsh chemicals
Because laminate furniture is made from synthetic materials, it’s important to realize it needs to be handled differently than wood furniture. When choosing materials to clean your laminate furniture, steer clear of the harsh chemicals, and opt instead for a gentle soap and water mixture. Soap and water will clean your laminate pieces without causing stains, discoloration, or warping.
Wipe with a microfiber cloth
Next, when cleaning, use a soft microfiber cloth to gently wipe the surface of your laminate furniture. Unlike traditional wash cloths or rags, microfiber cloths are made from many small fibers, which create a soft surface that won’t scratch your furniture pieces.
Dry it off
One of the best tips for protecting your laminate furniture is to keep it dry. While temporary moisture is okay (for example, if you spill water on your laminate desk), it’s important to wipe up the water quickly. Water that sits for too long can cause warping and discoloration, and unlike traditional wood furniture, laminate furniture can’t be restored down the road.
Paint it
Have a piece of laminate furniture that’s looking a little worn out? Another way to not only protect your laminate furniture, but give it new life, is by painting it. Paint not only hides scratches, discoloration, and worn out areas of your furniture, but it also provides a fresh, clean surface for an extra layer of protection. If you’re wondering how to paint laminate furniture, the process is simple:
- Clean. First, take the time to thoroughly clean your furniture piece. Dust, dirt, or any other particles will interfere with the paint, causing a rough, unfinished appearance.
- Prime. Next, prime your furniture. Be sure to purchase a primer for laminate furniture. It’s smart to apply several coats to make sure the surface is thoroughly prepared before adding paint.
- Paint. Finally, it’s time to add paint. This step is simple–you can use a spray gun or a brush to add a smooth, even layer of paint to your furniture. It’s always wise to add more than one layer of paint for added protection.
Purchase product protection
Finally, one of the best ways to protect your laminate furniture is by purchasing a furniture protection plan. While we try to avoid damaging our belongings, the reality is that accidents happen, and scratching, warping, or staining the surface of your laminate desk or coffee table is all too easy to do. Luckily, with a product protection plan, you can ensure that you get your money’s worth out of your purchase.
If you’re hoping to purchase protection but not excited about the extra cost, keep in mind that a product protection plan doesn’t have to be expensive. With Mulberry Unlimited, you can get protection for all your furniture items and more for just $9.99 a month. It's an easy way to protect the things you use most, without all the hassle.
