Reducing plastic use in my kitchen and home is important. Less plastic is better for the earth and my health. Along with replacing single-use snack bags with washable silicone bags, I decided to switch from plastic-based cleaning products to cleaning concentrates in refillable glass bottles. I wasn’t willing to compromise on cleaning results, however, and I wanted the cleaning products to smell good. Enter: Grove Collaborative. I’ve used their cleaning products since August and they’re still my preferred brand of eco-friendly cleaning products. Here’s my Grove Co. review.
Grove Collaborative is an online retailer that specializes in natural household and personal products. Along with its line of household cleaning products, the retailer carries everyday favorites from eco-friendly brands like Mrs. Meyer’s, Method, Stasher and more.
Everything from hand soap to shower cleaner and lip balm meets strict standards for being non-toxic, effective, sustainable and cruelty-free. Grove is a wonderful destination to discover new brands and must-have favorites.
Grove Co. cleaning products take both cleaning and eco-consciousness seriously. The brand champions its products as free from plastic and harsh chemicals like parabens, phthalates, phosphates, formaldehyde, ammonia and chlorine bleach. In alone, Grove customers kept 1.93 million pounds of plastic from getting tossed into landfills. The cleaning concentrates and hand soaps prevented another 994,776 pounds of waste. That’s a really good start!
The Grove Co. cleaning collection includes multi-purpose kitchen and bathroom cleaners, glass cleaners and dishwashing liquid in delicious fragrances. The cleaning concentrates (which come in a pack of two one-ounce glass bottles) and reusable glass spray bottles are sold separately. The idea is that you buy a spray bottle once and refill it with cleaning concentrates over time—which saves plastic, money and shipping costs.
Grove Co. cleaning products sound like a smart eco-friendly cleaning solution. But do they actually tackle stains, residue, dust and grime? And, would they leave my home smelling clean for more than a few minutes? I’ve been using the service since August . I rely on their eco-friendly solutions for my weekly deep cleaning, laundry and window washing.
I use this cleaning spray multiple times a day. Coffee spill on the marble countertop? Spritz and wipe. Olive oil splatter on the glass range after dinner? Spritz and wipe. Toothpaste in the bathroom sink? Spritz, spritz and wipe. I’ve gone through almost every multipurpose cleaning spray in the cleaning aisle, tossing out a plastic bottle every time it’s empty.
For my initial test of the Grove Co. multipurpose cleaning concentrates, I emptied the contents from the one-ounce glass bottle concentrate into the reusable glass spray bottle, added tap water and gave it a good shake. Then, I cleared all the small appliances off the countertops and sprayed them down. Immediately, the orange and rosemary scent gave a wonderful, herb-forward smell that was clean without the chemicals.
I waited a few seconds and wiped the cleaner off with a microfiber towel. The formula immediately cut through the grease and residue that gathered on my kitchen surfaces. I moved on to the stainless steel refrigerator and watched fingerprints disappear without streaks. Same thing on the stainless steel sink fixtures and even inside the microwave, which had some icky baked-on food stains.
Impressed with the kitchen results, I took the Grove Co. multipurpose cleaner to the living room and bedroom to dust furniture and appliances. The essential oils didn’t leave residue behind and smelled fresh. I even spritzed some cleaner on a spot on the vinyl floor. Success!
If you’re going to take just one product from this Grove Co. review, the Multipurpose Cleaner is it.
Additionally, here’s why I like the Grove Co. reusable cleaning glass spray bottle. The silicone sleeve is available in multiple colors so you can color code your glass cleaner bottle from your tile cleaner bottle. The bottles are labeled, too. The silicone sleeve also prevents slips and subsequent breakage.
Some refillable spray bottles have a cheap spray top. Not with Grove Co. I’ve used these bottles daily and haven’t had any issues with leaks or drips. The spray is strong and evenly applies the product, which is extra important for the glass cleaner when you don’t want an inconsistent spray.
Confession time: my patio door is covered in water droplets and streaks. The real confession is I’ve never once tried to clean it because, well, I’m lazy. It’s the patio door, after all, and it’s just going to get dirty when it rains again, which is why it’s the perfect victim for my Grove Co. review.
Thankfully, I had nothing to worry about. The Grove Co. glass cleaner concentrates formula is almost thick, but buffs out to a streak-free shine with paper towels. I was shocked at how quickly it cleaned my patio door and moved right along to removing water spots from the bathroom vanity mirror. I even went all in and cleaned my interior windows—a chore I usually skip.
I worry about using harsh chemicals to clean the shower. The combination of a steaming hot shower and toxic chemicals feels unsafe. Plus, bathrooms don’t have the best ventilation. But cleaning soap scum is a serious job. Would the Grove Co. Tub and Tile Cleaner Concentrate be up to the task?
Just like the multipurpose and glass cleaners, the tub and tile cleaners come in two 1-ounce glass bottles to be poured into a spray bottle and mixed with water. To test the product, I removed all of my shampoo bottles from the shower shelves and liberally spritzed the whole shower down. Out of habit, I held my breath to avoid breathing in chemicals. But the lavender and thyme scent smelled refreshing! No burning eyes or coughing lungs.
As for performance, the tub and tile cleaner eliminated soap scum on the stainless steel faucet, dried hair mask on the walls and made quick work of dust and debris that gathered on the shower floor. I wiped everything down with a sponge and was done in a matter of minutes. The trick with this stuff is to use it a few times a week to prevent soap scum buildup. And since it smells so good, that’s an easy ask.
The house isn’t truly clean unless the hamper is empty. To test Grove Co. laundry detergent sheets, I did multiple loads of laundry in my front-loading washing machine. For the first test, I tossed a single laundry detergent sheet in the machine’s drum and turned the washing cycle to whites with hot water.
The laundry sheet dissolved completely in about 30 seconds and created sudsy bubbles scented with lavender. Then I added the soiled white towels, closed the front and waited for the cycle to finish. I appreciate how fast and mess-free it is to use the laundry sheets—no measuring or pouring required.
I pulled the wet towels from the washing machine and immediately noticed a subtle lavender scent. A few spots of black mascara smears were cleaned from the towels. After drying the towels with the same wool dryer balls I always use, the towels felt fluffy and soft.
I also washed sweaty workout clothes and a load of denim in cold water with the Grove Co. laundry detergent sheets. Sometimes I have issues with laundry detergent not completely dissolving in cold water and leaving a white film on my dark clothes—grrrr. But that wasn’t a problem in my Grove Co. laundry detergent sheets tests. The laundry sheets are my go-to for washing sheets and towels that I want lightly scented with lavender. For large loads of laundry, use two laundry detergent sheets.
Grove Collaborative’s products are free from synthetic fragrances. And they smell really, really good thanks to essential oils like orange, rosemary, citron and white rose (there are even cozy fall scents). Bonus: Grove Co. is at Target and offers a customizable cleaning subscription option. Pick and choose what products you want delivered to your door and when. We love the accessibility!
Grove offers a wide variety of products, including dish soap and walnut scouring pads. The efficacy and scents of Grove Co. products are also crowd-pleasers, especially the tub and tile concentrates and multipurpose sprays.
While some messes may need a more heavy-duty, chemical-based cleaner for extra tough residue and stains, each Grove Co. product is comparable to mainstream cleaners.
We love Grove Co.’s commitment to sustainability, which includes its refillable, glass-bottled products, which reduce single-use plastics. The brand’s efforts have kept over 15 million pounds of plastic from entering the environment, landfills and recycling centers.
Those seeking greener cleaning solutions will also appreciate the eco-friendly aluminum concentrates, which are as stylish as they are sustainable.
The beauty of Grove Collaborative is orders are completely customizable. You can subscribe to recurring deliveries for household cleaning products like the cleaning concentrates so they arrive before you run out.
Or, buy what you need now and return when it’s time to stock up. Whatever you choose, Grove Co. makes it easy to edit shipments you’re subscribed to and discover more eco-friendly cleaning brands.
Grove Co. offers an easy-to-use subscription service with many great perks, including free shipping, frequent membership discounts, seasonal promotions and access to Grove’s new and exclusive products. While the $20 annual fee may raise a few eyebrows, many find the benefits worth the cost.
However, be advised that there are re-enrollment fees if you suspend or cancel your subscription.
Grove Co. has a great customer service department that we found responsive, particularly when resolving delayed shipments or missing products. The brand has occasional inventory shortages that can delay orders from shipping. Some reviewers have reported wanting more transparent stock levels to avoid delayed shipments.
We love Grove Co.’s cleaning products, but they aren’t the only eco-friendly cleaners on the market. For this roundup, we compared Mrs. Meyers and Method with Grove.
Mrs. Meyers is a well-known green cleaning brand that offers basic products like dish and hand soap, multi-surface cleaner, laundry detergent, fabric softener and more. When comparing this brand to Grove Co., we found that each had a vast inventory of plant-based cleaning products for the whole home.
However, Mrs. Meyers comes in plastic containers, which makes it far less sustainable than Grove Co., and some products contain some harsh chemicals that may not be ideal for use around children and pets. Plus, we compared the price points of these two brands and noticed that Grove Co. had a much slimmer price point compared to Mrs. Meyers, making it ideal for the budget-conscious user.
Next, we looked at Method cleaners. This brand is well-known and trusted for its environmentally friendly, plant-based cleaning products that contain no harsh chemicals or VOCs, much like Grove Co. Both of these brands also offer disinfecting products for killing pesky bacteria.
While this brand offers the same basic home products as Grove Co., it uses plastic bottles for its products, which can increase the use of single-use plastics. However, if you use their refill or recycling programs, the bottles can be reused or disposed of correctly. The refilling process can be more arduous than Grove Co.’s since this involves sending the product back to the brand.
Finally, we compared the brands’ price points and discovered that Method is the most expensive compared to Grove and Mrs. Meyers. Overall, each of these brands has a great lineup of effective cleaning products for all around the home. But Grove left the competition behind in terms of price point, eco-friendliness and reliability.
OK, here’s the real test. After my first round of cleaning my entire house with Grove Co. Cleaning products, I took the dog for a walk and ran some errands. When I returned home a few hours later I opened the door, took a big whiff and smelled…essential oils! I love returning home to the scent of a freshly cleaned house, and Grove Co. delivers every. single. time.
Since my first test in August , it’s still my preferred brand of cleaning products, especially the multipurpose cleaning concentrates. One refill lasts multiple months, and I’ve experimented with the holiday scents, which are also lovely. The refillable glass bottles get daily use between the bathroom and kitchen and still hold up with a strong spray—no broken or chipped glass either.
Before Grove Co., I’d always assumed eco-friendly cleaning products had to either be prohibitively expensive or not work well. Grove Co. proved me wrong. I estimate these sustainable products have saved me from tossing about a dozen plastic bottles in the recycling bin (so far).
Ready to join me and make the switch to eco-friendly cleaning? Grove Co. cleaning products are available through Grove Collaborative via an easy subscription model. You can also find Grove Co. cleaning products at Target, Walmart and Amazon The collection is pretty affordable, too. Prices range between $5 and $15.
In the last year, I’ve also used Grove Co. to try new products, like Molly’s Suds oxygen whitener as a safer alternative to bleach. Happily, I have found low prices on household essentials like dishwasher detergent packs, Method stain remover and beeswax wrap for leftovers. Trust me, you can’t go wrong with making the switch to Grove Co. Happy cleaning!
Yes, you can use Grove without a membership. After your initial order, you can subscribe to recurring deliveries on certain items. A Grove subscription does not cost money and it’s accessible without a membership. The optional VIP membership ($19.99 per year), however, grants free shipping on orders over $29, gifts and exclusive sales and promotions throughout the year—along with some extra perks, too.
While both Grove and Mrs. Meyer’s rely on the power of essential oils and plant-powered ingredients, they aren’t the same brand. Grove Collaborative is an online marketplace that sells eco-friendly brands like Mrs. Meyer’s while offering its own line of natural household cleaners.
Yes! Cleaning products sold on Grove Collaborative meet stringent standards that rule them non-toxic, ethically made and cruelty-free.
Madi Koetting has five years of experience as a shopping editor and pioneer of Taste of Home’s social media team, with additional experience at Reader’s Digest, Family Handyman, Better Homes & Gardens and Stylecaster. She specializes in home products, including kitchen appliances, cookware, cleaning tools, furniture and decor. Given her experience with the home and lifestyle industries, she is a reliable source of advice when considering Grove Co. products.
Alexandra Mantella, Content Updates Editor at Taste of Home, updated and contributed research to this piece. She has over five years of experience in product testing, research and commerce writing. Previously, she served as a commerce content update editor at Bob Vila.
Find descriptions, definitions, how-to information, and more for Evoke laminate, luxury vinyl, rigid core, and Surge® flooring.
CategoryMost of the damage pets cause to hardwood flooring is fine scratches in the finish, which can give the surface of the floor a dulled or etched appearance. Evoke floors have a finish layer similar to that of hardwood floors, and they are susceptible to the same type of damage. And while these finishes are scratch-resistant, they are not scratch-proof.
Pet nails can cause deeper gouges or indents in wood flooring; that is less of an issue with laminate, luxury vinyl, and rigid core floors as they have greater impact resistance than wood.
GREENGUARD is a low emissions certification program owned and managed by Underwriters Laboratories (UL), one of the largest and most respected product safety organizations in the world. GREENGUARD has two certification levels: GREENGUARD and GREENGUARD Gold. All Evoke flooring has achieved Gold status.
GREENGUARD Gold certification complies with CA but under stricter certification requirements than any other emissions program. It also establishes a very low Total VOC level and sets emissions for specific VOCs at 1/100th of the US Federal Government’s Threshold Limit Value (TLV) for occupational exposure. In UL’s words, GREENGUARD Gold certification is “designed to define low-emitting materials suitable for environments where people, particularly children and sensitive adults, spend extended periods of time, in particular schools and healthcare facilities.”
GREENGUARD Gold certification is also recognized by LEED as a qualifying attribute for low emitting materials credits. For more information visit ul.com/gg.
Laminate, luxury vinyl, rigid core are all categories of manufactured flooring.
Waterproof laminate are hard surface flooring products manufactured from several layers of material fused together with heat and pressure to form rigid, fixed size boards. The primary material used is HDF* (high density fiberboard.). Traditional water resistant laminate uses water based adhesives, where our waterproof laminate uses resins and epoxy as a binder, which creates a more waterproof structure Luxury vinyl is also a hard surface flooring material but has the added benefit of being “softer underfoot”. Luxury vinyl is used in homes but most often in commercial environments where products need to stand up to heavy use conditions like high foot traffic or rolling loads. The surface of the product is protected by a high performance wear layer and durable UV-cured coating. High quality products like Evoke are made from real vinyl; some inferior brands may use composite or filler material. Luxury vinyl products are also made in fixed size tiles or boards, but they are flexible and come in a variety of installation options.
Rigid core is a newcomer to the manufactured flooring world. It combines the very best features of both laminate and luxury vinyl. The boards are rigid planks with a click together joint system like laminate, but they’re constructed from a waterproof vinyl composite material, which gives them the ‘install it anywhere’ flexibility of vinyl flooring.
A common feature of nearly all laminate, luxury vinyl and rigid core flooring is that they have the appearance of being made from wood, stone or other natural materials.
*Technical note: HDF is a term used by industry to describe a type of MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard) with specific weight and strength properties designed for specific applications – like laminate flooring cores. MDF is a technical and legal label that covers a broad category of fiberboard products and is, therefore, the term used by regulators to cover the entire category. In CARB (California Air Resource Board)/TSCA (Toxic Substances Control Act) terms, it is all classed under MDF, as a result, we refer to MDF when discussing indoor air quality. Outside of indoor air quality language, we follow industry custom and refer to it as HDF, as do most laminate manufacturers.
If you’re flooring a ‘wet room’ like a laundry area or bathroom, luxury vinyl, rigid core, or waterproof laminate are the better choices. Laminate is not recommended in wet areas.
Otherwise, it’s largely a matter of personal preference based on appearance and feel. For example, do you prefer a soft or hard surface? Each flooring has similar wear, durability, and performance characteristics. If in doubt, contact us or an Evoke dealer near you.
AC stands for Abrasion Class. It is a standardized test to determine the “normal” wear and tear tolerance levels of the product being tested. Most of our laminate is rated as an AC4, which is suitable for Moderate Foot Traffic. Our waterproof laminate is rated as an AC5, which is suitable for heavy foot traffic.
Regular sweeping and vacuuming are sufficient to keep your Evoke floor clean. Steam mops should not be used on Surge® flooring. Also, avoid using soaps, waxes, and topical polishes. For a more thorough cleaning, use a product recommended for Evoke flooring.
Watch the video to learn floor care best practices.
Generally speaking, laminates should not be installed in an area larger than 40’ in any direction. If the room is larger, a T-mold transition strip will need to be incorporated into the floor.
Goto Colvoke to know more.
Regular sweeping and vacuuming are sufficient to keep the floor clean. Steam mops should not be used on laminate flooring. Also, avoid using soaps, waxes, and topical polishes. For a more thorough cleaning, use a product recommended for laminate flooring. We recommend Pro Series Therapy floor care system by Metropolitan.
Learn more about Pro Series Therapy products and caring for your Evoke floor or watch the video to learn floor care best practices.
The Pro Series: Cleaning Engineered, Vinyl and Laminate Floors
Depending on the collection, you may require an underlayment. In cases, where an underlayment is already attached, no additional underlayment is required. If you are installing over concrete or plywood, different underlayment options are required. Please consult the flooring installation instructions or contact technical services at Metropolitan, the manufacturer and distributor of Evoke, for additional information on what underlayment you may require for your specific installation.
Yes, all Evoke floors are approved for use over radiant heat. Refer to the appropriate flooring installation guide for special instructions and use of the floors over radiant heat systems.
Installing laminate or Surge® flooring is generally a DIY friendly project, however you will require specialized tools, such as a tapping block, pull bar/pry bar, and a few different types of cutting blades. You should be confident in the use of all specialized tools prior to installation. If you have any doubt on whether you can accomplish this yourself, please reach out to the dealer you purchased the floor from for expert installation services.
Yes. The principal component of a laminate floor is the HDF core which, like any wood-based material, can absorb moisture and deform. Evoke laminate floors all use premium grade HDF (High Density Fiberboard) with very low absorption rates, which means they have a certain measure of moisture resistance, but as a general rule laminate floors should not be exposed to moisture.
No, the thickness of a laminate floor is not an indicator of quality. A thicker HDF (High Density Fiberboard) layer is often used in products that have a deep or aggressive surface treatment, such as ‘deep embossing’, where the core needs to be thick enough to accommodate the manufacturing of the surface effects. As far as performance, a thin, good quality HDF core will perform just as well as a thick one.
Generally, our warehouses are climate controlled, however the transportation to and from your home, may involve a truck or delivery service that exposes the product to the environment. Our warranty requires that your home’s interior environment be between 30-50% relative humidity and between 60-80°F. (15 - 26°C). Once the site is under control as previously outlined, material brought to the site should have a minimum of 24-48 hours for the flooring to become balanced to the install sites interior temperature and humidity. If stacking the boxes, cross-stack to ensure good air flow between layers.
Do not open the boxes; leave closed until ready to commence the installation, and then open only as needed.
No. Powered spinning mops, steam mops, and beater bar/power vacuum heads that spin are not suitable for use on laminate flooring, as prolonged use may actually “polish” the floor. Steam mops should be avoided all together, as the steam produced is basically moisture vaporized at high pressure and high heat that is forced into micro spaces between the joints in your flooring. Excessive use in one area or prolonged use may cause the HDF (High Density Fiberboard) core to absorb that moisture, causing damage to the locking system and potentially compromising the integrity of the floor and/or cause surface defects or a breakdown of the core. This breakdown could lead to the planks being easy to scratch, dent or chip—all of which are not covered under our warranty.
No. Laminate flooring is meant to “float”. That means that the floors must be free to expand and contract with seasonal changes in temperature and environment. When you install cabinets, kitchen islands or anything “fixed” in place, this creates a “pinch point”, where the floors may bind when they expand or contract. That “binding” may cause things like gapping, end lifting or tenting-to name a few. As a general rule, proper expansion space must be maintained when flooring meets any vertical obstruction.
T-mold transition strips are recommended at all doorways 32” wide or less when installing a floating click flooring into connected spaces. Failure to use the recommended transitions may result in flooring separations at or near doorways.
Yes, provided it meets the specifications required for subfloor preparation for the product being installed. Bear in mind that plywood and OSB substrates tend to get roughed up during construction, and any imperfections in the surface will eventually telegraph through to the surface of the floor. Consider using a surface preparation product to provide a smooth installation surface.
Yes, all Evoke floors are approved for use over radiant heat. Refer to the installation guide for special instructions and use of the floors over radiant heat systems.
It depends on many factors: the type of traffic, the location, installation requirements, and more. Contact us or an Evoke dealer near you for help choosing the best installation method.
Rubber-backed or latex-backed mats should not be used directly on a luxury vinyl floor unless they are marked “colorfast” by the mat manufacturer. Many of these products contain chemicals in the non-slip backing which can permanently stain the floor.
If using any Evoke luxury vinyl glue down product, there is no limit to the size of area that can be installed.
Yes. The finish on Evoke Luxury Vinyl floors contains a UV inhibitor to help minimize the effects of exposure to sunlight but fading may occur over time. To reduce fading, use shades or blinds to minimize the floor’s exposure to direct sunlight.
Yes, but the manufacturer of the particle board must warrant that underlayment grade and warranted for installation of glue down vinyl flooring. Some older styles of particleboard tended to emit a stain that bled through into the flooring above.
Evoke luxury vinyl floors have a textured surface which helps reduce slipperiness when wet. There is also a slip resistance factor in the polyurethane finish. Grease or other contaminants may also contribute to making the surface slippery. For the slip resistance of a particular style, please consult your Evoke dealer.
This is a bit complicated. Luxury vinyl planks (or tiles) are, in themselves, completely waterproof and cannot be damaged by exposure to moisture. For that reason they are an excellent choice for laundry rooms, bathrooms, kitchens and other areas where moisture is around.
However, when LV is installed over concrete, there is a possibility that moisture under the floor – whether it seeps down from above or is emitted from the slab – can react with chemicals in the concrete to create high levels of alkali, which can degrade the vinyl. In other words, simple moisture can’t affect the LV, but when it comes into contact with concrete, it can give rise to a problem.
For this reason, installations over concrete should always include moisture testing and moisture control measures for the slab. Installations in ‘wet rooms’ should also include measures to ensure that the seams and perimeter of the floor are well sealed to prevent moisture from getting under the luxury vinyl onto the subfloor below.
Yes, with certain cautions. Luxury vinyl will expand and contract when exposed to extreme temperature fluctuations. If using a glue down product, ask the installer to use a hard set acrylic adhesive or epoxy adhesive, which performs better in a situation where there may be extreme temperature variations. Evoke can not warrant installations that fall outside of the acclimation requirements stated in our product installation instructions.
Yes. Glue down products can be ‘reverse laid’ easily.
Yes. Cabinets can be installed on LVT flooring that has been bonded to the substrate and that does not have an additional acoustical underlayment or attached pad.
Typically, no cabinets should be installed on a floating floor. For possible exceptions contact Technical Services.
Yes, but with conditions. Note: the installation of any type of material on walls or ceilings will require the use of an adhesive warranted for this type of installation. A wall of cieling installation is not warranted by Evoke.
Luxury vinyl (LV) planks, or tiles, are in themselves completely waterproof and cannot be damaged by exposure to moisture. That is why they are an excellent choice for laundry rooms, bathrooms, kitchens and other areas where moisture is present.
However, when LV is installed over concrete, there is a possibility that high levels of moisture vapor and alkali salts emitted from the slab may degrade the vinyl flooring or adhesive. In other words, simple moisture can’t affect the LV, but when if the moisture comes into contact with concrete, it can cause a problem.
For this reason, installations over concrete should always include moisture testing and moisture control measures for the slab. Installations in ‘wet rooms’ should also include measures to ensure that edges at vertical obstacles, and the perimeter of the floor, are well sealed to prevent moisture getting under the LV onto the subfloor below.
Yes, Evoke offers an assortment of flooring trims and accessories for our full line of rigid core floors, including overlap stair nose, flush-mount stair nose, end cap, T-mold, overlap reducer, and quarter-round trims. View available installation and finishing accessories.
Generally speaking, rigid core flooring should not be installed in an area larger than 60’ in any direction. If the room is larger, a T-mold transition strip will need to be incorporated into the floor.
At present, all Evoke rigid core flooring has an integral underlayment attached to the underside of every board. These products require no additional underlayment.
Yes, all Evoke floors are approved for use over radiant heat. Refer to the installation guide for special instructions and use of the floors over radiant heat systems.
Yes, because of the nature of the product you may need to purchase a little extra to make sure the install works out. If installing an area less than 750 sqft, add a cutting allowance of 15% to your order. If installing an area of more than 750 sqft, add a standard 10% cutting allowance. Having a few excess boards on hand is always a good idea should you need to do a board replacement.
Although rigid core is waterproof and not susceptible to humidity like wood-based products, it can be susceptible to extreme heat that can expand the flooring. For the best performance of a floating installation, make sure the flooring has adequate expansion space at all vertical surfaces and keep the ambient temperature between 65°f-85°f (18°c-30°c).
If you’re planning to install rigid core in areas that experience temperatures outside this range (like sunrooms), a full-spread glue-down installation is recommended (the attached pad will need to be removed). For more information contact Technical Services at Metropolitan. Metropolitan is the manufacturer and distributor of Evoke flooring and its Technical Services Team are Evoke flooring experts.
The Evoke warranty does not cover any aspect of installation, including labor. The Evoke warranty assures the product against manufacturing defects and the finish for durability. For more information, please consult the Warranty.
Yes, in several ways. As a hard surface flooring, it will not hold fur and dander and is very easy to get thoroughly clean. Evoke rigid core is not affected by pet urine, but more aggressive liquids such as sulfuric acid and lacquer thinner will affect the surface.
The finish on Evoke rigid core floors is scratch-resistant but not scratch-proof, and pet nails may cause some surface scratching. Keeping the nails of pets trimmed will help reduce this.
Yes, but the planks will need to be glued in place and the job will require some additional preparation. The attached underlay will need to be removed and the back of the boards cleaned of any residue or debris to ensure a good adhesive bond. You will also need to purchase the flush-fitting stair nose for the flooring (available from your dealer). Please note that the Evoke warranty does not cover any form of installation.
Yes. The finish on Evoke rigid core flooring contains a UV inhibitor to help minimize the effects of exposure to sunlight but some fading and discoloration may occur over time. To reduce the risk, use shades or blinds to minimize the floor’s exposure to direct sunlight.
With its built-in acoustic underlayment, Evoke rigid core already has excellent sound-dampening properties. Use of additional acoustic cushion under any Evoke rigid core is not approved.
Regular sweeping and vacuuming are sufficient to keep the floor clean. For a more thorough cleaning, use a product recommended for vinyl flooring. We recommend Pro Series Therapy floor care and maintenance products.
Watch the video to learn floor care best practices.
The Pro Series: Cleaning Engineered, Vinyl and Laminate Floors
Evoke rigid core floors have a textured surface which helps reduce slipperiness when wet. Grease or other contaminants may also contribute to making the surface slippery. For the slip resistance of a particular style, please consult an Evoke dealer near you.
Rubber-backed or latex-backed mats should not be used directly on rigid core floors unless marked “colorfast” by the mat manufacturer. Many of these products contain chemicals in the non-slip backing, which can permanently stain the floor.
T-mold transition strips are recommended at all doorways 32” wide or less when installing rigid core click flooring into connected spaces. Failure to use the recommended transitions may result in flooring separations at or near doorways.
No. Our waterproof laminate flooring is meant to “float”. That means that the floors must be free to expand and contract with seasonal changes in temperature and environment. When you install cabinets, kitchen islands or anything “fixed” in place, this creates a “pinch point”, where the floors may bind when they expand or contract. That “binding” may cause things like gapping, end lifting or tenting-to name a few. As a general rule, proper expansion space must be maintained when flooring meets any vertical obstruction.
Generally, our warehouses are climate controlled, however the transportation to and from your home, may involve a truck or delivery service that exposes the product to the environment. Our warranty requires that your home’s interior environment be between 30-50% relative humidity and between 60-80°F.
(15 - 26°C). Once the site is under control as previously outlined, material brought to the site should have a minimum of 24-48 hours for the flooring to become balanced to the install sites interior temperature and humidity. If stacking the boxes, cross-stack to ensure good air flow between layers.
Do not open the boxes; leave closed until ready to commence the installation, and then open only as needed.
Depending on the collection, you may require an underlayment. In cases, where an underlayment is already attached, no additional underlayment is required. If you are installing over concrete or plywood, different underlayment options are required. Please consult the flooring installation instructions or contact technical services at Metropolitan, the manufacturer and distributor of Evoke, for additional information on what underlayment you may require for your specific installation.
Yes, all Evoke floors are approved for use over radiant heat. Refer to the appropriate flooring installation guide for special instructions and use of the floors over radiant heat systems.
Installing waterproof laminate flooring is generally a DIY friendly project, however you will require specialized tools, such as a tapping block, pull bar/pry bar, and a few different types of cutting blades. You should be confident in the use of all specialized tools prior to installation. If you have any doubt on whether you can accomplish this yourself, please reach out to the dealer you purchased the floor from for expert installation services.
For waterproof laminate floors, the core has been specially formulated to withstand moisture, however it is not waterproof from below. That is to say, if you had a flood, the top surface is safe from moisture for up to 24 hours according to NALFA, however moisture has a way of finding the path of least resistance and in some cases, standing water (especially a lot of it) will start to follow the flooring bevels to the walls, where it will likely travel under the baseboards and then under the floors. When this happens, the floors are in most cases – not salvageable and more likely an insurance claim at this point. Rest assured though, general day to day spills that are cleaned up within a reasonable amount of time will not harm your laminate or waterproof laminate floor.
No, the thickness of a laminate floor is not an indicator of quality. A thicker HDF (High Density Fiberboard) layer is often used in products that have a deep or aggressive surface treatment, such as ‘deep embossing’, where the core needs to be thick enough to accommodate the manufacturing of the surface effects. As far as performance, a thin, good quality HDF core will perform just as well as a thick one.
No. Powered spinning mops, steam mops, and beater bar/power vacuum heads that spin are not suitable for use on waterproof laminate flooring, as prolonged use may actually “polish” the floor. Steam mops should be avoided all together, as the steam produced is basically moisture vaporized at high pressure and high heat that is forced into micro spaces between the joints in your flooring. Excessive use in one area or prolonged use may cause the HDF (High Density Fiberboard) core to absorb that moisture, causing damage to the locking system and potentially compromising the integrity of the floor and/or cause surface defects or a breakdown of the core. This breakdown could lead to the planks being easy to scratch, dent or chip—all of which are not covered under our warranty.
Regular sweeping and vacuuming are sufficient to keep the floor clean. Steam mops should not be used on waterproof laminate flooring. Also, avoid using soaps, waxes, and topical polishes. For a more thorough cleaning, use a product recommended for laminate flooring. We recommend Pro Series Therapy floor care system by Metropolitan. Learn more about Pro Series Therapy products and caring for your Evoke floor.
Watch the video to learn floor care best practices.
The Pro Series: Cleaning Engineered, Vinyl and Laminate Floors
T-mold transition strips are recommended at all doorway 32” wide or less when installing a floating click flooring into connected spaces. Failure to use the recommended transitions may result in flooring separations at or near doorways.
Contact us to discuss your requirements of Colvoke Kitchen and Bathroom Products. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.