Karndean - sealed or not - how do I tell?

[Artistic]

Previous owner has installed Karndean in the hallway. How can I tell whether it's sealed or unsealed? Are there any dos or don'ts either way?

[bilbodog]

I have it in my bathroom - as far as I know it comes 'ready to use' - it isn't real wood - just a high quality flooring made to look like it - someone correct me if I am wrong?

[Artistic]

Thank you bil. I've read that unsealed Karndean can come off with steam cleaners so I need to understand this aspect a bit more

[kansasmum]

Well I've had Karndean in my hall and downstairs bathroom and study for 6 years and steam clean it regularly and it looks like new still!

[Artistic]

That's great Kansasmum, but do you know if it's sealed or not? I don't even know what 'sealed' means?!

[mineofuselessinformation]

I had karndean in my last house for over ten years. It was never sealed, just treated with polish occasionally.
It was brilliant stuff. I miss it.

[Artistic]

Thanks mine. Did you ever steam clean it - and did it survive?

When you say 'not sealed' what exactly do you mean?

[bilbodog]

I just wash my floor with a mop and general cleaner when I clean it. I've never polished mine. Have you looked on the kern dean website?

[mineofuselessinformation]

Sorry, only just seen you replied to me!
I mean I never applied anything other than floor polish occasionally. I didn't own a steam cleaner then, but did use a floor scrubber type thing on it which worked well. I can't imagine a steam cleaner would do any harm at all - it's incredibly hard-wearing.

[Artistic]

Thank you. Will be steam cleaning this weekend then!