Laminate flooring has come a long way in recent years and is now a viable, affordable alternative. It may be made to seem like any kind of wood, including rare and exotic hardwoods, as well as stone and other flooring types.

What do you use to clean laminate flooring? In contrast to hardwood floors, laminate flooring is durable, seldom gets scratched, and never expands or contracts.

There are several ways to clean laminate flooring. You can use a gentle cleanser made for laminate floors, or a homemade solution of rubbing alcohol, water, and dish soap. A spray mop or steam mop can also be used, but be careful not to use too much water. It’s important to always follow up by wiping the area with a dry cloth to prevent any damage from excess moisture.

Video: How To Clean Laminate Wood Floors & Care Tips

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Laminate floor cleaning tips: 11 dos and don’ts

Do you want to know how to maintain the beautiful appearance of laminate floors for years? Even though your laminate flooring may look similar to hardwood floors, you shouldn’t clean them similarly. The technique to make those oak planks sparkle could be better for cleaning laminate floors.

Unlike hardwood floors, laminate flooring requires specific maintenance because who cannot simply repair damage or stains by refinishing the surface? Maintaining and treating your flooring with care is essential to prevent costly replacements. (So, no stilettos, please!)

 Here’s how to clean laminate floors like an expert, whether you have brand-new laminate flooring or want your existing surface to appear as good as the day you installed it.

1. Be sure to read the laminate flooring’s cleaning recommendations.

Consult the manufacturer’s directions for your floors before you start cleaning. Based on the materials employed, the brand might have specific recommendations. Most businesses’ websites include comprehensive product manuals and instructions for cleaning laminate floors.

What do you use to clean laminate flooring

2. Keep spills from remaining on the floor.

Respond to spills when they occur. Wipe up spills as soon as possible to prevent discoloration. It is crucial to limit exposure to liquids because they can harm laminate flooring.

3. Avoid using cutting tools.

Avoid using anything abrasive on laminate flooring because they can scratch (steel wool, for example). It would help if you used a dust mop or broom with soft bristles to sweep debris. Use a vacuum attachment without a beater bar or rotating brush to avoid scratching surfaces when vacuuming.

4. Every two months, carefully wipe your laminate floor.

Mop your laminate flooring every two months to keep them looking new. Microfiber damp mops are soft enough to be used on laminate flooring. Wring out a standard mop until it is nearly dry if you intend to use one.

5. Use moderate amounts of water.

Who shouldn’t do traditional mopping on laminate flooring since the water can harm the seams (like swelling or floor bubbling)? Water pools can also result in fading or stains.

6. Avoid using cleaning agents that aren’t explicitly marketed for laminate.

Oil-based cleaning supplies have the potential to harm the flooring’s protective coating and produce stains and residue. Apply laminate cleaner sparingly to a mop or microfiber cloth rather than the floor if you must. On laminate floors, you should never use wax or polish.

7. Do give a DIY laminate floor cleaner some thought.

At home, you can create your floor cleaner. Mix one teaspoon clear, unscented dish soap with one gallon of hot water for everyday cleaning. Added choices? Instead, mix a gallon of hot water with a cup of white vinegar if your floor has a light film or waxy coating (which develops over time when the incorrect cleaning solutions are used). The film will be broken down by vinegar, a natural cleaning agent, without harming the laminate surface. (Note: These do-it-yourself fixes fall under the same water-related regulations. Never let water collect on the floor, and keep your mop slightly damp.)

8. stock up on everyday materials for cleaning laminate.

The best cleaning techniques for challenging stains, like candle wax or ink, are readily available. For example, to remove chewing gum and candle wax after it has been set:

1. Use a plastic knife, scraper, or credit card.
2. Apply a plastic bag of ice to the substances.
3. The rub can use alcohol to remove crayons, paint, ink, and nail polish.

9. Guard the surface against further harm.

Add furniture pads under the legs of chairs and tables to prevent additional scratches, especially if they are moved regularly. Rugs and floor mats, especially near entrances, will assist stop wear and tear.

10. Pay attention to setting up a welcome mat.

Outside dirt that is tracked inside not only makes your floor dirty but also has the potential to harm the floor. Grit, such as that found on a dirty shoe sole, is one of your laminate floor’s biggest adversaries since it dulls, scratches, and does other harm. A welcome mat that allows guests to thoroughly wipe their shoes off will stop grime.

11. Trim your pet’s nails regularly.

This is a “how to care for your floor” tip rather than a “how to clean laminate flooring” tip: Trim your pet’s nails regularly! The nails on your dog or cat could damage your laminate floor. Trimming your pet’s nails will stop them from scratching your floor as they roam.

How to Clean Laminate Floors of Stains

It’s best practice to clear up spills on most surfaces as soon as they occur. Fortunately, laminate flooring resists stains well. However, your first line of defense should be a laminate stain remover recommended by the manufacturer ($7, The Home Depot).

Using natural ingredients like vinegar, baking soda, or liquid soap in recipes can also aid in the removal of stains from laminate flooring. Avoid using abrasive sponges and scrubbers like steel wool when cleaning laminate flooring, as these can leave lasting marks.

Try these DIY solutions for tough stains:

Blood: Use a window cleaner to remove blood, then wipe with a moist cloth. After this procedure, wipe with a dry cloth, much like before mopping.

Candle wax: Use a plastic knife to scrape the molten wax off after it has hardened delicately. Never attempt this with a metal knife!

Chewing gum: Freeze the glob using an ice pack in a plastic bag, then scrape the dried gum with a plastic knife. Once more, avoid using a metal knife.

Tar and grease: Use mineral spirits to dissolve grease.

Remove any shoe scuffs or other blemishes using a pencil eraser.

Rub what should use alcohol to remove ink and crayon.

Rub alcohol or what can use a minimal amount of nail polish remover to remove nail polish.

Red wine: Use a moist cloth to wipe off the red wine.

Remove shoe polish using rubbing alcohol.

After mopping, laminate flooring may become streaky, gritty, or sticky, giving the impression that it is even more unclean than it was before. Regain your laminate floor cleaning and polishing skills. Your artificial wood floor can be made to appear to be

Hardwood equivalent While it is true that laminate floors can occasionally be challenging to mop, several alternatives don’t necessitate breaking out the crowbar and replacing the boards.

When Should Laminate Floors Be Cleaned?

Daily dust mopping or vacuuming of laminate flooring is recommended to eliminate the grit and grime on the surface that can scratch the floor and harm its finish. Never overlook the area rugs’ undersides, which might harbor debris that can harm the flooring. What must clean spills and muddy messes right away? It would help to clean the floors at least once a week, depending on how much traffic they receive.

How to Use Cleaning Solution to Clean Laminate Floors or Vacuum the Floor

Instead of a wet mop, use a dust mop or a vacuum to remove surface dirt. The floor will be grit-covered after being mopped with a wet mop. This will, at best, cause streaks and residue. At worst, the grit will pit and scrape your floor’s surface.

If you use a vacuum, get one with a setting for hard floors because vacuums with rolling brushes can eventually scratch and harm laminate.

Select a cleaning agent.

2. The best or only solution is not usually a commercial or pricey laminate floor cleaner. Pick a cleaner that fits your budget and the type of flooring in your home. You can create your solution with rubbing alcohol or vinegar.

Whatever you decide, don’t go overboard. While using a lot of cleaner on a dirty floor may be tempting, the residue it leaves behind dulls the floor’s gloss. Over time, this residue is the main reason laminate floors start to look muted.

Clean Floors Using Damp Mop\s

3. Water and other liquids may infiltrate between the laminate boards, causing swelling and eventual floor damage. Use as little water as possible and only as much cleaner per patch of floor you need to spray on. Use a conventional mop and wring it out until it is just damp. You’re using too much if water or other liquid is left on the floor to dry. The floor should dry in one to two minutes after mopping.

Buff to a Shine 

4. After mopping, buff the floor to make it shine—a dry microfiber mop head and an absorbent cleaning cloth attached to a dust mop work nicely. In addition to microfiber cleaning towels, cloth diapers are an excellent DIY alternative for a hands-and-knee task. Next, use your preferred instrument to gently buff each floor area in circles for a good sheen.

FAQS

Which cleaning method works best on laminate flooring?

Laminate floors respond nicely to Weiman Hardwood Floor Cleaner, which holds our GH Seal. Black Diamond’s Wood & Laminate Floor Cleaner performed well in our tests. The spray bottle makes spot cleaning simple as spritzing and wiping, especially on scuff marks. Stone, tile, and laminate floors can all be cleaned with a specific Bona product.

Can you clean the laminate floors with a wet Swiffer?

You can clean laminate floors with a wet Swiffer or WetJet. Forte says the wet Swiffer is perfect for quickly cleaning tiny spaces. Bonus: The disposable pads also mean there are no messy mops to store, making the WetJet more suited for vast surfaces with its battery-operated spray and on-board cleaning formula.

Can laminate floors be cleaned with steam mops?

It’s advisable to avoid using them, Forte advises. While the steam mop brands may assert that they are secure, you should first check what the care instructions are for your floor. “The flooring manufacturers caution against them and it may even void your warranty.” Although modern laminates are more water and spill-resistant, steam can still damage them.