A: The Shark Steam and Scrub mop is ideal for these flooring types: laminate, bamboo, hardwood, marble, tile, and stone. Surfaces/materials where the steam mop should NOT be used: Wax-polished furniture or floors, unsealed or unglazed ceramic floors, unsealed wooden and wax floors, and some unwaxed floors.
Because the Shark® steam mop regulates both steam flow and how much water is applied to your floor, you can keep your laminate looking like new without undermining its effectiveness.
Don't use a steam mop. It voids your warranty and can seriously damage your laminate. You should never use any amount of water to clean laminate. It can cause the core to swell and distort. Use a non residue leaving cleaner like Bona and a microfiber cloth.
In a bucket, mix a solution of 1 gallon hot water, 1 cup vinegar, and a few drops of dish soap. Using a microfiber mop, mop the floor from back to front. Assess the room and follow a path that ensures you end at an exit. Use a soft-bristled brush to remove stubborn dirt, or in high-traffic areas.
The Bissell 1940 PowerFresh Scrubbing & Sanitizing Steam Mop is an excellent budget-friendly option for cleaning laminate wood floors, priced at $92.69.
Hardwood floors that are not sealed or improperly sealed are highly susceptible to moisture damage. Steam is likely to seep into the interior of the wood, causing the floor to swell, warp, and even cause long-term damage. For this type of floor, we recommend using dry or wet mop cleaning method.
The short answer is yes, vinegar can be used with steam mops.
Never use a floor buffer or polisher while cleaning laminate wood flooring. Don't use abrasive or acidic cleaners. Harsh cleaners might strip the protective coating from the floor. Don't use steel wool or scouring powder.
If your laminate floors remain dirty after mopping, it might be due to using too much water, a dirty mop, or the wrong cleaning solution.
Using undiluted vinegar on laminate floors can damage the finish and leave floors looking dull. Use no more than one cup of distilled white vinegar or 1/4 cup of cleaning vinegar per gallon of hot water.
Microfibre mops
Microfibre flat mops are a popular choice for cleaning laminate floors, something similar to our 1-2 Spray Mop. This is due to them being able to be used dry or damp as you can control the moisture going onto the floor.
Certain softer surfaces, such as synthetic fabrics, velvet or other delicate surfaces are also not recommended for steam cleaning. Other surfaces such as laminate floor and some plastics could potentially be damaged by the high temperature of steam.
Shark steam mops often have settings suitable for different floor types, including wood. Avoid excessive moisture: Even with the right settings, it's important to move the steam mop quickly over the wood floors and not let it sit in one spot for too long. This helps prevent moisture from seeping into the wood.
Traditionally, steam cleaning is a really effective way of cleaning a floor as the heat and moisture loosen the dirt. However, when you use a steam mop on laminate floors, the flooring absorbs the water. Because it's usually made from a layer of fibre board, it swells and will eventually start to buckle.
A steam mop can be pretty tempting, but do not do it! Luxury vinyl plank flooring is not steam resistant. Yes, it can handle water at some levels but not steam. Vinyl is plastic at the end of the day and exposure to high temperatures can cause it to lose shape and it can ruin the top layer of your flooring.
Using the best steam mop will deep clean and sanitize up to 99.9% of household bacteria—all with just steam!
Laminate flooring, while cost-effective and popular, can experience problems such as buckling, warping, and fading. These issues often arise from water damage, prolonged exposure to sunlight, and inherent design limitations.
Black Diamond Stoneworks Wood & Laminate Floor Cleaner
Our top pick for cleaning laminate floors is Black Diamond Floor Cleaner. This cleaner is super effective on laminate, but we love that it can be used on many surfaces, including hardwood floors, tile, and marble.
Yes, you can use a wet Swiffer or Swiffer WetJet on laminate floors. "The wet Swiffer is best for quickly cleaning small spaces," Forte says.
Do not use wood cleansers, like Murphy Oil Soap. It will leave residue on the surface and look streaky. Avoid abrasive scrubbers, like scratchy sponges or steel wool. Even baking soda, when applied and rubbed aggressively, may damage laminate floors.
For best results and to avoid issues that may lead to spots, streaks, or other unwanted blemishes, use Bona's ready-to-use, specially-formulated laminate floor polish. Deep cleaning and polishing will help extend your laminate floor's life and beauty.
You can usually remove stains like scuff marks by using a bit of full-strength Pine-Sol® Multi-Surface Cleaner and gently buffing with a towel. Never use scouring pads, buffers or wire brushes to remove scuff marks. The same goes for harsh chemicals, as they can damage laminate flooring.
Do not use anything other than water in the unit. Shark recommends using distilled water in your steam mop. Shark's water filtration bottle is also recommended to extend your mop's life and reduce the potential build-up of hard water residue in the unit which may contribute to steam performance issues.
A: NO!! Bissell recommends using only distilled water.
Lemon Oil. Lemon oil is a popular choice due to its bright, citrusy scent and grease-cutting abilities. This essential oil can help remove tough stains and leave your floors smelling fresh and clean.