What is the best cleaner for laminate floors? A solution of water, distilled white vinegar, and a few drops of dishwashing liquid is the best cleaner for laminate floors. Use it sparingly and avoid leaving excess moisture on the floor that can cause the flooring to warp.
If your floor has developed a slight film or waxy buildup on it (which happens over time when the wrong cleaning products are used), you can instead combine a gallon of hot water with a cup of white vinegar. Vinegar, which is a natural cleaning agent, will break down the film without hurting the laminate surface.
The best way to clean laminate floors is to use products made especially for them. If you don't have laminate floor cleaner, you can use a teaspoon of unscented clear dish soap in a gallon of water. A teaspoon of baby shampoo in a gallon of water will also work. Be careful not to soak the floors.
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.
You just have to pour half of the white vinegar and half of the warm water into a spray bottle. This is an inexpensive solution that works well in bringing shine to your floors. The Bona Cleaner and the homemade solution work well for both plastic and engineered laminate floors.
Use a microfiber mop. Microfiber mops are very effective at picking up dirt and grime, and they are also gentle on laminate flooring. Use a Black Diamond laminate floor cleaner. Laminate floor cleaners are specifically designed for laminate flooring, and they will help to remove dirt, grime, and smudges.
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.
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.
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.
Safely Cleaning Laminate Flooring With Fabuloso
You can easily clean your laminate floors with any Fabuloso product, but you must take precautions.
Overall, the best mop for laminate floors is the Swiffer PowerMop thanks to its powerful mophead that reaches into grouted flooring to quickly and effectively clean up dirt and debris.
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.
Avoid using waxes, polishes and any commercial cleaners not designed for laminate. Harsh cleaners, such as those with bleach, can cause damage, and sudsy cleaners can leave behind sticky residue that collects dirt.
There's no need to rinse your vinegar-mopping solution from your floors. Keep in mind that your floors should be drying very quickly if you've wrung out your mop sufficiently.
Moisture Concerns
Being comprised of wood fiberboard, laminate flooring is susceptible to permanent damage if it comes into contact with water for a considerable amount of time. When the proper precautions are taken, however, it can deliver long last performance.
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.
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.
Unless the floor manufacturer provides different cleaning instructions, you should not use dish soap or a commercial cleaner on laminate flooring. Soaps and harsh detergents will dull the finish and may damage the protective top layer.
If you must use pine sol, I'd definitely follow with a clean water washing to remove residue especially for safety of animals and children.
Your laminate floor will benefit from a deep cleaning every two or three months. The most important thing to remember when deep cleaning laminate floors is to avoid using water as much as possible. Since laminate is made with wood, it's best to limit its exposure to moisture.
Scratches and surface damage
Although some homeowners may consider laminate flooring to be strong, it is actually quite susceptible to scratching. For example, should somebody walk across the floor in high-heeled shoes, or drag a heavy piece of furniture, scratching and other types of surface damage can be the result.
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.
Although laminate flooring is great for use in all kinds of areas of your home, its one flaw is that it's not great when it comes to moisture. To avoid warping, discoloration, and bubbling, avoid installing laminate flooring in rooms that regularly see a lot of moisture such as bathrooms, kitchens, or utility rooms.