What kills mold on laminate flooring?

Author: Kristin Buckridge PhD  |  Last update: Tuesday, October 14, 2025

Scrub the affected area with a mixture of hot water and soap. Use an appropriate mold and mildew cleaner to disinfect the area. You can also use a diluted bleach solution (mix 1 cup of bleach in 1 gallon of water). Spray this cleaning solution directly onto the moldy floor and allow it to sit for 10 to 15 minutes.

Is bleach or vinegar better to kill mold?

Bleach kills most mold. White vinegar kills slightly more species of mold. In both cases, mold on a porous surface will likely recover because the chemical doesn't penetrate down to ALL the mold. Physical removal is easiest on things like drywall.

Is bleach bad for laminate flooring?

Just make sure to avoid using a dirty mop head on your floors because this may cause streaking. Also, don't use any cleaning products that contain wax, acrylic or bleach, as these ingredients could damage the floor's finish.

Will mold grow under laminate flooring?

Under laminate flooring, mold typically grows due to excess moisture or dampness, which can occur due to water leaks, high humidity, or poor floor installation.

Does vinegar kill 100% of mold?

Yes, vinegar is a mild acid that kills 82% of mold species. It's often used as a natural and nontoxic alternative to cleaning chemicals when it comes to killing household mold. Cleaning vinegar, which contains 6% acetic acid, is the best type for killing mold.

Will mold grow under laminate flooring?

Is distilled vinegar the same as white vinegar?

White vinegar, also known as distilled vinegar or spirit vinegar, is made by fermenting grain alcohol (ethanol) which then turns into acetic acid. Water is then added to the vinegar, so white vinegar is made of five to ten percent acetic acid and ninety to ninety-five percent water.

What kills mold on laminate?

Scrub the affected area with a mixture of hot water and soap. Use an appropriate mold and mildew cleaner to disinfect the area. You can also use a diluted bleach solution (mix 1 cup of bleach in 1 gallon of water). Spray this cleaning solution directly onto the moldy floor and allow it to sit for 10 to 15 minutes.

What will ruin laminate flooring?

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.

How to remove mold under vinyl flooring?

Borax is highly recommended as a mold remediation product. To get rid of mold using borax, you'll need to mix it with one gallon of hot water. Then, apply the solution to the area affected by mold beneath the flooring. Next, scrub the area with a brush until the mold cannot be seen anymore.

What do professionals use to clean laminate floors?

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.

What not to use on laminate floors?

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.

Does vinegar ruin laminate floors?

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.

Does Dawn dish soap kill mold?

The Short Answer. No, dish soap can not kill mold. Dish soap is formulated to detach and wash away grease and food particles from surfaces, and it's very good at that! But it is not designed to be stringent enough to completely kill fungal matter like mold.

What 100% kills mold?

For large amounts of mold, the only method that kills mold 100%, every time, is removing all of the mold-infested materials entirely, and replacing them with new materials.

Can I leave vinegar on mold overnight?

Yes, you can leave vinegar on mould overnight, though this isn't necessary as it usually takes effect after an hour. However, you can't use any type of vinegar, for mould removal you must use distilled white vinegar.

Can you use Dawn dish soap on laminate floors?

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.

How to get moisture out of laminate flooring?

How to Dry Wet Laminate Flooring
  1. Remove Excess Water. Use a wet/dry vacuum to remove as much water as possible from the surface of the laminate flooring.
  2. Increase Ventilation. Open windows and doors to improve air circulation in the room. ...
  3. Lift the Edges. ...
  4. Use Absorbent Towels. ...
  5. Allow Time to Dry.

What eats laminate flooring?

Termites can damage the underlying flooring of laminate. Damage caused to laminate flooring by termite infestations can appear similar to typical water damage. Laminate will blister and sag in affected areas. If inspected more closely, a hollow network of tunnels will be discovered beneath buckled areas.

How fast does mold grow under laminate flooring?

It only takes as little as 24 hours for mold to start growing under wet laminate flooring, if the water is dirty, it has come from a dishwasher, outside groundwater, a toilet or dirty carpet it can start growing bacteria even quicker, in as little as 12 hours.

How do you clean laminate floors without damaging them?

Clean laminate floors naturally

Mix equal parts of water and white vinegar in a spray bottle. Lightly mist the solution on the floor and mop it up with a damp, not soaking, mop. This method will leave your laminate floor clean and streak-free without the use of harsh chemicals.

How to get rid of black mold on floor?

For a natural solution to getting rid of black mold, combine one part baking soda with five parts distilled white vinegar and five parts water in a spray bottle. Alternatively, you can use a chemical-based mold and mildew remover, all-purpose cleaners, bleach or dish soap.

How to get rid of mold with white vinegar?

  1. Step 1: Protect Yourself. Direct contact with mold can be dangerous, especially if any spores become airborne during the cleaning process. ...
  2. Step 2: Apply the Vinegar. ...
  3. Step 3: Create a Baking Soda Scrub. ...
  4. Step 4: Scrub Away Remaining Mold. ...
  5. Step 5: Finish with a Final Spray.

Which is stronger white distilled vinegar or apple cider vinegar?

Acid concentrations: Apple cider vinegar contains about five to six percent acetic acid, while white vinegar contains five to ten percent. This higher acid concentration makes most white vinegars more acidic than their apple-based counterpart.

Does white vinegar go bad?

Almost Indefinite Shelf Life

Vinegar is a fermented product and has an “almost indefinite” shelf life according to the Vinegar Institute. “Because of its acid nature, vinegar is self-preserving and does not need refrigeration. White distilled vinegar will remain virtually unchanged over an extended period of time.

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