How to Clean Your Laminate Floors (Without Ruining Them)
For a Standard Weekly Clean
“Regular sweeping or vacuuming, with occasional mopping, will extend the life of your floor and keep it looking as good as the day it was installed,”
Review these steps to learn how to clean laminate floors on a consistent basis to preserve their quality.
Tip!
Sweep in the direction that the laminate was laid to get better access to the nooks and crannies of the floor.
Step 1: Vacuum
The best preventative care you can give your laminate floors is a weekly vacuuming. Use a vacuum with a brush attachment to keep your floors free of any dirt, debris, and hair that can lead to scratching over time. A dry dust mop works just as well, but make sure to avoid using stiff bristle brushes, as those can scrape the laminate.
Step 2: Wash
For a regular cleaning, the best way to clean laminate wood floors is water. Do not use soap, pine, lemon, or ammonia-based cleaners as they will damage floors and create a streaky haze. Instead, dampen a microfiber mop in hot water, then wring out the mop to avoid leaving big puddles that can seep through the baseboards and leave streaks.
Step 3: Dry
After you’re done moping, use a clean microfiber cloth or a dry mop to dry the floor. Microfiber is a great material to dry laminate floors because it’s gentle and wont cause scuffs or scratches overtime. Overall, it’s important to dry laminate floors as this will prevent moisture from discoloring or warping the flooring over time.
For a Deep Clean
If you need a deeper clean, we recommend using a flathead microfiber mop and laminate floor spray cleaner.
- Spray the cleaner on the floor and then wipe it up with the damp mop.
- Mop in the same direction as the grain to avoid streaks.
- Then use a dry microfiber cloth to wipe the floor.
If you want to put your microfiber mop cover in the washing machine just make sure not to use any fabric softener as it will later cause streaks.
Tip!
When cleaning laminate floors with a mop, start from the center of the floor and work your way towards the outer edges of the room so you don’t end up walking over what you just cleaned!
How to Clean Spills & Stains
Wipe up any spills immediately with a clean cloth to prevent stains or liquid damage to your floor. Here are some smart practices for how to clean laminate floors with stains.
- For stains that have already set, dilute ¼ cup white vinegar with 4 cups of water in a spray bottle.
- Spray the mixture in small areas before wiping immediately with a clean damp cloth.
- Be cautious of spraying too much and damaging the protective laminate layer. When finished, dry completely.
If you drop gum or candle wax on a laminate floor, take a bag of ice and lay it on the spill. Then, scrape it off with a plastic knife. For ink and crayon smudges, take a cotton swab and dip it in rubbing alcohol. Then, blot it on the spot before wiping it away with a dry cloth.
How to Clean Scuffs & Scrapes
If your laminate floors have any scuffs or scrapes, try tending to the marks with a pencil eraser (goodbye, heel scuffs!). To avoid future markings, place pads under the legs of your furniture to protect your laminate in a concealed and inexpensive way.
How to Protect Your Laminate Floors
To keep your floors shiny and free of scuffs and scratches, take these preventative measures to keep your floors looking new.
- Don’t wear shoes in the house. Place them on a tray by your front door and wear slippers around the house.
- Put a mat under your pet’s water and food bowls as well as your baby’s high chair.
- Keep pet’s nails trimmed.
- Use area rugs.
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Laminate Flooring 101: The Do’s and Don’ts to Keep Them Scuff-Free
1. Don’t let stains sit on the floor
“If something spills, clean it up immediately,” says Steve Evans, cleaning expert at Memphis Maids. “Use a dense microfiber cloth or a sponge and gently blot until you absorb whatever has spilled.” Tackle stains pronto. Even if your laminate flooring is water-resistant, if you leave liquids for too long, they can potentially damage or discolor the surface.
2. Don’t use abrasive tools
Technology has made a lot of recent laminate flooring materials scratch-resistant, but that doesn’t mean you should reach for abrasive (steel wool, for example) items. You’ll want to use a soft-bristle broom or dust mop to sweep up debris. If you’re vacuuming, be careful to use an attachment without a beater bar or rotating brush, which could scratch the surface.
3. Do (carefully) mop the laminate flooring every two months
To keep laminate floors fresh, mop them every two months. Damp mops (a.k.a. microfiber mops) are gentle enough to use on laminate flooring. If you’re going to use a regular mop, just wring it out until it’s almost completely dry.
4. Don’t use too much water
“The number one factor to keep in mind is that laminate floors do not get along with water,” Evans says. “At least, with excessive water. Keep water and liquids to a minimum whenever you’re cleaning these floors.” Even if the flooring material is water-resistant, you don’t want the water to pool or seep through the top layer, which could potentially lead to extra installation costs that come with replacing the laminate planks. That said, a traditional mop bucket is a no-no for laminate floors. If you forget to pick up all the water it can also cause staining or fading.
A spray mop could come in handy because sprays limit the amount of water you’re using. Dry the floors immediately.
5. Do skip cleaning products not labeled for laminate flooring use
Oil-based cleaning products can leave streaks and residue, or damage the protective sealant of the floors. If you use laminate cleaner, do so sparingly and apply it to the mop or microfiber cloth rather than directly to the floor. Never use wax or polishes on laminate floors.
6. Do consider a DIY laminate floor cleaner
Make your own DIY floor cleaner. For regular cleaning, combine a teaspoon of clear and unscented dish soap with a gallon of hot water.
another recommended mix is a solution of white vinegar and water because it doesn’t leave a sticky residue, which is often an issue with hard floors. He suggests one part vinegar to 10 parts water. “It’s effective yet not that aggressive to your floors,” he notes.
Another option? 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. (Note: The same rules about water apply to either of these DIY solutions. Make sure to wring the mop so it is only slightly damp. Never let water pool on the floor.)
7. Do use household hacks for stubborn stains
For tough stains like candle wax or ink, the best cleaning methods are right at hand. Apply a plastic bag of ice to chewing gum and candle wax, and remove with a plastic knife, scraper, or credit card once it has hardened. Tackle paint, ink, nail polish, and crayon with rubbing alcohol.
8. Do protect the surface from future damage
To avoid future scratches, add furniture pads under the legs of chairs and tables, especially if they get moved frequently. For spots that are likely to get dents or withstand heavy foot traffic, invest in rugs to help prevent wear and tear. Placing a rug under a dining room table or under a desk chair not only saves your floors but enhances your interior decor.
If your laminate flooring already has scratches, you can try the Pergo repair kit to camouflage the damage.
9. Don’t forget a doormat
Dirt that gets tracked in from outside not only makes your floor dirty, but can also damage the floor. The grit, for example, from a dirty shoe bottom can be one of the biggest enemies your laminate floor faces because it can scratch, dull, and even dent. Stop dirt in its tracks with a welcome mat that is as fashionable as it is functional. A woven stripes-and-stripes mat from Hay does just that. Something this low-maintenance can make all the difference.
