Laminate flooring products are a budget-friendly alternative to hardwood, and the technology behind them just keeps getting better and better. Even still, most existing laminates still need special care to maintain shine and durability. While they’re tough and stain resistant, laminate floors are susceptible to moisture and scratches. Cleaning them requires a bit of finesse to keep them lasting.
Avoid These Common Mistakes
- Large Amounts of Water: Excess water can seep into the seams. This causes the laminate to warp or swell.
- Harsh Cleaning Products: Bleach, ammonia, and abrasive cleaners can strip the protective coating and dull the surface.
- Skipping Mats or Pads: Muddy tracks have dirt and grit that can scratch the surface. Remove shoes when you enter your home, use floor protectors like mats at exterior doors, and add felt pads under legs of furniture.
- Scrubbing with Rough Tools: Steel wool, scouring pads, or stiff brushes are abrasive tools that can scratch the floor. If something is stuck to the surface, try using an old credit card or a plastic putty knife to release it.
- Steam Cleaning: The heat from steam mops and steam cleaners can damage the surface and loosen the adhesive from the core layer. Only use them if it's a laminate floor-approved product.
You'll Need
- Microfiber mop or soft-bristle broom
- Laminate floor cleaner (or a homemade solution of water and vinegar)
- Spray bottle
- Dry, lint-free cloths or towels
- Soft sponge (optional for spot cleaning)
1. Dust or Sweep Regularly
- Use a dust mop head, soft-bristled broom, or robotic vacuum to remove dust and loose debris.
- Work in the direction of the floorboards to collect dirt from seams and edges of the floor surface.
- Vacuum on a hard-floor setting or use a hardwood floor attachment.
2. Light Clean with a Damp Mop
- Spray a laminate-safe cleaner directly onto the microfiber mop head or floor in small sections. Don't spray the entire floor at once because it dries fast.
- Mop using gentle, sweeping motions, ensuring the pad is just damp, not soaking wet.
- Dry the floor after mopping. Use a soft cloth or a dry dust mop to remove excess moisture.
3. Tackle Stubborn Spots
- For sticky spills, use a damp sponge or microfiber cloth with a bit of cleaner or mild dish soap.
- Avoid scrubbing too hard, this shouldn't require elbow grease. Instead, let the cleaner sit on stubborn dirt or tough stains for a minute before wiping in a circular motion.
- Remove sticky residue or scuffs from shoes with a small amount of baking soda paste and a damp cloth.
- If the surface is oil-based, you can tackle stubborn stains with a bit of nail polish remover or acetone. Quickly wipe the area with a water dampened clean cloth as these harsh chemicals can damage the protective sealant if left to dry.
4. Deep Clean as Needed
- Limit deep cleaning to every 2–3 months to preserve the floor’s finish.
- Clean out dirt from the groove between boards with a plastic knife and dry microfiber towels. Gunk between laminate tiles may lift out easier if frozen first, put an ice cube in a plastic bag to chill and solidify sticky substances.
- Check furniture pads for wear and tear or loose grit that could cause irreversible damage.
FAQ
Is Fabuloso safe for laminate floors?
Fabuloso is a safe cleaning agent for laminate floors when diluted properly. It can be used for a bimonthly deep clean but can damage the laminate hardwood floors if used as part of a regular cleaning routine. As always, it’s important to avoid soaking the floor with water. Use a small amount of Fabuloso on a barely damp microfiber mop or cloth, and wipe the floor dry immediately to prevent moisture damage on the surface or in the grooves.
Can you use vinegar to clean laminate floors?
Yes, a mixture of one part white vinegar to three parts water is an excellent homemade laminate floor cleaning solution. That splash of vinegar cuts through grime without leaving streaks but should be used sparingly and wiped dry to avoid moisture damage over time.
How do you remove streaks from laminate floors?
Streaks often occur when too much commercial cleaner is used or if dirty water gets pushed around. To fix them, dampen a microfiber cloth with clean water and wipe the floor again to remove the filmy residue. Dry immediately with a dry microfiber cloth for a clean, streak-free floor.
