The laminate flooring, we install in homes today has come a long way from the ugly faux tile flooring of the ‘80s and ‘90s. These floors are more durable, scratch-resistant, waterproof, and easier to maintain than ever before! The downside? They’re also harder to clean without damaging their unique surface and shine. Here are nine of the best cleaning methods you can use on your laminate flooring to keep it looking its best.
(1) Swiffer
The best way to clean a laminate floor is with a Swiffer. As you can tell by its name, a Swiffer uses disposable pads that attach to a sweeper mechanism and then come in all sorts of different types. This makes them incredibly versatile—perfect for getting into crevices and corners where dirt likes to hide.
Swiffer are great at cleaning up small messes and dealing with spills, but they’re probably not your best option if you’re looking to deep-clean your entire house or mop floors on a regular basis. They’re very useful when it comes to keeping your floor clean in between regular cleaning services, though!
(2) Microfiber Mop
A microfiber mop works best for laminate floors, as it will not scratch or scuff them. Microfiber is designed to be used with water and can be wrung out easily, so it’s gentle on your floors. There are many brands of microfiber that you can buy online or at your local store; they work equally well, so choose one that fits your budget and needs.
(3) Bona Hardwood Floor Spray Mop
This mop is a great alternative to sweeping, as it makes mopping your hardwood floors easy. Using microfiber pads, the spray mop allows you to quickly clean and shine your laminate floors without using any chemicals.
It’s also important to note that spray mops like these work with all types of cleaning solutions; if you prefer non-toxic cleaning products, you can use vinegar or all-natural oil cleaners instead.
(4) Steam Cleaner
For example, a steam cleaner uses steam to lift dirt and grime from a floor. These are great on tough-to-remove stains like crayon marks, but it can’t get behind appliances or into hard-to-reach areas like grooves.
However, you should avoid using steam cleaners over ceramic tile because high heat can damage or crack grout lines. If you have laminate floors in your kitchen, bathroom or another room that gets wet often (such as a laundry room), a steam cleaner may be your best option.
(5) Rug Doctor Deep Carpet Cleaner
This tool can be pricey, but if you have a large space to clean, it’s worth it. It’s very effective at breaking up tough stains and removing them from your floors. To keep your laminate looking new, give it a good cleaning every couple month.
But beware: These machines are prone to tipping over if you don’t balance them well or leave too much weight in one area—we suggest using your body weight (not a chair) on their handles and keeping wet/heavy rugs away from them so they don’t tip over when you walk behind them with a heavy bucket or wet carpet cleaner.
(6) Flat Head Duster
When you think of cleaning a laminate floor, you may immediately jump to using a vacuum. This is a good choice when you want to quickly get rid of crumbs or dust. Unfortunately, while these vacuums can clean your floors rather effectively, they can also scratch them. The best way to clean laminate floors without damaging them is with a flat head duster.
These come in many different sizes, but your best bet will likely be a 4-inch brush. With these brushes, it’s easy to work along edges and corners without scratching them. While not all cleaners are created equal, some products (like rubbing alcohol) have shown promise in leaving floors sparkling clean while keeping their protective finish intact as well.
(7) Wet/Dry Vacuum
It’s not always easy to reach your laminate floors with a mop, especially in larger rooms. You can use a wet/dry vacuum to effectively suck up loose dirt and debris—but remember that it may take longer than vacuuming other floors.
You also want to put down your plastic protection first because vacuums can pull up or damage your flooring’s finish. Start at one end of your room and work toward the door, using overlapping motions as you go so you don’t miss any spots. It’s better to spend more time on cleaning each section of floor than it is to rush through and risk leaving streaks or nicks behind.
(8) Vinegar
Vinegar is cheap, environmentally friendly and offers an easy-to-use alternative to toxic cleaners. Simply pour a small amount of vinegar on your laminate floor, let it soak in and then rinse with water. If you’re looking to clean laminate floors more frequently or you want to clean carpeted areas as well, try combining white vinegar with baking soda.
The combination can help scrub away at tough stains and dirt on all types of flooring. Plus, it’s environmentally friendly and won’t leave any streaks or chemical residue behind—making it a win-win all around! (source)
(9) Ammonia + Lime Juice + Salt + Water
Combine 1 quart of water, 1/2 cup ammonia, 1 tablespoon lime juice and a few handfuls of salt in a spray bottle. Shake to combine. This concoction can be used to clean laminate floors after they’ve been washed with soap and water. Spray on floors, leave overnight then mop dry with a clean cloth or microfiber pad.
If desired, you can also add one-fourth cup white vinegar per gallon of water to use as an all-purpose cleaner that can be sprayed onto floors after you finish cleaning them with ammonia, lime juice and salt solution above. Store any unused mixture in an airtight container in your bathroom so you’ll always have it when needed.
