Laminate floors, increasingly popular for both household and commercial applications, have the look of expensive hardwood even though they are manufactured of various materials. An idea that was imported to the USA from Europe, the product typically comes in lengths to resemble lumber, or in parquet blocks. It recreates the look and durability of real hardwood flooring without the expense.
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Though it is scratch-resistant and low-maintenance, it is not scratch-proof, and it does require cleaning.
Caring for Laminate Floors
The first principal of keeping laminate floors clean is to keep them from getting dirty. In most parts of the world, people consider it the height of filth and inconsideration to wear inside the house the same footwear you wear outside. You bring in not only the dirt, muck, grease, and disease from the streets to coat your carpeting; you also bring in sand and gravel to grind away at the surface of your wood floors. The oil from the bottom of your bare feet also dirties floors, but that is minor in comparison.
So go barefoot or change into indoor-only slippers when you come in the door. Always have at least one pair awaiting each member of the family, and place some extras there for guests.
Homemade Laminate Floor Cleaner
Note: Always vacuum or dust hard floor surfaces before mopping.
Tools and Supplies:
- Vacuum cleaner
- Dust mop
- Sponge mop
- Old towel
- White vinegar
- Water
- Bucket
Laminate Floor Cleaning Instructions:
- Mix 1/2 cup distilled white vinegar in 1 gallon of water. If a vegetable oil polish has ever been used on the floor, double the amount of vinegar.
- Do not replace the vegetable oil cleaner after cleaning the floor; the residue they leave on wood can break down the sealant over time.
- Some manufacturers recommend cleaning with ammonia; vinegar works just as well without as much potential of damaging the sealant. Water is also slightly alkaline, so it can leave damaging water spots on your wood floors unless you neutralize the water with vinegar. Some suggest adding a third of a cup of rubbing alcohol to this mixture, presumably to inhibit streaking.
- Dampen an old towel in the mixture and wring out all the excess moisture.
- Wrap the towel around the sponge mop head. Moisture can more easily and completely be wrung out of the mop than it can from the sponge. Self-wringing mops can leave excess water on the floor. The moisture then works its way between the parquet blocks, warping their edges.
- If you want something a little more high tech than an old towel, building supply stores sell terry mop covers that are attached by elastic to sponge mop heads or Swiffers. The Swiffer Wet Jet mop system includes a floor cleaning solution. (There is also a product that consists of a package of wet cloths containing vinegar and water; these attach to Swiffer mops and can also be used on wood floors.)
- It is not necessary to rinse.
- Dry the floor if needed with another, dry towel.
A variation on this process consists of substituting plain, hot water for the vinegar-water mixture.
Laminate Floor Cleaning Tips
If you want to clean small areas, try spraying Windex on the floors and wiping off with a paper towel. This relieves you of having to mix up a bucket of solution for doing one small area. Be cautioned, however, about the warning above that ammonia can strip off protective sealants – Windex contains ammonia.
After sweeping or vacuuming, I spray the Windex on a small area and then use a dry Swiffer sheet (or a paper towel) attached to my Swiffer mop to clean the area. This method lets me clean as big or as small an area as I want to without getting out a mop and bucket and committing to washing the entire floor! I buy the economy size Windex at a restaurant supply store and use it to refill my spray bottle, which saves money as well.
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Do not use any type of vinegar or acidic based cleaners on a laminate floor or any other floor it will eat the finish off and allow your floor to get dirtier faster. Always use the proper cleaners from a flooring store if you want to keep your floor looking good for a long time.
I called Pergo directly when I got my laminate floors. They told me to only use vinegar and water.
I’m excited to try the vinegar thing. I hate the streaks that are left each time!!
My laminate floors have old cleaner build up what is the best way to get rid of it? Is there a stripping product?
Laminate floor
My laminate floors have old cleaner build up. What is the best way to get rid of it? Is there a stripping product?
A steam mop
Is a steam mop good to use on laminated floors?
Dirt buildup!!
Well Kelly and Wanda, I really wish someone would answer your question, because its mine too. I’ve been on my hands and knees for hours now trying to get my floor clean, with no luck. I’ve used my shark steamer, Murphys oil soap and cleaner, Windex, a scrub brush, and last but not least I tried Comet. My laminate is light colored and I cannot for the life of me get that dirt crud out of the grain. I had heard so many wonderful things about laminate, but I don’t think I’ve ever had such a hard time cleaning a floor in my life. HELP!!!!
A little detergent.
My laminate floor was driving me crazy. Kids running in and out all the time. Finally I found what works for my floor. A small amount of washing detergent added to the water. Worked wonders.
Bye Bye grime - hello shine!
I tried the vinegar, water and alcohol solution. I had been using the vinegar, water and a few drops of Dawn but found that I had a slight film left from the Dawn, the floors also then had footprints that would show. With two cats, a dog and an 8 year old, I was getting frustrated with the pet hair, salt tracks and footprints. My “solution” was to use a 1/2 gallon milk jug, fill it 1/2 way with hot water, add 1/4 c white vinegar and 2 Tbs rubbing alcohol — THEN I poured a bit on a 4×4 area and quickly wiped with a swiffer mop to which I had attached (what most of us have on hand) an Always thin maxi pad! It stuck to the mop, wrapped around and soaked up the excess liquid like a charm. It dried very quickly and any excess was again soaked up by the pad. I thought it was a pretty clever use for a pad, myself. I think the swiffers are expensive for as many as you get in the package. My floors are nice and shiny and I can use the leftover solution (there was a lot left) for cleaning my bathrooms and kitchen then can dump the rest down my kitchen sink after adding baking soda for a once a week home made Draino.
We had a laminate flooring specialist in to look at our floor. It has marks on it , probably from installers or painters or whoever. Anyway he says to NOT clean with a swiffer,,,,, it leave a film on the flooring… I have been using the swiffer…. wet and dry both.. Now I do not know what to use. Anyone have problems with the swiffer???