How to Clean Laminate Floors the Right Way So They Look Brand New

How to Clean Laminate Floors With Cleaning Solution

Made from pressed layers of composite wood, a printed design layer, and then topped with a thin, scratch-resistant wear layer, laminate wood flooring delivers a bit of bounce that makes it comfortable underfoot. This type of laminate requires less cleaner (and liquid) than other types of flooring. Here's how to clean it.

1. Remove Loose Soil

   To capture grit, dust, and dirt on laminate floors, use a dry dust mop, electrostatic disposable mopping cloth, or vacuum. If vacuuming, choose a vacuum that's suitable for hard-surface floors with the beater bar disengaged. A traditional broom is not the best choice because it can leave grit in the cracks between the laminate boards. Don’t forget to remove any throw rugs or mats and clean under them.

   Laminate floors are prone to scuffing. Remove scuffs from shoes and furniture by buffing the area with a slightly abrasive microfiber cloth or a clean tennis ball. Alternatively, try a new art gum or pink school eraser. Dampen the scuff and erase it away.

2. Select a Cleaning Solution or Make Your Own

   With dozens of commercial laminate floor cleaners in the marketplace, check the labels to ensure you're using one suitable for laminate flooring. Do not use hardwood floor cleaner or wax on laminate floors, unless it is something like Zep, which is formulated for both hardwood and laminate.

   To save money and still get a clean, streak-free floor, make your own laminate floor cleaner by mixing 2 quarts water with either 1/4 cup distilled white vinegar or 1/2 cup isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol. Pour the solution into a spray bottle and label it for easy use.

3. Damp-Mop the Floor

   Lightly spray a small area of the freshly vacuumed floor with the cleaner you’ve chosen, being careful not to overwet the floor. (If the floor doesn’t dry within a minute or so, you’re using too much).

   Using a microfiber mop, work in a grid pattern starting in one corner of the room so you don’t miss any areas. If the floor is really dirty, rinse the mop head as needed and wring it until just slightly damp.

4. Buff to a Shine

   To create a shine once the floor is clean, buff it with a microfiber cloth in one of three ways:

   • Use a clean, dry, microfiber mop
   • Place a microfiber cloth underneath a mop head
   • Work on your hands and knees using a microfiber cloth.

   Whichever you choose, work in small circles and buff the floor to create a shine.

   According to Maker, you do not need to polish laminate wood floors. In fact, polish or wax of any kind can damage laminate flooring and leave streaks that are unremovable.

How to Keep Laminate Floors Clean Longer

Regularly sweeping and vacuuming your laminate floors will help keep them clean longer. Spot-treating stains with a microfiber cloth the minute they happen will also help to keep your floors cleaner.

The best way to keep the floor clean is to clean spills as they happen and do a little to prevent a mess in the first place. "You might want to wear socks, slippers, or indoor shoes to avoid transferring oil and sweat from your feet on the floor—yes, this is a thing," says Maker.

For longer-lasting flooring, avoid aggressive beater bars on vacuums. These are great for carpets but can dent or scratch laminate floors. Also, remember to avoid too much moisture. Dripping mop buckets and steam cleaners used on laminate floors leave too much moisture, which can seep down through the joints in the flooring and cause warping.

How to Remove Stains from Laminate Floors

Removing stains from laminate can be an involved process, so great care needs to be taken when cleaning to avoid damage. Here is how to remove an oil stain, according to Maker:

1. Blot up any residue with a paper towel to remove as much as you can.
2. Apply a small drop of dish soap to the area, which can help to lift the stain, then agitate with a soft toothbrush to avoid scratching the surface.
3. Rinse well with water.
4. If the stain hasn’t gone away, try using just enough rubbing alcohol to cover the stain and allow it to sit for a moment.
5. Brush the area with the toothbrush, blot up any excess, and clean the area with soapy water.

How to Get Rid of Streaks on Laminate Floors

The best way to prevent streaks or a filmy residue on your laminate floors is by carefully selecting your cleaner and determining the right amount of it to use:

• If using a commercial cleaner, ensure it's specifically formulated for laminate floors.
• If using a DIY cleaner made with vinegar or rubbing alcohol, don't worry about streaks because they have no ingredients that linger on the floor to cause streaking.
• Do not use all-purpose cleaners, dishwashing liquid, or floor waxes that promise a shine. 
• Use only the slightest amount of any type of cleaning product. The floor should not remain wet for longer than two minutes.
• Buff the freshly cleaned floor with a dry microfiber mop or cloth to prevent streaks. One of our favorite mops is Swiffer.