How to Clean Laminate Flooring

There are tremendous benefits to installing laminate flooring in your home. Not only does it enhance the overall quality, appeal, and “wow factor,” but it is also very easy to maintain and clean. Compared to carpet, laminate flooring is a breeze, and you never have to worry about what might be lurking underneath, like dust, dust mites, or mold. Laminate flooring has become a growing trend among new homebuilders, and many people are replacing their 90s-era Berber carpets with laminate floors throughout their homes.

Essential Tips for Cleaning Laminate Flooring

Learning how to clean laminate flooring is essential for keeping it looking new. Remember that laminate flooring is NOT real wood; it’s made of layers of engineered materials compressed together. Most laminate floors come with moisture-locking installation features that prevent spills from seeping through the seams. However, if the seams are not tightly sealed, you might encounter problems with debris and liquids building up beneath the floor. If your floor was professionally installed, contact the installers and ask them to come fix the issue.

There are a few essential items you’ll need for cleaning laminate floors: a broom with soft bristles, a vacuum cleaner, and a mop. The first step in cleaning the floors is to sweep them thoroughly. If you leave debris on the floor and then try to mop it, you risk scratching the surface. Be sure to vacuum around the edges and cracks of the floor to ensure all loose dirt and dust is removed. Once the floors are free from loose materials, it’s time to mop.

Many people today have replaced traditional mops with products like the Swiffer Sweeper. These work well on laminate flooring but may not have the power to remove scuff marks or sticky stains as effectively as a mop. Before choosing a cleaner, don’t just go by scent—check with your floor manufacturer. You can usually look it up online or call a customer service number to find out which products are not recommended for your flooring. Some laminate floors don’t do well with ammonia or bleach-based products, which could potentially ruin the finish. While there are specific cleaners made for laminate flooring, these are generally no different from products like Mr. Clean or Lysol. A quick look at the ingredients will show that you’re paying extra for a product that’s virtually the same as the ones you can buy in a local store.

When you mop your laminate floors, use warm or hot water, and be sure to squeeze out any excess moisture from the mop. Laminate flooring should not be exposed to excess water. If there are specific areas with stubborn dirt or grime, use a hand sponge rather than saturating the area with water and cleaning products. The floor should be damp, not wet! If you have a wood-grain laminate floor, it’s best to mop in the direction of the grain to avoid streaks. After mopping the entire floor, empty the mop bucket, rinse the mop, and go over the floor again with clean, hot water to remove any residue from the cleaning product.

Some floors perform better when dried after mopping. Many people also opt for products like Mop & Glo, which give floors a glossy appearance. However, these products leave a film on the flooring and are not recommended for laminate. If you have a non-glossy laminate floor, it’s best to leave it that way. Products designed to add sheen can cause yellowing on light-colored floors and create inconsistencies that are difficult to fix. In fact, you would need to use ammonia to remove these products, so it’s best to avoid them altogether.

A great alternative for cleaning laminate floors is a mixture of vinegar and water. You can mix this solution in a spray bottle and apply it to the floor as you mop. This method prevents excess moisture from being absorbed by the floor. Before using any cleaning products, be sure to check with the manufacturer to ensure they are safe for your specific laminate flooring.

Learning how to clean your laminate flooring may involve some trial and error. The key to keeping your floors looking new and avoiding scratches is to regularly remove debris that could scuff the surface. At doors and entries, consider placing a throw rug designed to catch dirt from shoes so that you’re not constantly sweeping. However, there’s some comfort in knowing that laminate flooring is much cleaner than carpet. With carpet, dirt often gets trapped beneath the surface and is hidden from view. With laminate flooring, dirt is visible, so you can always be sure you’re removing it.

One final thing to avoid with laminate flooring is steam-cleaning products. These are typically safe for tile and real hardwoods only. Since laminate is made of multiple materials, the high temperatures of steam cleaners can cause the layers to pull apart over time.

Enjoy your floors! With proper care, laminate flooring can last a long time, adding value and coziness to your home.