Cleaning Laminate Floor

Laminate flooring is an affordable alternative to hardwoods. It's more durable and definitely less stressful when your 4 year old drops something heavy on it. But, how do you take care of your new laminate flooring? Here are some cleaning tips to help you get started.

How To Clean Laminate Floors

I'm loving my new laminate floors! I've found that cleaning them is easy but not quite as simple as dusting and dampmopping. They will dry kind of streaky if I don't use a small bit of some kind of cleanser that evaporates quickly.

So now I either sweep with a broom or dustmop with a dry microfibre mop, then I use a wet microfiber cloth on the mop to mop the floors. I lightly spray a touch of Seventh Generation Glass & Surface Cleaner to spots or when the mop gets too dry. It also helps to mop in the direction of the grain and not in circles or figure 8s like you might with vinyl or tile.

I searched around online and found tips from other laminate floor owners on how to clean laminate flooring:

Try a damp mop wrung out with very hot water, it evaporates better.
Try a vinegar/water solution.
Check with the manufacturer's recommendation: mine recommended a damp plain water mop but as I mentioned, that wasn't effective for me. Some manufacturers make their own floor cleaners.
A wet Swiffer cloth works well for some.
Don't use a soap based or citrus oil product, they don't clean laminate well or could even damage the shiny finish.
Don't use any type of abrasive cleaner.
If a stain is resistant you can try a tiny bit of acetone.

Hope that helps. Enjoy your new laminate floors!

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Cleaning Laminate Floor

One of the biggest advantages to laminate floor is that they are made to look good for many years with very little upkeep: cleaning wood laminate floor and keeping them looking their best takes some upkeep, this is simple by using the following tips:

A mixture of 1/4 cup of vinegar into a 30 ounze spray bottle works well with a mop. Combine the water and vinegar, spraying a small area of your laminate floor and mopping it up right away. This works well for cleaning and allowing the floor to dry quickly with no streaks.

Store-bought Cleaners that are made specifically for Laminate floors are available at your local store. While these work well there seems to be no greater overall improvement than the home made mixture listed above.

Microfiber pads also work well without the need to use liquid. If you do use a mop, use very hot water and make sure the mop is wrung out well - it will allow the floor to dry faster. You can also clean your laminate floor by using the wand attachment on your vaccuum. (avoid using anything else because it can scratch the laminate if sand or grit is in the vaccuum). Do NOT wax or polish your floor.

Here are some other ideas for keeping your laminate floor in top shape: Try to blot up any spills on your laminate floors as soon as they happen. Never allow liquids to stand on your floor. Do not wash or wet mop the floor - the less water you apply to the floor the better, this can prevent swelling, warping or delamination. For spots such as candle wax or chewing gum, harden the spot with ice and then gently scrape with a plastic scraper (like a credit card). Be careful not to scratch the laminate floors. Wipe clean with a damp cloth. Keep your pets nails trimmed to avoid unneccessary scratching. Place protective pads under tables and chairs. A mat under furniture with coasters is a good idea as well. If your laminate is scratched, see if you can buy a touch up stick from your manufacturer. If there is an area that cannot be cleaned to your satisfaction, a trained professional can also be called to replace the plank(s).

More information on Laminate Floors can be found at Laminate Floors