How to Clean Laminate Floors: Plus, Best Laminate Floor Cleaners
Laminate flooring is a popular choice for its affordability and attractive appearance, but keeping it looking like new requires proper care. In this guide, we’ll show you how to clean laminate floors effectively, share the best laminate floor cleaner options, and provide tips to avoid common mistakes. With these tips, your laminate flooring can stay beautiful and last for years to come.
Over the years, laminate flooring has come a long way in replicating the look of hardwood floors. This durable and easy-to-maintain option now offers stunning designs that mimic the rich textures and grains of real wood, all at a fraction of the cost. By understanding how to clean and care for your laminate floors properly, you can ensure they remain a beautiful and long-lasting feature in your home.
Contents
- What is Laminate Flooring?
- Pros and Cons of Laminate Flooring
- Cost of Laminate Flooring
- How to Clean Laminate Floors: Step-by-Step Guide
- Common Cleaning Mistakes to Avoid
- Best Laminate Floor Cleaner: Top Commercial Products
What is Laminate Flooring?
Even though laminate flooring is often grouped with wood flooring options, it’s not wood in the traditional sense. Instead, laminate is a manmade product that involves gluing a top layer of resin-infused photographic paper onto a base of particleboard or wood-chip composite. Essentially, laminate flooring is like a photograph of wood, and it’s so convincing that even a magnifying glass might not reveal the difference!
Laminate flooring has plenty of perks: it’s scratch-resistant, easy to install, and generally much more affordable than hardwood. However, it’s important to remember that laminate is highly susceptible to moisture, especially water, which can cause serious damage.
To keep your laminate flooring looking beautiful and in top-notch condition, knowing the right cleaning and maintenance techniques is crucial. With proper care, you can enjoy the look of gorgeous, natural wood without the hefty price tag and upkeep concerns.
Pros and Cons of Laminate Flooring
Pros:
- Cost: Laminate flooring is much more affordable than hardwood or stone, making it a budget-friendly choice for many homeowners.
- Durability: It’s resistant to scratches and dents, perfect for high-traffic areas. Plus, it’s moisture-resistant, making it a good fit for bathrooms and kitchens.
- Easy to Clean: Maintaining laminate flooring is a breeze. A simple damp mop or broom will easily remove dirt and debris.
- Wide Range of Styles: From wood to stone looks, laminate flooring comes in a variety of styles, so you can find the perfect match for your home’s decor.
- Easy to Install: Many laminate flooring options are designed as “floating floors” that can be installed over existing floors without the need for glue or nails.
Cons:
- Not as Durable as Hardwood or Stone: While durable, laminate flooring isn’t as strong as hardwood or stone and may not withstand heavy use as well.
- Limited Repair Options: If a piece gets damaged, it can be tricky to repair and might need a full replacement.
- Limited Resale Value: Although it’s cost-effective, laminate flooring may not add as much value to your home as hardwood or stone when it’s time to sell.
- Not Suitable for All Areas: Laminate flooring may not be the best choice for moisture-prone areas like basements or outdoor spaces. It’s also not recommended for commercial settings due to its lower durability.
Cost of Laminate Flooring
Laminate flooring is a budget-friendly alternative to hardwood, tile, or stone, with prices starting as low as $1 per square foot. However, the overall cost can vary based on a few factors: the quality of the material, the thickness of the planks, and the size of the area you’re covering.
For instance, high-quality laminate with thick planks and a realistic wood or stone finish might run you $3 to $5 per square foot. On the other hand, lower-quality options with thinner planks and less realistic finishes can be as cheap as $1 per square foot.
Don’t forget about installation costs, which can vary widely. Hiring a contractor can be pricey, but doing it yourself can save you money—though it may take more time and might not turn out quite as polished as a professional job.
Another cost to consider is underlayment. This optional layer, which provides cushioning and sound insulation, typically costs between $0.50 and $1 per square foot. While not necessary for all laminate types, it can add comfort and reduce noise, making it a worthwhile investment.
In total, you can expect to spend between $1 and $6 per square foot on laminate flooring, depending on the quality and installation method. While it may not be as durable or long-lasting as some other flooring options, laminate is a great choice for those on a tight budget who want the look of wood or stone without the hefty price tag.
How to Clean Laminate Floors: Step-by-Step Guide
Cleaning laminate floors can be a breeze if you know the right techniques. Here’s how to clean your laminate floors like a pro:
- Start with a Good Sweep: Dust, sweep, or vacuum your laminate floors to remove loose dirt and debris. This makes the cleaning process much more effective.
- Mix Your Own Cleaner: Whip up a simple yet effective cleaning solution. Combine 1 part alcohol (isopropyl, denatured, plain vodka, or gin), 4 parts distilled water, and a few drops of Blue Dawn dishwashing liquid. This mix is tough on grime but gentle on your floors. View full recipe here.
- Spray and Mop: Fill a spray bottle or your spray mop reservoir with the cleaning solution. Spray small sections of the floor and gently scrub. Alternatively, dip a mop or sponge into the solution, then wring out excess liquid. Be careful not to oversaturate the laminate, as too much moisture can cause warping.
- Dry and Buff: Use a clean, dry towel to blot up any excess moisture and buff the floor dry. This prevents streaks and water spots, keeping your laminate looking its best.
- Tackle Tough Stains Carefully: For tough stains or ground-in dirt, you might need a mild abrasive cleaner. Always test a small, hidden area first to ensure the cleaner won’t damage your laminate.
By following these steps, you can keep your laminate floors clean and beautiful without risking damage. Remember, a little care goes a long way in maintaining the look and longevity of your laminate flooring.
See full recipe and instructions →Â
Common Cleaning Mistakes to Avoid
Mistake: Wet mops
Using a soaking wet mop might work wonders on concrete, tile, or vinyl floors, but it’s a big no-no for laminate. Always wring out your mop so it’s just slightly damp. Clean small areas at a time and quickly follow up with a microfiber cloth to remove any leftover moisture.
Mistake: Letting Liquids Sit
Water and laminate floors do not mix well. Never let water or any kind of moisture sit on your laminate. Clean up spills immediately. Those tiny cracks and spaces between the laminate planks might look sealed, but they’re not. The particleboard underneath will soak up the moisture like a sponge, causing it to swell—and that’s a one-way ticket to a ruined floor. So, be quick to wipe up any spills.
Mistake: Using Wax or Polish
Laminate flooring has a protective surface layer. Adding polish or wax will not enhance this—it will actually ruin the look of your floor, leaving you to wonder what happened to its once-beautiful appearance.
Mistake: Using Abrasives
Steer clear of green Scotchbrite scrubbing sponges, Bon Ami, or any abrasive cleaners. While the top protective layer of laminate can resist fine scratches, abrasive cleaners will dull that finish in no time. Stick to gentler options to keep your floor looking its best.
Mistake: Steam Cleaning
Steam cleaning is fabulous for some surfaces but not for laminate flooring. The hot steam can force its way into the seams and crevices, causing the particleboard underneath to swell and damage beyond repair. Plus, steam can loosen the adhesive over time. So, keep the steam cleaner away from your laminate.
Avoiding these common mistakes will help you maintain the beauty and longevity of your laminate flooring. Treat it with care, and it will continue to look great for years to come.
Best Laminate Floor Cleaner: Top Commercial Products
If DIY solutions aren’t your thing, don’t worry! There are plenty of great commercial laminate floor cleaners that can make your life easier. Here are my top picks, complete with Amazon links for easy shopping. You might also find these products at stores like Home Depot, Lowes, Target, and Walmart.
Best Overall: Better Life Floor Cleaner
Better Life Natural Floor Cleaner
This cleaner has a delightful natural scent and leaves your laminate floors looking fantastic. It’s safe for pets, easy to use, and offers great value. Made with plant-based ingredients like corn and coconut, it’s naturally scented with grapefruit, peppermint, and bergamot.
Best Inexpensive: Zep Hardwood and Laminate Floor Cleaner
Zep Hardwood and Laminate Floor Cleaner, 2-Pack
This professional-grade formula is a budget-friendly option that doesn’t skimp on performance. It leaves a nice shine, is easy to use, and has a pleasant smell. Plus, it’s fast-drying and requires no rinsing, making it super convenient.
Best for Shine: Rejuvenate All Floors Cleaner with Shine Booster
Rejuvenate All Floors Cleaner with Shine Booster
If you want your floors to sparkle, this is the cleaner for you. It offers excellent cleaning power and a pleasant scent, leaving your floors with a natural shine that lasts. Though it’s a bit pricier, the results are worth it.
Best for Pets: Nature’s Miracle Hard Floor Cleaner
Nature’s Miracle Hard Floor Cleaner
This cleaner is a powerhouse when it comes to removing pet stains and odors. It has a pleasant scent and leaves floors shiny. It’s a bit more expensive, but it’s ideal for tackling tough messes from urine, fecal matter, grease, oil, and other organic stains. Plus, it’s safe to use around pets.
Choosing the right cleaner can make a big difference in maintaining the beauty and longevity of your laminate floors. Whether you’re looking for overall performance, a budget-friendly option, extra shine, or pet-specific cleaning power, there’s a product here that will meet your needs.
Question: What’s your go-to method for cleaning laminate floors? Share your best tips and tricks with us.
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I support your floor cleaner recipe! I would like to know about GOOD felt feet for the dining chairs, though. It seems mine wear out in about a month. TIA.
What are your thoughts on swiffer mop? They make one solution for wood floors that I had assumed was also good for laminate. We are smack in the middle of a whole house laminate intall!!
Swiffer Wet Jet is great for your laminate floor. Just make sure you work in small areas spraying, mopping, and then wiping dry so there is no standing solution.You are not going to enjoy how expensive the Wet Jet refills are. That’s why I recommend you make it yourself. Here are the tips and tricks to get the bottle open to refill without ruining it. (Apparently the Wet Jet follks aren’t keen on us making this ourselves!)
How to Make WetJet Multi-Surface Solution Refills for Pennies
what can be substituted for isopropyl in the recipe for laminate flooring: Next, make up this cleaning solution: 1 part alcohol (isopropyl, denatured, plain vodka, gin), 4 parts distilled water, and a few drops of Blue Dawn dishwashing liquid.
Also, what can be substituted for rubbing alcohol in this recipe:
Wood, Laminate, Vinyl Floor Cleaner
Ingredients
1 cup rubbing alcohol
4 cups distilled water
8 drops blue Dawn
You can substitute denatured alcohol, plain vodka, or gin for the rubbing alcohol, as noted in the post and also in your question!
All of these helpful hints were for a wood laminate floor. Do you have any helpful tips for vinyl laminate?
How to Clean and Care for Hardwood, Laminate, and Vinyl Floors Floors
I’m surprised you didn’t recommend Bona. The people who installed my laminate flooring used it to clean the floor after they were done. They recommended it.
I find the Bona line of floor cleaners to do a fine job of maintaining a clean floor (laminate, wood, stone … there are several variants in the Bona lineup), but Bona does not, in my opinion do a good job of cleaning. My test was to clean a dirty floor with Bona Floor Cleaner, allow to dry then go over it again with a clean white cloth. There should be no dirt on that cloth, right? Well that wasn’t the case. That was my experience.
Thanks for replying so quickly. I’m definitely switching and have already put Better Life on my Amazon wish list.