Laminate flooring is a fantastic choice for any high-traffic home. Not only are they attractive, but they can stand up to the wear and tear that comes with having kids, pets, and a busy household. For long-lasting laminate floors, it's important to understand how to clean laminate floors as well as the best laminate floor cleaner options to use in your clean. National Floors Direct is here to help you, giving you the tips on the best ways to clean laminate floors including how to clean laminate floors without leaving a film.
Read our guide today!
Table of Contents:
- The Importance of Gentle Cleaning for Laminate Floors
- How to Clean Laminate Floors
- Laminate Floor Cleaning: What To Avoid
- How to Clean Laminate Floors Without Leaving a Film
- Laminate Floor Cleaner Options
- Laminate Floor Care Is Easy With High-Quality Flooring from National Floors Direct
The Importance of Gentle Cleaning for Laminate Floors
While laminate flooring is known for its durability and relatively easy maintenance, careful cleaning is essential to preserve its appearance and longevity. The wear layer, while protective, can be scratched or dulled by abrasive cleaners, harsh chemicals, or excessive scrubbing.
Furthermore, moisture can seep into the seams between planks if not properly addressed, potentially causing swelling and damage to the core layer. For these reasons, it's clear that understanding the best way to clean laminate floors is important to avoid damaging the layers of your laminate flooring. best practices on what and what not to do is important!
How to Clean Laminate Floors
Cleaning your laminate flooring is relatively easy. Want to learn the best way to clean laminate floors without doing ay harm to them? Here are 4 easy steps on how to clean laminate flooring.
Step #1: Regularly Clean Your Laminate Floors
The initial and crucial step in maintaining clean laminate floors involves the removal of loose dirt, pet hair, and debris, making a standard broom and dustpan essential tools for your cleaning routine; while a small handheld vacuum or dust buster can be convenient for quick cleanups, it's important to avoid using heavy vacuum cleaners that could potentially chip or scratch the floor's wear layer.
In addition to a broom, stocking up on microfiber cleaning cloths and investing in a laminate floor mop are highly recommended, as these tools, used with minimal liquid, can effectively reach into the textured grooves of the flooring to prevent residue buildup without causing scratches.
Therefore, establishing a routine of sweeping regularly with a soft-bristled or angled broom (ideal for edges and corners), utilizing a vacuum with a soft floor attachment (ensuring the beater bar is disengaged), or employing a microfiber dust mop forms the foundation of proper laminate floor care.
Step #2: Immediately Clean Small Messes & Scuffs Off Your Laminate Floors
After you sweep up any dry dirt or hair, most small messes can be cleaned up with a damp microfiber cloth. You can either use plain water or dilute some white vinegar or rubbing alcohol. Remember to avoid pouring liquid directly on the floor when cleaning.
For stubborn spots or areas of buildup, some people turn to glass cleaners like Windex. This method is helpful in a pinch, but use it sparingly and only in small areas. Spray the glass cleaner on a microfiber cloth and rub the floor clean, going with the grain whenever possible.
Drips of candle wax or chewing gum will scrape off easily with a credit card if you freeze them with an ice cube first. For shoe scuffs, try rubbing the area with a dry tennis ball before reaching for cleaning chemicals.
Step #3: Cleaning the Entire Laminate Floor
The best way to clean laminate flooring for an entire room is to use a damp microfiber or spray mop such as a Swiffer. These pick up dirt and grime without leaving streaks or pools of water. When washing a reusable mop head, don't use fabric softener, as this can leave residue behind the next time you clean the floor.
The Final & Forgotton Step: Drying Your Laminate Floors
While it's not strictly necessary to immediately dry your laminate floors after a light cleaning with a damp mop and a laminate-specific cleaner, it is highly recommended and often considered a crucial step.
Excess water can seep into the seams between planks, potentially causing swelling, warping, and long-term damage to the core layer of the laminate.
Therefore, to protect your investment and prevent water damage, it's best practice to follow up damp mopping with a dry microfiber cloth or mop to absorb any remaining moisture, especially along the edges and in corners.
Laminate Floor Cleaning: What To Avoid
Beyond understanding how to clean laminate, it's important to also understand how not to clean them. The composition of laminate flooring (a layer of compressed wood particles topped with a plastic veneer) makes it sensitive to heat and moisture.
Here are some common cleaning methods to steer clear of using on a laminate wood floor.
Avoid Water
The composite layer of laminate is made of wood particles packed tightly together and bound with adhesive. It absorbs moisture as much as (and sometimes more than) solid wood planks. The flooring expands when it soaks up water and can warp, bend, bubble, or even separate the seams between planks. The top layer of laminate flooring is water-resistant. Even so, water can seep through the cracks between planks if it's left to sit. This means you should avoid cleaning laminate floors with large amounts of water like with a traditional wet mop. If water or another liquid does spill on the floor, wipe it up as soon as possible.
Avoid Heat
The top layer of laminate (called the "wear layer") is made of a thin sheet of textured plastic. High heat can melt the plastic and disrupt the texture, cause the wear layer to peel off, or weaken the adhesive holding the composite layer together. Because of this, you should avoid using a steam cleaner on laminate floors at all costs. The combination of heat and moisture can do permanent damage to the floor after only one cleaning.
Avoid Scratches and Buildup
While scratches won't damage the integrity of your floor, they can dull the laminate's natural shine. Avoid using these cleaning tools to prevent scratches and chips:
- steel wool
- stiff-bristled scrub brushes
- woven plastic scrubbing pads
- heavy vacuum cleaners, especially ones with a brush
- abrasive cleaners
Along with scratches, floor waxes and polishes can also make your floor look dull when they build up over time. Try not to use oil- or ammonia-based cleaners made for hardwood floors. Soap can also leave a film behind, so use it sparingly and always remove the residue before it dries.
How to Clean Laminate Floors Without Leaving a Film
That frustrating film you see on your laminate floors after cleaning is often caused by residue left behind from cleaning products. Many common household cleaners, especially soaps, waxes, or all-purpose cleaners not specifically designed for laminate, can leave a sticky or cloudy layer. Using too much cleaning solution or not rinsing adequately (even though many laminate cleaners are "no-rinse") can also contribute to this build-up. Additionally, hard water minerals present in your cleaning solution can sometimes leave a dulling film on the floor's surface.
So, how do you clean laminate floors without leaving a film? Ditch the soapy or waxy cleaners that aren't specifically designed for laminate. Instead, opt for pH-neutral laminate floor cleaners.
Laminate Floor Cleaner Options
Natural Options:
Vinegar and Water Solution: A classic and cost-effective natural cleaner. Mix ½ cup of white vinegar with 1 gallon of warm water. Use a lightly dampened microfiber mop. Vinegar helps to cut through grease and grime without leaving a soapy residue.
Rubbing Alcohol and Water: Similar to vinegar, mixing ½ cup of isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol with 2 quarts of water in a spray bottle can create a streak-free cleaner.
Mild Dish Soap (Use Sparingly): A few drops of mild dish soap in warm water can help with tougher, greasy spots. However, it's crucial to use it very sparingly and rinse well with a damp mop to avoid residue.
Plant-Based Cleaners: Several brands offer plant-derived laminate floor cleaners that are often biodegradable and free of harsh chemicals. Brands like Better Life and Seventh Generation offer such options.
Big Brand/Commercial Cleaners:
Bona Hard-Surface Floor Cleaner: A popular and well-regarded option specifically formulated for hard surfaces like laminate. It's known for being pH neutral, residue-free, and safe for pets and children.
Swiffer WetJet Wood Floor Cleaner: While primarily marketed for wood, the Swiffer WetJet Wood Floor Cleaner is often safe for laminate and convenient for quick clean-ups. However, some prefer to avoid disposable pads for environmental reasons.
Rejuvenate All Floors Cleaner: This cleaner is designed for various hard floor types, including laminate, and aims to clean without leaving streaks while also offering some shine restoration.
Zep Hardwood & Laminate Floor Cleaner: A professional-grade cleaner known for its effectiveness in removing tough dirt and grime from laminate floors. Some users note a stronger scent.
Black Diamond Wood & Laminate Floor Cleaner: This cleaner is praised for its versatility and ability to remove dirt, grease, and scuff marks without rinsing.
When choosing a laminate floor cleaner, consider your priorities: natural ingredients, cleaning power for tough messes, convenience, or residue-free formulas. Always read the product label to ensure it's specifically designed for laminate floors.
Protecting Your Laminate Wood Floors From Damage
Keeping your laminate floors in great shape is easiest when you prevent damage and messes from happening in the first place.
Consider placing a mat and shoe rack just inside your entryway to keep from tracking dirt and mud inside, and don't wear high heels inside the house. Leave pet dishes on a waterproof tray or non-slip mat to keep them from spilling water on the floor. You may also want to lay down a rug in high-traffic or mess-prone areas.
Laminate Floor Care Is Easy With High-Quality Flooring from National Floors Direct
It only takes a bit of effort once or twice a week to keep the dirt at bay. Follow the above instructions on how to clean laminate floors to keep your home looking brand-new for years to come.
If you're looking for a new laminate floor, National Floors Direct can help! Full of versatile, high-quality laminate options, we can elevate the appearance of any house. Contact us online today for a free in-home estimate and we'll send one of our professional flooring experts your way.
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