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Originally posted 17th July 2019

Last updated 5th February 2024

How To Clean Laminate Flooring

When it comes to cleaning your laminate flooring, it’s easy to become confused. While laminate...

Paul Hambidge

Managing Director Factory Direct Flooring Ltd

4 min read
Written by Expert

When it comes to cleaning your laminate flooring, it’s easy to become confused. While laminate is more moisture-resistant than solid wood, you still need to be careful when applying water to clean. But why is this? To help you get the most out of your floor, here are our tips on keeping your laminate in good condition.

How To Clean Laminate Floors FAQS

There's more to cleaning laminate floor than just running a wet mop over the top and hoping for the best. Below, we've collated the most commonly asked questions around maintaining and cleaning laminate floors. Check out the list now and be on your way to sparkly laminate in no time at all.

Does Water Ruin Laminate Floors?

Does water ruin laminate flooring

Although laminate flooring is highly durable and water-resistant, its inner core is made up of high-density fibreboard. Therefore, while it can withstand moisture significantly more than solid wood flooring, it’s best to avoid excessive levels of water. For this reason, it’s recommended to avoid a wet mop for wood floors, which could put your flooring at risk of damage. Another big no is steam cleaners, again due to the levels of humidity, which could cause the laminate to lift.

What is the Best Mop to Use For Laminate?

The best mop for laminate floors is one that will pick up dirt, won't leave behind excess water and won't scratch. In this case, the best solution when it comes to cleaning laminate flooring is a microfibre mop. These mops pick up dust while giving your floor an extra shine. They require less water than a standard mop, so you can ensure your laminate floor is in safe hands. Other mops that could be suitable include a specific laminate floor mop or wood floor mop.

How to Mop Laminate Floors

How to mop laminate floors

Glide a microfibre mop sprayed in laminate floor cleaning solution across your floor. If you don’t want to buy a solution, you can easily make your own which is equally effective. Simply combine 1 part vinegar and 3 parts water together. Add 1 teaspoon of washing up liquid and mix your concoction together before putting it in a spray bottle. As bizarre as it sounds to use vinegar on flooring, it’s actually a remarkable cleaning solution that can achieve shiny results.

Lightly dampen your mop by spraying on some solution, then tackle your flooring. Remember to drain your mop if it absorbs too much water, as you don’t want your flooring to get too wet. After cleaning, allow your flooring to dry. Open the windows and doors for extra ventilation to speed up the drying process.

What Do You Use to Clean Laminate Flooring?

After your flooring is hoovered and dust-free, you’ll need a cleaning solution to mop on the laminate. If you choose not to buy a cleaning solution, it’s pretty straightforward to make your own and save some money.

White vinegar is a miracle worker when you mop laminate flooring, simply combine 1 part vinegar and 3 parts water together. Add 1 teaspoon of washing up liquid and mix your concoction together before putting it in a spray bottle.

Then just glide your mop over your laminate flooring. If the microfibre pad gets too dirty, rinse it and replace it.  Remember to properly drain your mop if it absorbs too much water, as you don’t want your flooring to get too wet. After that, leave your flooring to dry. It helps to open the windows and doors for extra ventilation to speed up the drying process.

How to Hoover a Laminate Floor

How to hoover a laminate floor

Unlike carpet, laminate flooring will show any dust or dirt quite easily. So, it’s important to keep on top of hoovering to help you get rid of loose dirt or grit and be ready for mopping. It’s recommended not to use a rotating beater bar while hoovering. Instead, use a hoover with specialist hardwood flooring attachments. This limits what can go wrong and helps avoid any marks. Also, be careful while moving the hoover around the floor, as grit stuck to the wheels could scratch the laminate.

Can You Use Steam On A Laminate Floor?

Can you use steam on a laminate floor

Although the surface is water-resistant, laminate flooring has an inner core which is made up of high-density fibreboard. So while the odd spill is okay, excessive moisture could attack the inner core and damage your new flooring. But while a wet mop is a definite no, do steam cleaners have the same damaging effects?

Unfortunately, no. Laminate flooring is sensitive to heat and moisture, so the humidity from your steam mop can cause harm. It won’t cause as much damage as a wet mop, but could eventually cause your floor to warp, loosen or peel. Therefore, even if your steam mop says it will work on laminate floors, it’s best to stick to avoid steam altogether.

What can go wrong when cleaning laminate?

As well as avoiding steam, it helps to prevent any dirt or damage to your laminate floor in the first place. If you haven’t already, invest in a doormat to stop dust and dirt travelling through to your new flooring. If you find your floor is prone to scratches, try putting furniture protectors underneath your chairs and tables. Last but not least, be quick to respond to any accidental spillages. Use a damp cloth to blot up spills as soon as they happen and your flooring should remain good as new.

After your laminate flooring is thoroughly cleaned, try to keep it in the best condition possible. It’s recommended that you do not use polish, varnish or wax on laminate flooring, as most types have a pre-finished wear layer which will never need further treatment.

We hope this helps you achieve squeaky clean laminate flooring! If you need any further help, please call us on 0330 100 00 15.

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About the Author

Paul Hambidge, Managing Director

Paul has 32 years of flooring industry knowledge & experience from both an installation and manufacturing perspective. He started out as installer of very large commercial flooring projects for multiple retailers. As director of Factory Direct Flooring Ltd, he has been involved in all aspects of flooring and has worked with some of the largest producers of wood flooring, vinyl flooring and laminate floors.