Originally posted 17th July 2019
Last updated 3rd June 2024
How To Clean Laminate Flooring
Cleaning floors may seem like a chore, but with laminate flooring, maintenance is a breeze...
Cleaning floors may seem like a chore, but with laminate flooring, maintenance is a breeze. Laminate is known for its durability and being easy to clean, making it an excellent choice for various rooms in the home. However, to keep it looking pristine, proper care is essential. That's why we have created the perfect guide to cleaning and maintaining your floor. From the best products for regular cleaning to deep intensive techniques and tips for maintaining its appearance, we have got you covered.
Day-to-day cleaning and maintenance
For day-to-day care of laminate flooring, simple tasks like vacuuming, sweeping, and dusting with a dry cloth are key. While laminate often boasts scratch-resistant qualities, using non-abrasive cleaning tools remains crucial to prevent any potential damage.
The best way to clean your laminate flooring
When it's time to deep clean your laminate flooring, start by mixing a mild cleaner with warm water. Dampen a mop or cloth with the solution, ensuring it's not too wet. Gently mop the floor, being cautious not to oversaturate the laminate. Avoid using abrasive scrub brushes or harsh chemicals, as they can damage the floor. Once you've cleaned the entire floor, go over it again with a dry cloth or mop to remove any excess moisture.
It’s important to avoid tips and tricks involving DIY cleaners such as the popular white vinegar, baking soda, and lemon solutions. Although these may be eco-friendly, they are not laminate flooring-friendly and should be avoided to preserve the quality of your laminate flooring.
Which cleaning methods are most effective?
Working with experts at a microbiology lab, we ran an experiment to find out which cleaning methods are the most effective on different floor types. We found that steam mops are the most effective option for many surfaces, but they're unsuitable for laminate flooring due to the excessive moisture they generate. We found the same issue with a mixture of white vinegar and water, making them best avoided for laminate floors. This research showed the importance of selecting appropriate cleaning methods to clean your laminate flooring.
Most effective cleaning methods laminate floors:
- Vacuuming: This method reduced bacteria by 95% on laminate.
- Mopping: Mopping with detergent was particularly effective, reducing bacteria by 35%, but be cautious of excessive liquid usage.
- Floor Wipes: Ideal for cleaning hallways, using floor wipes reduced bacteria on laminate by 25%.
For each method, include imagery: the vacuuming picture should have a hard floor attachment, mopping picture should be a microfibre mop / flat mop, sweeping picture should be a soft bristle broom
Hoover your laminate floor first to remove loose dirt or grit
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.
Then deep clean with a microfibre mop
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.
How do I remove tough stains out of my laminate?
To tackle tough stains like candle wax or chewing gum on laminate flooring, use a bag of ice to harden the stain. Once it's hardened, carefully scrape it off being careful not to chip or scuff the flooring in the process. This method helps prevent the stain from spreading or embedding further into the laminate.
For less stubborn stains such as shoe scuffs, grass stains and make-up, a drop of acetone on a cloth and gently rubbed over the stain will lift this off easily. Do not pour any liquids directly on to the planks, and avoid getting into the grooves between the laminate boards.
It’s also important to use a white cloth when removing stains. Dyed or coloured clothes can transfer onto the laminate, making the mark worse.
What to do about spills
If you spill something on laminate flooring, don't wait—clean it immediately! Grab a damp cloth to wipe away the spill, then follow up with a dry cloth to remove any leftover moisture.
What to do about dirt
Regular sweeping and vacuuming are essential to keeping your laminate flooring dirt-free. For sweeping, opt for a soft-bristle broom or dust mop, particularly in high-traffic areas like hallways and stairs. When vacuuming, steer clear of any with rotating brushes or beater bars, but make sure to use attachments specifically designed for hard floors, including specifically designed floor brushes, and crevice tools to clean between the grooves of the laminate.
How to remove scratches from laminate flooring
To remove any scratches, start by cleaning the scratched area to remove any dirt or debris. Next, apply a small amount of laminate filler or putty to the scratch, smoothing it out with a putty knife. Allow the filler to dry completely, then gently sand the area with fine-grit sandpaper until it's smooth and level with the surrounding flooring. Finally, clean the area again to remove any remaining residue.
Top care tips for your flooring
Your flooring is an investment, so choosing the right type and maintaining it properly ensures it lasts for years to come. Explore our selection of laminate flooring and discover more tips in our laminate buying guide.
Do | Don't |
---|---|
✔️ Use furniture pads | ❌ Use excessive water or steam mops |
✔️ Lift furniture when moving | ❌ Forget doormats in transition areas |
✔️ Keep pets' nails trimmed | ❌ Use a scouring pad or abrasive tools |
✔️ Regularly vacuum flooring | ❌ Leave spills or liquids to soak in |
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?
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.
Is laminate flooring waterproof?
Laminate flooring might be tough, but it's not waterproof. When you clean, keep water to a minimum. Too much can seep into the cracks and the laminate itself, leading to warping, stains, or fading. Even though laminate handles moisture better than solid wood, it's still wise to go easy on water.
Can you mop laminate floors? And What is the Best Mop to Use?
Yes, you can use a mop! 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.
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.
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.