How to clean laminate wood floors

Laminate wood floors need regular cleaning to avoid scratches and warping, but using harsh cleaners can cause streaks or damage the surface. Regular dry cleaning is essential, although warm water or mild cleaners can be used for deeper cleaning. Here are some of the most effective ways to clean laminate wood floors.

Sweep the floor regularly. Every few days, you should sweep and mop the floor to remove dust and dirt.

• Laminate wood floors have good scratch resistance, but dust, hair, and debris can cause scratches if left to accumulate. Sweeping the floor regularly prevents these marks.
• Instead of using a dry dust mop, consider using a vacuum with a soft brush attachment.
• Avoid using a regular broom. The hard bristles can damage the floor surface.
• Always sweep in the direction of the laminate planks to remove sand and particles from between the gaps.

Wipe up spills immediately. Use a cloth or sponge to clean up any liquid that spills onto the floor.

• Do not let liquids, including water, sit on the laminate floor for too long. Liquids can cause stains or damage the protective layer on the laminate wood surface.
• Use a dry cloth to soak up the spill on the floor.
• Moisten the cloth or sponge before wiping the spill area thoroughly to clean any remaining marks.
• Wipe again with a dry, soft cloth. Do not leave the floor wet.

Fill a bucket with hot water. The water doesn’t need to be boiling, but it should be hotter than lukewarm.

• It’s a good idea to wash the floor with hot water every few months or when large areas of the floor get dirty.
• Hot water is considered one of the best methods for cleaning laminate wood floors because it doesn’t leave streaks if used properly. It is unlikely to damage the laminate’s protective layer since water is the gentlest cleaner you can use.

Dip the cloth and wring out the excess water. Soak the mop in hot water and wring it out so that it is only slightly damp.

• You can use a traditional mop, but a mop with a sponge head will allow you to control the moisture level more easily.
• Be sure to wring the mop out thoroughly before cleaning. Even water can cause stains or damage laminate floors if it pools on the surface. Therefore, make sure the mop is only slightly damp before wiping the laminate floor.

Wipe the entire floor surface thoroughly. Start wiping from the center and gradually work your way out.

• You can also start wiping from one end of the room to the other. The one method you should avoid is starting at the outer edges of the floor and wiping toward the center, as you’ll have to step on freshly cleaned areas to leave the room.
• Since the mop is only slightly damp, you may need to dip it in water and wring it out a few times during the cleaning process.

Let the floor dry. If your laminate floor is still slightly damp, you can allow it to air dry naturally. Otherwise, use a dry, clean microfiber cloth to wipe it dry.

• Avoid using rough fabrics as they may scratch the surface of the floor.
• Do not leave water standing on the laminate floor for extended periods of time.

Mix a vinegar and water solution. Pour 1/4 cup (60 ml) of white vinegar into a 1-liter spray bottle. Fill the bottle with water and shake it well to ensure the vinegar and water are properly mixed.

• Diluted vinegar is especially effective when your laminate floor has dirt, mud, or stains that cause it to lose its color or appear dull.
• Pure vinegar is too strong, so be sure to dilute it with water.
• You can also make a similar solution by mixing 1/3 cup (80 ml) of vinegar with a little laundry detergent and 4 liters of warm water.

Spray the solution on the laminate floor in small sections. Apply the vinegar solution to areas no larger than 30 square centimeters at a time.

• Do not spray the entire floor all at once. You must wipe up the solution almost immediately, and spraying the whole floor at once can prevent you from cleaning it before it potentially damages the protective layer of the laminate floor.

Use a cloth or mop to wipe up the solution. After spraying the vinegar solution on the floor, wipe it immediately with a soft cotton cloth or a damp sponge.

• You can also use a microfiber cloth. Avoid using sponges or cloths made of rough materials.
• Make sure to wring out excess water from the cloth or mop before cleaning. Do not use a sopping wet cloth, as leaving water on the laminate floor for too long can cause it to warp.

Dry the floor. If the floor is still too wet after mopping, you should use a dry microfiber cloth to absorb any remaining water.

• If the floor is just slightly damp, you can allow it to air dry naturally without worrying about damage.

Fill a bucket with hot water. Pour around 4 liters of warm or hot water into a large bucket.

• The water does not need to be steaming, but it should be noticeably warmer than lukewarm.

Add gentle laundry detergent or baby shampoo. Stir 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of baby shampoo or mild dishwashing liquid into the hot water.

• Avoid using dish soaps with strong fragrances or dyes, as these can leave streaks or damage the floor.
• Gentle baby shampoo is ideal for laminate flooring; do not use regular adult shampoos.
• Use your hands to stir the mixture until the soap dissolves and bubbles start to form.
• Do not use harsh cleaners like bleach or other strong chemicals.

Dip and wring the mop cloth. Soak a cotton or sponge mop in the soap solution. Wring it out thoroughly so it remains only slightly damp.

• The soap solution works well for cleaning floors that have dirt, salt, or other types of grime.
• You can also use a microfiber cloth, but a mop is preferable as it allows you to clean the entire floor rather than just small sections.
• Excess water can cause laminate floors to warp, so it's crucial to wring the mop until it is only slightly damp, not soaking wet.

Mop the floor from one end to the other. Start at one end of the floor and work your way across to the other end, covering the entire surface.

• Alternatively, you can begin in the middle of the room and work your way outward. The only method to avoid is mopping from the outside in, as this would require you to step on freshly mopped areas to exit the room.
• As you mop the entire floor, remember to dip and wring out the mop if necessary to ensure it remains properly damp.

Dry the floor. If you are only using a damp cloth, the laminate floor will dry on its own fairly quickly. However, if you notice that the floor hasn’t dried by the time you reach the other end of the room, use a microfiber cloth to dry the floor.

• Do not leave puddles of water on the laminate floor for an extended period.

Clean blood stains with glass cleaner. Spray a small amount of glass cleaner on the stain, then use a warm, slightly damp cloth to wipe it away immediately.

• Use a microfiber cloth that doesn’t shed fibers.
• The sooner you address the stain, the easier it will be to remove.

Remove chewing gum residue from the floor with a plastic knife. Use a plastic knife to scrape off the gum residue, and then wipe away any remaining marks with a soft, damp cloth.

• For the best results, dampen the cloth with some mineral spirits (white gas).
• Do not use a metal knife, as its sharp edge can scratch the floor.

Wipe away fresh water stains, wine, crayon marks, or ink using a damp cloth. Generally, you can remove these stains by simply using a microfiber cloth that's slightly damp.

• You can dampen the cloth with a bit of white gasoline to remove crayon streaks.
• For stubborn ink stains, you may need to add a little detergent or ink remover to the cloth to clean the stain. Be sure to wipe the area again using a cloth soaked in clean, warm water.

Remove nail polish, shoe polish, or tar stains with acetone-based nail polish remover. Apply a small amount of nail polish remover to a microfiber cloth and scrub the stain until it’s gone.

• Then, wipe the area clean using a microfiber cloth dampened with water.

Use an eraser to remove heel marks and scuff marks from shoes. Simply rub the eraser over the marks until they disappear.

Use cold to clean grease stains. Place an ice pack or frozen vegetables on the stain until the grease hardens. Then, use a plastic scraper to remove the hardened grease.

• Do not use metal tools to scrape.
• To clean any remaining grease, spray a small amount of glass cleaner on the stain and wipe it away with a damp cloth.