6 Simple Tips On How To Clean Laminate Flooring

There are a number of ways to clean laminate wood flooring that most homeowners are missing.

Here are a few tips to help you. Follow them correctly and consistently, and your floor will continue to look brand new for years

A Simple Cleaning Guide

Tip #1 Dust Mop

Use a dust mop instead. Since it is made of microfiber dust easily attaches to it as you glide it along the floor. It has a flat head, allowing you to cover a larger area faster, and its neck swivels so you can clean underneath tables and chairs. Most importantly, you don’t have to dip it in water.

One microfiber pad can cover around two regular sized bedrooms. When it is already too dirty, simply remove the cloth so it can be rinsed and reattached to the mop. Now you can see why using a microfiber mop is so much easier than a string mop, where you have to soak and squeeze every so often.

Tip #2 Soft Bristle Broom

Should there be a time that you want to use a broom, as it is still quicker to use than a mop, then use a soft bristle broom. Regular brooms with hard bristles can scratch the surface of the floor over time. Soft bristle brooms, on the other hand, are specially made for sweeping fine particles on smooth flooring, and they will not scratch the floor surface.

Tip #3 Vacuume Cleaner

You can use a vacuum cleaner to suck out the dust and hairs before you mop the floor. When doing this, only use the suction. Do not attach the beater bar, because it can damage the flooring.

Tipe #4 Choosing a Cleaning Solution

Ask the flooring manufacturer if they recommend a specific brand. Make sure that it is non-toxic, non-flammable as well as water-based. Also check if the product is certified for indoor air quality and is safe for pets and children. Most non-toxic products are free of ammonia, bleach, chlorine and phosphates.

Some of the most recommended laminate floor cleaners are the ones from Black Diamond and Bona. One of the best ways to evaluate the quality of the cleaning solution is to read product reviews and to test them on a small portion of your room.

Pour the solution directly into a mist bottle. There’s no need to mix the solution with water. Spray the solution onto the dust mop before wiping the floor. It is recommended that you dampen the mop a little with warm water before spraying the solution. If the mop gets dirty, rinse the mop pad before reusing. This is to avoid streaking caused by dirt on the mop pad.

Tip #5 Vinegar and Water

Another cheaper option that I know a lot of people use is to clean laminate floors with vinegar and water. The result is just as good.

How do you prepare this homemade laminate floor cleaner?

Simply mix the following together and pour into a spray bottle, then shake well:

Some of the popular polishing products are: 

After wiping the floor with a commercial or home-made cleaning solution, spray or pour the polishing solution onto the floor starting at the farthest corner of the room. Make sure to shake the solution bottle before opening.

Spread the polish using a microfiber mop or cloth and divide the room into portions to work on. Let the polish dry as per the manufacturer’s instructions and apply a second coat if needed. Leave it to dry for another 24 hours before bringing in furniture and walking on it.

Heres a video on how to polish laminate flooring:​

1. Install roller blinds or curtains to block the sun’s rays. Excessive and direct exposure to sunlight can cause your laminate floor to fade faster.
2. ​Move furniture and area rugs around so that your floor will age evenly.
3. Leave wet shoes and umbrellas outside the house during rainy days. Better yet, don’t bring in the shoes at all and use an indoor slipper instead.
4. ​Purchase high quality floor mats and protective floor pads for furniture and cabinetry. Aside from placing one at the entrance, also place floor mats in front of sinks and stoves to minimize wear. The floor protectors will prevent scratches and indentations on the floor.
5. If you encounter oil stains, paint stains and the like, wipe them off carefully using a nail polish remover. Once the stain is removed, wipe the area again with a damp cloth to remove the remainder of the acetone-based remover.
6. ​Should there be any accidental spills, wipe them up right away with a cloth or paper towel. Don't let liquids stand for more than a few seconds on the floor, to prevent warping.
7. To remove chewing gum or similar substances, place ice over it to harden. Carefully scrape it using a plastic scraper, making sure that you don’t scratch the surface. Afterwards, wipe the floor with a damp cloth.
8. ​Remove grease stains with mineral spirits. Remove ink or nail polish stains with rubbing alcohol.
9. You can replace just one piece of damaged plank by contacting the manufacturer.
10. ​Maintain a recommended RH (Relative Humidity) between 35 to 65 percent in your home. This will preserve the natural levels of expansion and contraction of the wood floor.

Here are a few things you should avoid:

1. Waxing or polishing your floor. Laminate flooring is not entirely made of real wood; hence waxing can cause warping and swelling, and even void the manufacturer’s warranty.
2. ​Using strong chemicals like ammonia and chlorine, bleach or abrasive cleaning solutions.
3. Applying the cleaning solution directly on the floor instead of spraying it onto the mop or damp cloth.
4. ​Using steel wool or scouring pads.
5. Using heavy cleaning equipment like steam mops, floor scrubbers or floor buffers.
6. ​Wet-mop cleaning with water.