How to Clean and Maintain Your Laminate Floors:
The Dos and Don’ts

If you have laminate floors in your home, It’s important to clean and maintain them the right way. The most important thing to keep in mind is that moisture and wood don’t mix. And since laminate is made with wood, you want to avoid exposing your floors to excessive moisture at all costs. Water + laminate = disaster!

Whether you have brand new laminate floors or you just want your flooring to look as good as when it was first installed, here are a few dos and don’ts on how to clean and care for your laminate floors to keep them looking great for years to come:

1. Do regularly dry mop your laminate floors

Prevent scratches and surface damage on your laminate floors with regularly dry mopping – aim for a daily wipe down. Opt for a wide microfiber broom head that will collect and cling to the everyday dirt that gets tracked across your floor. Microfiber heads are reusable and can be washed over and over again.

Dry mopping captures debris (such as dirt and dust brought in by shoes and paws) and reduces the chance of the same dirt grinding into the surface of your floors with continued foot traffic. It’s also best to dry mop in the direction the floor is laid in so that you collect all the dirt between the grooves instead of trapping it.

Dry mopping is a necessary step before any deeper spot cleaning as dirt particles can act like sandpaper between your rags and the flooring surface.

2. Don’t use anything abrasive on your laminate floors 

Avoid using steel wool, abrasive cleaners, or strong ammoniated or chlorinated type cleaners on laminate flooring. Also, don’t use any type of buffing or polishing machine on your floors. Use a soft-bristle broom or a dust mop to sweep up debris.

You can also vacuum by using a hard floor attachment – just don’t use a vacuum with a beater bar because it can scratch laminate. Even if you set the vacuum to the hard floor setting it can still scratch the surface. With a high gloss or piano surface, it’s best to eliminate vacuuming altogether and dry mop, just to be on the safe side. 

3. Do damp mop (carefully) your laminate floors periodically   

Use a slightly damp micro-fiber or terrycloth mop on your laminate floors periodically to help keep them looking fresh. Both are gentle enough to use on laminate and require less water. Microfiber mops glide across the floor picking up dirt and pet hair effortlessly. The swivel heads make it super fast to cover large areas and they can get under tables and chairs easily. 

Do not use mops like string mops or sponge mops that use a lot of water ( if water corrupts the core-board, it will cause it to warp). Also, never use steam cleaners or steam mops on your laminate floors which can cause swelling, warping, delamination, joint-line separation, and irreparable damage. 

4. Don’t use cleaning products that aren’t labeled for laminate floor use 

It is easier to keep your laminate looking beautiful using the correct products than to try and undo the damage caused by a product unsuited for your flooring type. Oil-based products or wax polishes can leave behind streaks and residue. Even when using a cleaning product made specifically for laminate floors, it should be used sparingly.

Apply the cleaner to a microfiber or terrycloth mop rather than directly on the floor. If you wash and reuse your mop heads, avoid using any kind of fabric softener, which contains chemicals that can create build-up over time and cause your floors to look dull and lackluster.

5. Do add acetone to your laminate floor spot-cleaning tool-kit

Laminate flooring is resistant to penetration by most household chemicals and organic solvents (acetone, red wine, coffee, tea, markers, etc.). Even the toughest stains can be safely removed with acetone with no damage to the floor. What may appear to be obstinate stains such as marker, lipstick, or nail varnish can be removed with a couple of quick swipes.

Dab a small amount of nail polish remover (acetone) onto a clean white cloth and gently rub the spot. Then wipe the area clean with a slightly damp cloth to remove any remaining residue. Candle wax or chewing gum can also be removed by hardening it first with ice. Then gently scraping it off with a plastic knife or credit card – careful not to scratch the floor surface. Lastly, wipe the area clean with a slightly damp cloth.  

6. Do consider making this easy DYI laminate floor cleaner

This recipe for homemade laminate floor cleaner is safe for your floors and works great. Combine 3 parts water to 1 part vinegar, add 1 squirt of liquid dish detergent, and put it all into a spray bottle. Making your own DYI laminate floor cleaner will save you from having to buy a more expensive store-bought cleaner. Note: Always spray the cleaner on the mop rather than directly on the floors.  

7. Don’t forget to protect the surface of your floors from future damage 

There are a number of ways you can protect your laminate floors from future damage. Avoid scratches from furniture by placing furniture pads under the legs of chairs, tables, dressers, beds, etc. Never slide heavy objects like furniture, appliances, exercise equipment, or boxes across the floor.

Also, keep your pet’s nails trimmed to prevent them from scratching your floor while roaming around. In high-traffic areas, be sure to use floor mats and rugs to prevent floor surface wear and tear. The use of entry mats can help collect the dirt, sand, grit, and other substances like oil, asphalt, or driveway sealer that might otherwise get tracked onto your floor.

The takeaway

Cleaning and caring for your laminate floors properly will keep them looking beautiful for many years. Being proactive with maintenance prolongs the length of time before a professional cleaning is needed and will also save you money by avoiding restoration costs. Whether you have brand new laminate flooring or your existing floor finish is looking lackluster or streaky, Clean Nation Company knows how to clean and maintain all types of flooring – including laminate.

A dull, streaky floor is usually the result of dirt build-up, the use of improper cleaning products, and cleaner residue – all of which can be prevented with a proper floor care program. Pinched for time? Our cleaning PROS will clean and maintain your laminate floors and get the rest of your house spic and span while we’re at it! 

Hiring a professional house cleaning service is not only practical but can be a real gamechanger for those with hectic schedules – giving you the peace of mind you deserve. When you hire Clean Nation Company, your first cleaning will be a detailed deep clean. Our cleaning PROS will touch every inch of your home corner-to-corner. After the first visit, you can choose the frequency of maintenance cleanings you desire such as bi-weekly, weekly, bi-monthly, or once-a-month cleanings.

In addition to tackling any visible dirt and dust in your home, we will clean the hidden areas that often get missed such as baseboards, under furniture, and those hard-to-reach spots like ceiling fans, hanging light fixtures, and behind the toilet. Our cleaners will bring to the job whatever cleaning supplies are needed to clean your home unless there is something specific you want us to use instead.

Worry-free services & customer satisfaction guarantee

Each one of our cleaning crew members undergoes extensive vetting and is background-checked before they are hired. We also train our team in all aspects of professional cleaning including the latest technologies, tools, products, equipment, safety, and quality standards. Clean Nation Company is fully insured and our cleaning PROS are bonded and covered by worker’s compensation insurance.

We strive to provide the best services possible and offer the following customer satisfaction guarantee: If you are not happy with any aspect of our service, please call us within 24 hours so we can resolve the issue at no additional cost to you. Simply put, we care about our customers. Our consistently high cleaning standards and attention to detail are what our customers love most about our services – and why they recommend us to family and friends!

Clean Nation Company:

• Woman-owned and operated full-service cleaning company
• Over 50 years (three generations) of experience in the cleaning industry
• 24/7 cleaning options & support
• Emergency one-time cleanings
• Professionally-trained cleaning specialists
• Electrostatic spray disinfection
• Commitment to the highest level of clean
• Licensed, bonded, and insured
• Customized cleaning solutions
• Quick response times
• 100% satisfaction guarantee
• OSHA, HIPAA, EPA, CDC, compliant
•  BBB Rating: A+

If you would like more information about our quality house cleaning and floor care services or to schedule a cleaning visit, please give Clean Nation Company a call today at (509) 217-4729 or request a free online cleaning quote now!

We proudly service Spokane, Spokane Valley, Liberty Lake, Post Falls, and the surrounding area.