Make your laminate floors shine with our tips on cleaning, regular upkeep, and stain removal.
Kayla is a writer, artist, and designer. She has worked in the publication, agency, government, and nonprofit spheres. As an editorial assistant for Better Homes & Gardens, she contributed to areas including home, recipes, and finances. She currently serves as editor of JoCo Magazine. With a background in both design and writing, Kayla is a well-rounded communicator. In her current role as the editor and designer of JoCo Magazine, she utilizes these skillsets every day. Kayla holds degrees in magazine journalism and graphic design from Drake University. Blonde Oak Laminate Flooring
Today's laminate flooring is a cost-effective, attractive option with highly realistic finishes and textures. It can mimic the look of any wood imaginable, including rare or exotic hardwoods, as well as stone and other flooring styles. Laminate floors are strong and difficult to scratch; this material doesn't expand and contract like hardwood. Methods for how to clean laminate floors include light maintenance, which will keep your floors looking shiny and new for years to come.
Laminate floors get their beautiful appearance from a photographic reproduction, layered inside protective plastic coatings on a supporting core of wood-based material. Although laminate floors look like hardwood, they cannot be refinished and are difficult to repair. If laminate gets worn down, it will have to be replaced, so it's worth your time and effort to keep your laminate flooring clean and free from damaging grit and moisture. Put mats by exterior doors, lay down runners, or add area rugs in high-traffic rooms and floor protectors beneath the feet and corners of heavy furniture. These steps will help prevent your laminate floors from accumulating wear over time.
First and foremost, always follow the manufacturer's care instructions for your new laminate floor, and don't hesitate to call your manufacturer with questions.
Harsh products aren't recommended for cleaning laminate floors. When installed in other areas of the house, cleaning laminate floors is easy. Practicing light maintenance regularly will keep your floors looking shiny and new for years to come.
If you inherited this type of flooring when you moved in, you'll want to understand how to clean laminate floors to make them last. Plan to take care of them by regularly sweeping, dusting, or vacuuming loose dirt. Sweep or vacuum in the direction that your floor is laid to catch debris between the interlocking pieces. Wipe up all spills right away, including dry materials that fall.
Light, damp mopping will help if simply wiping is not enough, but you should exercise caution. Avoid overly wet mopping, which can result in water seeping behind baseboards. When you do mop, use two buckets of water: one for clean water and one for dirty water. Using a dirty mop head on your floors is usually the reason why annoying streaks appear afterward. Before you mop, vacuum first instead of sweeping, as vacuuming is much more effective at picking up particles. Just be sure to switch your vacuum setting to a soft brush. Rotating bristles on standard brushes can scratch a laminate floor.
Water is typically all you need to clean your laminate floor. If you must use cleaner, opt for a manufactured-approved solution designed for laminate. Use a small amount of vinegar mixed with water for a homemade laminate floor cleaner. Never use wax, acrylic products, or bleach because they can damage the floor's finish.
If standing water is on the floor after mopping, dry it with a microfiber cloth.
As with most surfaces, cleaning up spills right when they happen is always good practice. Luckily, laminate floors do not stain easily. But if something does get stuck or stained on your laminate floors, your first line of defense is a manufacturer-approved laminate stain remover ($8, The Home Depot). Natural recipes, like those with vinegar, baking soda, or liquid soap, can also help to remove laminate flooring stains. Just be sure to stay clear of abrasive sponges and scrubbers like steel wool when you're cleaning laminate floors, as these can create permanent scratches.
For particularly tough stains, try the following home remedies:
Rustic Laminate Flooring As durable as laminate flooring is, it's more susceptible to moisture damage than real wood. For spaces where water may be present, whether due to leaking or the room's function, including mudrooms, entryways, bathrooms, and laundry rooms, consider more durable products, including porcelain or ceramic tile, engineered hardwood, concrete, luxury vinyl, or terra-cotta tile. Avoid wall-to-wall carpeting in these areas since, like laminate flooring, carpeting is difficult to clean if it gets wet. Similarly, basement flooring should be more durable than laminate flooring.