Laminate floors need to be cleaned regularly to prevent scratches and deformation, but the use of harsh cleaners can create streaking or damage the laminate. The floor should be cleaned regularly with a dry mop and occasionally washed vigorously with warm water or a mild detergent. Here are some of the best ways to clean laminate floors.
Steps
Method 1 of 5: General cleaning
Step 1. Sweep the floor regularly
To remove everyday dirt, sweep the floor with a dry dust mop every few days.
- Although laminate flooring is reasonably scratch resistant, prolonged build-up of dirt, hair and debris can lead to scratches. Sweeping regularly will prevent them from forming.
- Instead of a dry dust mop, you can use a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush attachment.
- Do not use a regular floor brush. Hard, straw bristles can damage the surface.
- Sweep in the direction the laminate is laid. This will allow you to clean up any debris that gets caught in the gaps between the pieces of laminate flooring.
Step 2. Clean up spilled food immediately
Wipe up any spilled liquid immediately with a cloth or sponge.
- Do not leave any liquid, even water, on the floor for long. Liquid can stain or damage the protective layer of the laminate. Clean the liquid with a soft cloth.
- Moisten a cloth or sponge before cleaning to remove everything thoroughly.
- Dry the area with a dry, soft cloth. Do not leave the floor wet.
Method 2 of 5: Hot water
Step 1. Fill the bucket with hot water
The water should not be boiling water, but not just warm.
- Thorough, damp cleaning of laminate floors should be done every few months or after a large area of the floor has been severely soiled.
- Hot water is often considered one of the best ways to clean laminate flooring as it will not leave streaks if done correctly. In addition, it is unlikely that the protective coating of the laminate will be damaged because water is the softest detergent possible.
Step 2. Soak and wring out the mop
Soak a sponge mop in hot water and wring out so that it is only slightly damp.
- You can use a regular mop as well, but with a sponge mop it is easier to control the saturation level.
- The mop should be wrung out thoroughly before use. Water can stain or warp the laminated floor if you leave puddles. This is why the mop only needs to be slightly damp to clean laminate flooring.
Step 3. Thoroughly clean the floor
Cover the entire floor, starting from the center and working towards the exit from the room.
- You can also move from one wall of the room to the other. You should avoid moving from the outside of the room towards the center, as you will have to walk through the area you just washed to get out of the room.
- Since the mop is only slightly damp, you may need to wet it and wring it out several times in the process.
Step 4. Dry the floor
If the laminate is only slightly damp, let it dry on its own. If not, wipe with a clean, dry microfiber cloth.
- Do not use abrasive cloth as it may scratch the floor.
- Do not leave puddles of water on the laminate for long periods of time.
Method 3 of 5: Vinegar
Step 1. Make a vinegar / water solution
Pour 1/4 cup (60 ml) white vinegar into a 1 liter spray bottle. Fill the rest of the bottle with water and shake the mixture.
- Diluted vinegar is especially good for cleaning laminate floors that are discolored or tarnished by caked dirt or other stains.
- Vinegar is too abrasive in its pure form, so dilute it with water.
- You can create an alternative detergent by mixing 1/3 cup (80 ml) of vinegar with 3 doses (if the bottle has a dispenser) of liquid dish soap and 4 liters of warm water.
Step 2. Spray a small amount of the solution onto the laminate flooring
Spray the mixture on areas that are no more than 30 square centimeters.
Do not cover the entire floor with the mixture at once. You need to clean the mortar from the floor almost immediately, and having covered the entire floor with the solution, you will not have time to remove it before it starts to wear off the protective coating of the laminate
Step 3. Wipe the solution with a damp mop or cloth
Immediately after spraying the vinegar solution on the floor, wipe it off with a damp terry cloth or a mop and sponge.
- You can also use a soft microfiber cloth. Do not use an abrasive swab or cloth.
- Remember to wring out the mop or cloth before use. Do not leave the floor wet for a long time, as this may deform it.
Step 4. Dry the laminate
If there is a lot of water on the floor, soak it up with a dry microfiber cloth.
If a small amount of water remains on the floor, you can allow the floor to air dry without fear of damaging the laminate
Method 4 of 5: Mild soap
Step 1. Fill a large bucket with hot water
Add approximately 4 liters of warm or hot water.
The water should not be boiling water, but not just warm
Step 2. Add a mild cleanser or baby shampoo
Mix 2 tablespoons (30 ml) baby shampoo or mild liquid dishwashing liquid with hot water.
- Do not use a colored or scented dishwashing detergent, as it will most likely leave streaks or damage your laminate flooring.
- Baby shampoo is mild enough to use on laminate flooring, but do not use standard adult shampoos.
- Stir the soap and water with your hand until the soap dissolves and bubbles begin to form on the surface.
- Do not use abrasive cleaners such as bleach or other strong chemical cleaners.
Step 3. Soak and wring out the mop
Soak a mop and sponge in soapy water and wring out so that it is only slightly damp.
- Soapy water works well on floors that have been contaminated with street dirt, salt and snow, or other major forms of contamination.
- You can also use a microfiber cloth, but a mop is preferable as you will be cleaning the entire floor rather than small areas.
- Excess water can deform the laminate. That is why it is important that the mop is not wet, but only slightly damp.
Step 4. Wipe the floor from one side to the other
Start on one side of the room and work your way to the other side, covering the entire space.
- You can also start in the center and work your way towards the outer perimeter of the room. You should avoid moving from the outside of the room towards the center, as you will have to walk through the area you just washed to get out of the room.
- Re-wet and wring out the mop as needed to mop the entire floor.
Step 5. Dry the laminate
If you have used a small amount of water, the floor should air dry quickly. If the floor hasn't started to dry by the time you get to the other end of the room, hand dry it with a dry microfiber cloth.
Do not leave puddles of water on the laminate for long periods of time
Method 5 of 5: Removing problem spots
Step 1. Clean the blood stains with window cleaner
Spray a small amount of window cleaner on the stain and wipe immediately with a warm, slightly damp cloth.
- Use a non-abrasive microfiber cloth.
- The sooner you tackle the stain, the easier it will be to remove.
Step 2. Remove the chewing gum with a plastic knife
Scrape off the gum with a plastic knife and wipe off any residue with a soft, damp cloth.
- For best results, dampen a cloth with mineral spirits.
- Do not use a metal knife as it is too rough and may scratch the floor.
Step 3. Wipe off lemonade, wine, crayon marks or ink with a damp cloth
These stains are usually easily removed with a soft, damp microfiber cloth.
- You may need to apply mineral spirits to the fabric to remove any traces of wax crayons.
- To completely remove stubborn ink stains, add a small amount of detergent or ink remover to the fabric. A little later, re-wash the area with a cloth soaked in warm, clean water.
Step 4. Remove nail polish, shoe polish or tar with acetone
Add a little acetone to the microfiber cloth and rub the stain until it is completely gone.
Then wipe the area with a microfiber cloth soaked in clean water
Step 5. Erase the marks of the heels with an eraser
Just rub these marks with an eraser until they disappear.
Step 6. Freeze the fat
Apply a bag of ice or frozen vegetables to the stain to harden the fat. Peel off the frozen fat with a plastic knife.
- Do not use metal tools to clean grease.
- Remove residual grease by spraying a small amount of window cleaner onto the stain and wiping with a damp cloth.