Laminate flooring is a popular choice for many homes these days. It’s long-lasting, cheap, and simple to keep up. Laminate floors can look great for years if you take good care of them and clean them often. Learn how to clean laminate flooring the right way, step by step.
Supplies Needed
- Microfiber mop
- Soft broom
- Vacuum cleaner
- Laminate floor cleaner
- Clean microfiber cloths
- Bucket of clean water
Before cleaning, ensure you have all the necessary supplies ready. A microfiber mop, soft broom, and vacuum cleaner are needed to clean floors. Mix a little laminate floor cleanser with a pail of clean water. After mopping, microfiber towels dry the floors.
5 Steps to Clean Laminate Flooring
1. Sweep and Vacuum
The first step is to sweep the entire laminate flooring thoroughly. It helps remove any loose dirt, debris, and grit. Pay close attention to corners and along baseboards where dirt accumulates. After sweeping, vacuum the floor with a brush attachment. The vacuum lifts embedded dirt and dust from the laminate flooring grooves.
Vacuuming also helps reach areas where the broom cannot remove dirt, such as under furniture and appliances. Be sure to get under beds, sofas, desks, and other fixtures.
2. Mix the Cleaning Solution
Get the cleaning product ready. Half-fill a bucket with warm water. For a large bucket, add a small amount of laminate floor cleaner, about 1/4 cup. If you use too much cleaner, it can leave a sticky film behind.
Read the label to find out the exact amounts to dilute. Swish the water around a little to mix the solution. You can also use warm water and light dish soap. Cleansers and soaps that are too harsh may damage the laminate surface.
3. Damp Mop the Floor
Now, mop the floor with the cleaning solution. Dip a microfiber mop into the bucket and wring out excess water. The mop should be damp but not soaking wet. Working in sections, mop the floor using back-and-forth motions. Rinse the mop frequently as you go.
Be sure to reach along baseboards and into corners. Avoid excessive scrubbing or pressure, as this can scuff the laminate. Work methodically until the entire floor surface is mopped. Let the floor air dry for about 15-20 minutes.
4. Rinse and Dry
After that, give the floors one last rinse. It helps get rid of any cleaner residue that’s still there. Put clean water in another bucket. Put water on a clean cloth mop, squeeze out the extra water, and mop the floor again. Do small areas at a time and wash the mop often.
Use a few clean microfiber cloths to dry off any extra water after the last rinse. Do not leave puddles or wet spots behind. To dry things faster, open the windows or use a fan. While the floor dries, you should only walk on it in socks.
5. Address Tough Stains
For stubborn spots like food stains, mud, or greasy marks, use a cleaning paste. Mix a small amount of laminate cleaner with baking soda into a spreadable paste. Apply the paste onto the stain and let sit for 5 minutes.
Dishwashing liquid can be used to get rid of oily spots. Put a little on the spot and scrub it with a sponge that doesn’t scratch. Rinse well until there is no more soap left on the skin. It keeps filmy debris from building up.
Some Additional Laminate Floor Cleaning Tips
- Always use a damp mop only. Too much water can damage laminate flooring over time.
- Look for laminate floor cleaners specifically formulated to be gentle and pH-neutral. Avoid bleach, ammonia, acids, and abrasives.
- Use a microfiber mop and pad to help grab dirt. Change mop heads frequently to prevent redepositing grime.
- Work in sections and rinse the mop head often for best cleaning results.
- Remove spills immediately to prevent stains and water damage.
- Inspect laminate planks for excessive moisture or swelling, which indicates water damage.
- Consider using protective mats at entryways and in high-traffic areas to reduce dirt and moisture.
- Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for what products are safe for your specific laminate floors.
Final Words
Keeping laminate floors clean and looking nice doesn’t take much work. Laminate floors can always look their best if they are swept, vacuumed, or mopped with the right cleaning solution on a regular basis and deep cleaned every once in a while for really tough spots. This step-by-step guide makes cleaning laminate floors easy for anyone. Cleaning your laminate floors will keep them looking good for years.
