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Wondering how to clean laminate floors without causing damage or losing that brilliant shine? While your laminate floors may look as good as hardwood floors, there are some critical differences in how you maintain and clean them. The good news is that cleaning laminate floors is easier when you know the right way. Once you know how to mop laminate floors and perform routine maintenance, you’ll be a laminate floor cleaning expert.
The Best Way to Clean Laminate Floors
How often should you clean your laminate floors? With daily maintenance, cleaning laminate floors every other week should work for most homes. How do you wash laminate flooring like The Maids®️? Follow these guidelines for cleaning laminate floors, and you’ll protect your investment for many years.
Read the Cleaning Instructions
Before you do anything, read the manufacturer’s instructions for your floors. The manufacturer knows how to clean laminate floors based on the materials used and the particular finish. Most companies that make laminate flooring have detailed guides and instructions on their websites for how to clean laminate floors.
Gather Your Supplies
Learning the best way to clean laminate floors includes selecting the best tools for the job. Laminate floors are durable but require a light touch when cleaning. We’ve hand-selected the ideal tools and cleaning solutions to help you clean laminate flooring like a pro:
- Bucket
- Microfiber mop
- Microfiber cloths
- Soft-bristled brush and broom
- Vacuum cleaner
- Hot water
- Mild dish soap
- Distilled white vinegar
Get to Work
To prepare your cleaning solution, fill the bucket ¾ full of hot water. Add a cup of white vinegar and a few drops of liquid dish soap. Set the bucket aside while you prepare your laminate floors for cleaning.
- Remove surface dust, dirt, and debris using a vacuum cleaner with the beater brush disengaged.
- Use a soft-bristled broom to get into corners and tight spots.
- Map out the room to ensure your cleaning path ends at an exit.
- Grab your bucket, mop, and a soft-bristled brush and head to your starting point.
- Create a lather in the bucket with your microfiber mop and wring it out.
- Mop about a 3 ft x 3ft area at a time, working in a side-to-side motion.
- Rinse and wring the mop between sections.
- When you’re done, empty the bucket and fill it with warm, clean water.
- Rinse your mop in the sink or use a wringer to remove any soap.
- Return to your starting point and mop the floor again to remove the cleaning residue.
- Let the floor dry while you put away your supplies and tools.
Learning the best way to clean laminate floors is quite an accomplishment, so show off your handiwork with a brilliant finish. Buff the floor with a soft cleaning cloth attached to a dust mop or a microfiber mop head. You can use microfiber cloths and put a little more muscle behind your buffing. Work in circles and buff each section of the floor for a sparkling shine.
Use These Tips for Removing Stains
Because stains remain on the surface, learning how to clean laminate floors with stains is easy by using mild cleaners and light scraping. Rubbing alcohol will remove paint, nail polish, crayon, and ink; soap, water, and vinegar should take care of most other stains. For dried stains, use a plastic scraper to get up as much as you can and then use vinegar.
How to Keep Your Laminate Floors Looking Newer Longer
Even the best laminate floor cleaner will have to work hard to get those floors shining again if they aren’t properly maintained. A dull, streaky laminate floor is usually caused by built-up dirt, improper cleaning products, and cleaner residue. Now that you have the scoop on cleaning laminate floors, it’s time to learn how to maintain laminate flooring.
Sweep or Vacuum Often
Keeping your laminate floors free of debris and dirt will help prevent scratches from regular foot traffic. A nylon broom can get up most of the pet hair, dust, and dirt. Use the soft brush attachment on your vacuum to vacuum hard-to-reach dust in the corners.
Tackle Spills Immediately
Cleaning laminate floors is much easier when you don’t have to stop and tackle stains. The best way to avoid stains is to wipe up spills immediately. Liquids can damage laminate floors, so it’s critical to minimize exposure to them.
Protect Your Floors
Once you know the best way to clean laminate floors, protecting them from dirt and scuffs is essential. To avoid scratches, put furniture pads under the legs of furniture, especially if they are moved frequently. Use welcome mats to minimize dirt that can scratch laminate floors.
Trim Your Pet’s Nails
Your cat or dog’s nails can cause tiny scratches on your laminate floor that you might overlook until the damage becomes extensive. Keep your pet’s nails trimmed and use mats under their food and water bowls.
Laminate Floor Cleaning Tips
Don’t Soak the Floor
If you remember only one thing about how to clean laminate floors, this is it. Traditional mopping can ruin laminate floors because water can seep into the seams and cause swelling and warping. Pools of water can also cause staining or fading, and using excessive amounts of cleaning solutions can break down the composition of some synthetic materials.
Avoid Products That Aren’t Approved for Laminate Floors
Cleaning laminate floors with harsh, commercial cleaning products can permanently ruin your flooring. It may be tempting, but don’t use wax or polish to shine your laminate floors. Oil-based products can leave streaks and residue and even damage the protective sealant.
Don’t Use Abrasive Cleaning Tools and Supplies
Steel wool and harsh cleaners can easily scratch laminate floors, so use a soft-bristle broom or dust mop to sweep up dust and dirt. If you’re vacuuming, turn off the beater bar or rotating brush to prevent scratches.
Clean and maintain your laminate floors correctly, and you’ll enjoy a beautiful finish for years to come. If you have carpet or rugs, be sure to check out our carpet cleaning guide to keep the rest of your floors looking great.
The Maids: Your Floor to Ceiling Housekeeping Resource
Now that you have beautifully clean laminate floors, what’s next? Whether you use our popular housekeeping guides or invest in professional cleaning services, The Maids has you covered. If you’re ready for a clean home more often and time to relax and recharge, you’re ready for The Maids.
Discover what a healthy approach to house cleaning can do for your home when you get your free personalized quote today.
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