Laminate flooring is one of the most low-maintenance floors for the home. It’s durable and easy to clean, with a scratch-resistant coating and waterproof barrier that prevents damage. The lifespan of laminate can be increased with a good maintenance routine. 

In this article, we’ll explain how to clean laminate flooring, how to care for laminate flooring, and the best laminate floor cleaner to keep your floors looking brand new.

How to Care For Laminate Flooring

Keep in mind these top laminate flooring care tips to prolong the lifespan of your floor, prevent scratches, and keep it looking brand new for longer:

• Hoover routinely to pick up dirt and debris (which can scratch laminate)
• Wipe spillages quickly, ensuring the floor is as dry as possible afterward
• Spot clean marks instead of washing the entire floor
• Use floor protectors under heavy furniture
• Lift items instead of dragging them across the floor
• Use mats at entrances to prevent dirt or stones from reaching the laminate

How to Clean Laminate Flooring

When cleaning laminate flooring, follow the steps below:

• Hoover or sweep the floor to remove surface debris
• Clean with a damp cloth, wrung-out mop, speed mop, microfibre mop, or spray mop – make sure to avoid using too much water, as this can seep into the gaps and cause structural damage over time
• Use a non-abrasive cleaning agent designed for laminate flooring, or water mixed with lemon juice

Frequently asked questions

What is the Best Laminate Floor Cleaner?

To clean laminate floors, it’s best to use a laminate floor cleaning agent or lemon water and a damp cloth to remove grease and grime. 

Lightly spray the floors and wipe with a microfibre cloth, or dip a cloth into lemon water, wring it out thoroughly, and wipe it across the floors.

You can also use a damp mop or antibacterial floor wipe to clean laminate. Try to avoid using steam cleaners or wet mops on laminate flooring, as the moisture and humidity can reduce the resilience of your flooring over time.

What Should You NOT Clean Laminate Floors With?

Certain products and cleaners can damage laminate flooring, so it’s best to avoid cleaning laminate flooring with these products. 

Try to avoid cleaning laminate with:

• Oil-based cleaning products: These can leave streaks or damage the scratch-resistant surface of laminate flooring
• Washing up liquid: This can leave a sticky residue on the surface of laminate
• Wax or polishes: This will sit on top of the laminate’s protective coating and dull the surface, rather than buffing it (like it would for hardwood flooring)
• Steam mops: Heat and steam can diminish the durability of laminate after prolonged use
• Wet mops: Too much water can get into the gaps between laminate and cause the floor to warp

How often should you clean laminate flooring?

Give it a quick sweep or vacuum every day to stop dirt from scratching the surface. As for a proper wipe-down, you only need to do that once every week or two, so you aren't overexposing the floor to moisture.

What is the best way to clean laminate floors at home?

Get rid of the surface dust with a vacuum first, then lightly mist the floor with a proper laminate spray or some lemon water. Wipe it down right away with a wrung-out microfiber mop so it dries instantly.

Can you use water to clean laminate flooring?

Only if your mop or cloth is barely damp. Never use a dripping wet mop or leave puddles on the floor, because water will slide right into the cracks and cause the wood to warp and swell.

Which cleaner is safe for laminate flooring?

Stick to a dedicated laminate floor spray or a simple mix of water and lemon juice. Try to keep it away from dish soap, floor waxes, or oil-based cleaners. They can leave behind a tacky film, which might damage the luster quickly.

How do you remove stains from laminate floors?

Don't wash the whole floor, just spot-clean the problem area. Spray a little laminate cleaner directly on the mark, scrub gently with a soft cloth until it lifts, and then wipe it completely dry.

Can steam mops damage laminate flooring?

Yes, absolutely avoid them. The blast of intense heat and moisture from a steam mop will melt the glue, ruin the protective layers, and leave you with warped floors pretty quickly.