Tips For Cleaning Laminate Floors

Red dust-mop on laminate floor.

Keep laminate floors luxurious by regularly vacuuming, dust-mopping, or wiping the floors with a damp (not wet) cloth.

When the dirt and grime get tough, as they often do in the kitchen, those who don't mind a bit of scrubbing will find that vinegar and water works well for cleaning laminate floors.

These tips for cleaning laminate floors will keep them looking luxe.

About Laminate Floors

Laminate floors, which are known mostly by the brand name Pergo, consist of several layers: a top "wear layer" or finish, a photograph of real wood, a layer of fiberboard, and a bottom layer.

The bottom layer, also called the underside or the balance layer, is made from specially laminated kraft paper. Since the visual layer is photography, laminates can mimic any flooring material from stone to tile to wood.

Tne good news is that wood laminates look like regular wood, but they are more durable and easier to care for, they are more affordable, and they can be installed in places where solid or veneered wood is not appropriate.

Laminates are also easy to use in remodels because they can be installed over most materials and don't require a subfloor.

You can get laminates that are finished to look like just about any kind of wood. Most people cannot tell wood and laminate floors apart. (Unless they're flooring installers, of course.)

Tips For Cleaning Laminate Floors

To remove tough spots or stains, buff the blemish with acetone nail polish remover, then wipe the floor clean with a damp cloth.

The care tips for cleaning laminate floors are very similar to those for wood floors:

  • Use welcome mats. Grit is a laminate floor's worst enemy.
  • Use furniture casters.  Laminate floors scratch easily.
  • Vacuum often, using the soft brush attachment on the vacuum.
  • Do not polish, wax, or use steel wool or abrasive cleaners on laminate flooring.

No-nos for laminate floors include allowing water or a floor cleaner to stand on or below the floor surface, soap-based detergents, or mop-and-shine products (they'll leave a dull film on your floor), wax, polish, abrasive cleaners, steel wool, or scouring pads.


You Might Like These:

  • The best approach  to getting kids to clean is to train them while they're toddlers, so they never imagine until later years that it's even possible to go to bed with toys on the floor.

    Getting Kids to Clean

    The best approach to getting kids to clean is to train them while they're toddlers, so they never imagine until later years that it's even possible to go to bed with toys on the floor.

  • How to clean lamps and light fixtures to allow your home to get all that expensive wattage you're paying for. Here's how to safely clean lamps and lamp shades.

    How to Clean Lamps and Shades

    How to clean lamps and light fixtures to allow your home to get all that expensive wattage you're paying for. Here's how to safely clean lamps and lamp shades.

  • The reason why we often get colds during the winter is not because of the weather. Being indoors plays a part. Here's how to prevent colds at home.

    How to Prevent Colds

    The reason why we often get colds during the winter is not because of the weather. Being indoors plays a part. Here's how to prevent colds at home.

  • Easy summer cleaning tips. With the kids out of school for summer, chances are you'll have more messes to clean than usual. These easy summer cleaning ideas can help.

    Easy Summer Cleaning Tips

    Easy summer cleaning tips. With the kids out of school for summer, chances are you'll have more messes to clean than usual. These easy summer cleaning ideas can help.

  • Coming Clean 2: Tips for choosing household cleaners, brick cleaning, cleaning silverware, and cleaning solutions for every room in your home.

    Coming Clean 2

    Coming Clean 2: Tips for choosing household cleaners, brick cleaning, cleaning silverware, and cleaning solutions for every room in your home.

  • Easy laptop cleaning tips. Ideally, laptop cleaning to remove bacteria and dust that can cause it to malfunction should be done weekly. Here's how to get the dirty job done in 4 steps.

    Easy Laptop Cleaning Tips

    Easy laptop cleaning tips. Ideally, laptop cleaning to remove bacteria and dust that can cause it to malfunction should be done weekly. Here's how to get the dirty job done in 4 steps.

  • How to make disinfecting wipes at home. Store bought disinfecting wipes are simple to use and kill most bacteria and viruses. These ready made wipes are spendy, however.

    Make Disinfecting Wipes At Home

    How to make disinfecting wipes at home. Store bought disinfecting wipes are simple to use and kill most bacteria and viruses. These ready made wipes are spendy, however.

  • Easy marble cleaning tips. If your marble's looking a bit lackluster, chances are it's begging for a cleaning. These marble cleaning tips can help.

    Easy Marble Cleaning Tips

    Easy marble cleaning tips. If your marble's looking a bit lackluster, chances are it's begging for a cleaning. These marble cleaning tips can help.