You’ll be pleased to know that cleaning your laminate floor doesn’t require too much maintenance, especially if you stay on top of it, so we've rounded up the best ways to clean laminate floors and the best cleaning products which will help you to do just that.
Nowadays, it's easy to see why so many of us have laminate floors in our homes. Laminate looks just like wood flooring, without the hefty price tag, and is much easier to install. However, the material on laminate floors is not as strong as other flooring and can be easily scratched and stained if you are not using the right laminate floor cleaning supplies.
That’s why we've put together everything you need to know on how to start cleaning your laminate floors, from the top cleaning products and tools to help you do it, as well as some simple cleaning tips and tricks from Paul Bagwell, the Founder and CEO of Halo Vacuums.
Expect to find spray mops, vacuum cleaners, wipes and more.
How to clean laminate floors
Start by giving your laminate floor a quick clean over with the soft broom or the vacuum cleaner, before giving it a mop with a laminate floor cleaning product (see below). Make sure you really wring your mop out so it’s almost dry. You don’t want to use too much water on your laminate floor as the water may seep into the seams and cause swelling or floor bubbling.
Paul says, “Great news for all laminate flooring owners – when it comes to vacuuming, these floors are relatively easy to clean and maintain. Just follow these simple tips to make sure you’re getting the most thorough vacuum over your lamination."
“A thorough clean starts with your vacuuming technique. Make sure to vacuum in different directions to agitate stubborn dust and dirt to help your vacuum collect as much debris as possible – especially when cleaning up after mealtimes!", he says.
“It’s also important to keep your vacuum filter clean to ensure your vacuum operates at its most efficient level. If you own a bagless vacuum, remember to wash your filters regularly to prevent clogging. Also, If the canister is left full of dust, you’ll end up releasing particles back into your home when cleaning. Try to get into the habit of emptying after each use for more efficient performance.
“However, with a large capacity cordless vacuum like the Halo Capsule range, you don’t need to worry about frequent emptying. Halo keeps all the dust and allergens you’ve vacuumed contained inside the dust pouch, preventing a cloud of dust and pet hair from escaping. So you empty less often and it’s much cleaner when you do. There’s also no need for frequent filter washing as Halo’s compostable dust pouches ensure filters don’t get clogged, so it’s a win-win solution.”
Best for removing dirt and dust
Halo/AmazonUltralight, the Halo Capsule Cordless Vacuum Cleaner is easy to lift and manoeuvre around the home, as you don't have to rely on finding a plug socket. It has a generous 60 minute runtime, allowing you to potentially clean most of your floors in one charge (in an average-sized home).
Customers like that it converts to a handhold device, so you can effortlessly clean your stairs, sofa, car and other hard to reach areas.
Pros
- 1.6 litre capacity and 60-minute runtime
- Cordless, with a wall-mounted charger
Cons
- Not bagless, but it does come with 6 bags
Best for cleaning hard to reach areas
Including two microfibre cleaning pads for wet cleaning and two chenille mop pads for dry cleaning, this mop can be used as a dust mop as well as a wet mop. The 360 degree swivel mop head is great for easy cleaning under cabinets, furniture and in other hard-to-reach spaces.
It comes with four mop pads that can be reused and cleaned in the washing machine. Customers like that "the quality is pretty good; it's easy to install and simple to use". They have also noted that it "works very well on wooden floors".
Pros
- Can be used diluted or undiluted - a little goes a long way
- Suitable for removing coatings, films and polish
Cons
- Opinions are mixed as to weather it leaves streaks
Always check the manufacturer's notes for your flooring so you know which products are best to use on it. Otherwise, the main tools you need to clean your laminate floor are a vacuum cleaner, soft broom and a floor mop to keep it looking spick and span.
Tips for cleaning laminate floors
Use a vacuum with a soft brush attachment - “My top tip for keeping laminate flooring in its best condition is to make sure that you’re using the right vacuum attachment when vacuuming. Using a hard floor roller attachment will help you ensure no dirt is missed, as its flat sides allow you to reach right up to the corners of your walls and skirting boards. Hard floor rollers have a soft brush that will do wonders for leaving your laminate floor with a ‘polished’ looking sheen.", says Paul.
Regularly sweep the floor with a dry dust mop - do this every few days with a dry dust mop to remove any dirt, dust and debris. Laminate flooring is quite resistant but is still susceptible to scratches from excess dirt, hair, and debris which can mark the floor over time. It's best to sweep in the direction that your titles were laid as this allows you to get any debris that gets stuck between the grooves of the pieces. Do not use a standard floor brush with thick bristles as this will damage the floor.
Clean up spills as they happen - do not allow any liquid, sticky substance or water to sit on the laminate floor for long periods as the liquid can stain and damage the protective coating of the flooring. Use a damp microfiber cloth or sponge to immediately clean up any liquid spills.
Mop the floor once a month - use a mop rather than a steam cleaner or buffer. Laminate flooring can easily be damaged by steam and polishers. If your floor is looking a bit sticky, grab a damp mop and give it a clean. If a bit of water won’t do the trick, then you can spray with a laminate floor cleaner.
Avoid products that aren’t suitable for laminate floors - such as oil-based products (which can leave streaks), wax or polishes.
If you have pets, trim their nails - if your cat or dog has long nails then this will be a one way ticket to your lament flooring becoming scratched. Regularly clip them using a pair of clippers.
How to make your own DIY laminate floor cleaner
Combine white vinegar or a mild detergent with some hot water if your laminate floors remain a bit sticky. Additionally, you can also use a mixture of a teaspoon of clear, unscented dish soap with four litres of hot water. You can either put the solution into a bucket of water or use a spray bottle and wipe the floors in the area that is particularly sticky.
Do not use any cleaners that state they will leave a surface shiny. These types of products can cause a waxy build-up on your laminate flooring. However, the same rules apply to water on laminate floors — make sure your mop is only damp and not soaking wet.
Which laminate floor cleaner is best?
We've pulled together some of our favourite laminate floor cleaners that will help to keep your floors looking fresh and clean.
Best for a deep clean
Have some stubborn dirt and grease that needs cleaning up? This stuff is powerful but still gentle on laminate flooring. It's a large 1L bottle, so you can dilute it for a general clean, or leave it undiluted if you're eager to remove polish, coatings or protective films.
Many customers have said that they've noticed a huge difference in the appearance of their laminate floor, with one writing: "Since I've started using this product my flooring has been significantly cleaner and there has been a huge difference in appearance (the product removed several marks)".
Pros
- Leaves floors shiny and give a nice fresh scent
- No need to rinse or mop dry
Cons
- Shine on floor doesn't last long - only a few days
Best for light dirt
Duzzit/AmazonIf you're after a quick-fix, these Duzzit Wood Floor Wipes are brilliant at wiping up accidental spills or patches of dirt, thanks to their extra-large size. However, if the whole floor needs cleaning, we'd recommend using a ready-made solution as it's much quicker.
Customers say that "They do the job in a home with all wooden floors, but they are not extra large as stated, could be bigger". They recommend them for removing light dust and dirt.
Pros
- Handy to use for accidental spills
- Gives a nice fresh lemon scent
Cons
- Smaller than expected, so not ideal for cleaning the whole floor
Best for cleaning without chemicals
Vlieda/AmazonIf you prefer cleaning without the use of chemicals and cleaning formulas, a steam mop could be perfect for your floors. This one from Vileda kills 99.9 per cent of bacteria and is suitable for most floors.
We love that it has three steam settings which can be changed by simply turning the dial, allowing you to adapt the device to the type of floor you're cleaning. Plus, it has a large 400ml capacity water tank and a fast heat-up time, which was a hit with customers.
Pros
- Heats up quickly (in less than a minute, according to users)
- The handle pole can be taken off and attached to the back, making it shorter and easy to store
Cons
- Have to buy specific pads that fit the steam cleaner
Best for eco-friendly cleaning
This Method floor cleaner is a non-toxic solution to cleaning your laminate flooring with its plant-based formulation. This popular floor cleaner has a sweet almond fragrance too and is specially formulated for wood, stone, tile or laminate floors. It also comes in a two-litre refill bottle, which is even better for the environment and your pocket!
It comes in a lovely almond scent which most customers love. "You don’t need a lot I pour it into a spray container and spray it onto the floor and then go over it with a microfibre mop.", says one user.
Pros
- Plant-based formula which is non-toxic and biodegradable
- Contains no wax, so it shouldn't create a build-up
Cons
- Almond scent is quite strong, which not everyone will like
Best for homes with pets
This Bona Floor Cleaner formulation is safe for pets, people and the planet. It's effective on a huge range of hard floors, removing dust, dirt and grime with ease and is therefore suitable for pet owners, carers of young children and areas with heavy footfall. Plus, there's 4 litres in total, so you shouldn't have to replace it regularly.
Customers love it so much, they say it's worth the money: "When I bought the Bona mop I had every intention of refilling the spray tank with a cheaper fluid once it ran out. But after using it I'm so impressed with the streak free finish of my floor (and no added slipperiness)!".
Pros
- Large 4-litre bottle which can be used to refill smaller bottles
- Unscented formula, that comes ready to use - no need to dilute it
Cons
- Doesn't dry quickly, according to users
Best for a shiny finish
If you like a shiny finish on your laminate floors, this Unika EasyShine cleaner is ideal. There's also no build up of polish with this spray and it's quick and easy to use.
Users liked the shine it leaves behind, but did point out that "it does feel a little sticky while it's wet but this goes when it dries".
Pros
- No need to rinse the formula
- Comes in a spray bottle for quick and easy application
Cons
- May feel sticky before it dries
Tip: Do not use any abrasive cleaners as they will scratch your laminate floor.
Meet the expert:
Paul Bagwell is the Founder and CEO of Halo Vacuums. He has had years of experience within the floor cleaning industry, having previously worked in product development at VAX and TTI Floor Care.
Ellen Kinsey was a Senior Health and Wellness Product Writer and has been a part of Bauer Media since 2020. She has left Bauer Media to study Ayurveda in India to expand her knowledge and skills in the health and wellness field, where she plans to continue making journalistic contributions.