Tips for Cleaning Laminate Floors

Do you have laminate floors that need a little shine? This guide to cleaning laminate floors will teach you to do it properly without damaging the floors.

Laminate is a type of flooring material made out of particleboard. A printed layer that resembles hardwood and clear protective coating are layered on top. This gives laminate flooring the appearance of hardwood, but with a little more durability.

Because of their unique construction, there is a particular method for cleaning laminate floors. Understanding what that method is can help you keep your floors from becoming damaged.

Maintain a Regular Schedule for Cleaning Laminate Floors

The simplest way to keep your laminate floors from becoming scuffed or dirty is to maintain a regular cleaning schedule. You don’t want to use harsh chemicals. Instead, use a broom or vacuum to remove dirt, grime and other particles that could scratch the surface of your floor.

Reduce Moisture Exposure

While laminate flooring is resistant to moisture damage, it is not immune to it. Leaving water standing on top of your floors can lead to bubbling, warping or similar damage. If you use any sort of wet cleaner on your laminate floors, make sure that it is labelled for use on laminate floors.

If you have laminate flooring in the entrance or exits of your home, you may want to consider covering it with an area rug. Not only are high traffic areas more likely to scuff, their proximity to the outdoors means that moisture and mud can cover your laminate flooring. A rug will act as another barrier, and can be easily washed or replaced as needed.

Mopping is acceptable if you wring out the mop enough so that there is no moisture left behind after you go over your floor. You should always immediately blot up spills with a mop to prevent staining. Never use a steam cleaner on laminate flooring, as the heat and moisture can cause your flooring material to break apart.

Avoid Using Wax or Polish

Even though laminate flooring is a wood product, you do not need to wax or polish it. In fact, applying wax or polish can lead to scratching and damage to the surface of your laminate floors. Likewise, you should avoid any polishing or sanding machines, which can break down the upper protective layer of your flooring.

For particular stains that affect your laminate flooring, you should use nail polish remover on paper towel. Be sure to wipe down the area with a damp paper towel afterwards, so that no nail polish remover remains. Even a small amount of residue can lead to staining, white spots or physical damage.

Never use abrasive cleaning utensils like steel wool either, which can leave scars on the surface and allow water to seep into your flooring.

Clean Your Home and Floors Today

Following the above tips will allow you to take the steps necessary to keep your laminate floors clean. It will also help you avoid well-meaning cleaning procedures that could damage or strip away parts of your laminate flooring.

For cleaning laminate floors, Sally’s maid Service cannot be beat. Our 200 percent guarantee means that your floors (and the rest of your home) will always meet the highest standards of cleanliness.

The Dos and Don’ts of Laminate Floor Care

Laminate flooring is popular in Waco homes for good reason — it’s affordable, attractive, and durable. But its layered construction means improper cleaning can cause real damage. Here are the essential rules:

Do:

• Use a microfiber mop: Microfiber picks up dust and dirt effectively without scratching the surface. It’s the single best tool for laminate maintenance.
• Wipe up spills immediately: Laminate’s biggest enemy is standing water. Moisture can seep into seams and cause the boards to swell, warp, or delaminate. In humid Waco summers, this risk increases.
• Place mats at entries: Central Texas red clay and gravel track onto floors and act like sandpaper underfoot. A quality doormat at every entrance catches the worst of it.
• Use furniture pads: Felt pads under chair and table legs prevent scratches when furniture shifts. Check and replace them every few months as they wear down.

Don’t:

• Use a steam mop: Despite being great for tile and sealed hardwood, steam mops force moisture into laminate seams. This is one of the most common laminate care mistakes.
• Soak with a wet mop: Wring your mop until it’s barely damp. If you can see water on the floor, it’s too wet.
• Use wax, polish, or oil-based cleaners: These products leave a hazy film on laminate’s protective layer and can actually make the floor more slippery.
• Use abrasive tools: Steel wool, scouring pads, and stiff brushes will scratch the wear layer permanently.

Removing Tough Stains from Laminate

For common stains encountered in Waco homes, here’s what works:

• Scuff marks: Rub gently with a pencil eraser or a tennis ball. For stubborn marks, a dab of baking soda on a damp cloth works without scratching.
• Grease or oil: Apply a small amount of rubbing alcohol to a microfiber cloth and blot — don’t rub.
• Marker or crayon (parents, you know): Rubbing alcohol or a small amount of acetone-free nail polish remover, applied to a cloth, lifts most ink and crayon marks.
• Red clay stains: A damp cloth with a drop of dish soap usually handles the iron-rich soil common around Waco.

For floors that need more attention than routine care can provide, Sally’s Maid Service handles laminate floor cleaning with the right tools and techniques for every flooring type in your Waco home. Our team knows the difference between what works on laminate versus hardwood versus tile — so your floors get the care they deserve.