Laminate wood floors could be damaged by two things: dirt and water. Dirt buildup causes them to look worn and drab, whereas excess moisture can swell, buckle, or discolor them.
It follows from this that you have to care for your laminate wood floors if you want them to remain classy and inviting in your home. And that includes cleaning them properly.
So, in this guide, we’ll be going over the process of how to clean laminate wood flooring step by step. Don’t worry; it’s so easy to clean this flooring type that you don’t even have to engage a pro cleaner!
Step 1: Remove Dirt and Grit on the Laminate
First, you have to get a broom, dustpan, and vacuum cleaner.
With a broom and a vacuum, you should work to remove dirt, dust, and grit like small gravel, stone, and sand on the floor as much as possible. Collect them in a dustpan and dispose of them.
A few reminders: don’t use a damp or wet mop to clear the grit because this can scratch your laminate’s surface. Also, turn off the brush roll of the vacuum and make sure it’s set to the hard floor setting to protect the floor.
Step 2: Prepare a Cleaning Solution
Afterward, you can use a special laminate floor cleaner you bought from the store, or better yet, use a safe DIY laminate cleaning solution made from household items.
If you choose the second one, here are the things you’ll need to make it. Simply put them together in a mister or spray bottle.
- 5 ounces of white vinegar
- 5 ounces of rubbing alcohol
- 5 ounces of water
- 3 – 5 drops of essential oil (either orange and peppermint or just lemon)
Step 3: Mop the Laminate Floor
Now, spritz at a small section of the laminate flooring and quickly mop the floor. This will prevent the liquid from absorbing into the floor surface and damaging it as a result.
The cleaned floor area will have been dry after a minute or two; otherwise, you’re using too much of the solution.
Step 4: Dry the Floor
Finally, you should dry the laminate floor completely. To do this, you can wipe the floor gently in a circular motion with a microfiber cloth, or mop it in the direction of the wood grain.
To speed up the drying process, you can turn on a dehumidifier (if you have one) and place it by the cleaned floor.
If you’d like the laminate floor to appear new and lustrous, you can also use wood wax and polish. The wax will prevent moisture from seeping into the wood, whereas the polish will make it extra shiny after you clean the laminate.
