How do you clean laminate floors?

[Louise-Montreal]

I bought the cleaner when I bought the flooring and I think that it leaves a residue, When you first clean them they look beautiful- but within minutes you can see tracks on the floor- footprints and dogprints .

Any suggestions???

Thanks,
Louise

 

[Servants of Evan]

We have Bruce prefinished hardwood in the kitchen and use the Bruce floor cleaner. I vacuum any dirt up and then go over it quickly with a sponge mop dampended with the cleaner. I let it dry for 5-10 minutes and we're good to go.

 

[jenks0718]

I purchased this laminate/hard surface cleaner at Home Depot for about $11 a bottle. Thats all I will use. To be honest I am not too crazy about how these floors look because of the prints problem, but this cleaner is the best that I have tried.

 

[DisTeach1]

Thank you, thank you for validating me! We have WilsonArt Handscraped Wood Laminate and I have also noticed a smeary residue that leaves footprints. It drives me nuts because my floor never looks clean. I thought laminate was supposed to be easy, but this is the highest maintenance floor I've ever had. Everyone else I know who has laminate has not experienced this and thinks I'm nuts!

I clean it with the spray stuff they gave me and I wet the mop type thing and change and rinse it often. The rep came out and told me not to be afraid to wet mop it with a bucket of water-the old fashioned way. Well, this took care of the residue but left water spots everywhere, so it still looked horrible.

I don't know what the solution is. I know with dogs and kids my floor always looks horrible.

 

[debbiedoo]

laminate floors/ hardwoods should be cleaned with 1 part white vinegar to 10 parts water. Use a dry mop

If you have central vac go over with that first, then the dry mop/vinegar solution

Some cleaners can strip the finish --

 

[laurie31]

I use plain warm water. I just damp mop and the floor is pretty much dry when I'm done. I think the secret is to not let the floor get overly wet. I don't have water spots. I have WilsonArt floors in my family room and kitchen. Every cleaner I've ever tried has left a residue that then attracts more dirt, so now I just use water. I don't get prints unless the cat walks on it with wet feet (we have a cat that likes to play in the water bowl. It's funny to watch but then she tracks water everywhere).

Laurie

 

[lUVTOGO]

I have Pergo floors and the first few months after putting them down there was a film after washing them but it slowly went away.
I only use warm water and a damp mop.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I don't know what the solution is. I know with dogs and kids my floor always looks horrible.

Oh good, I am glad someone else hates floors like this. What do you think I have been doing all morning!!!!!
I gave up and mop with warm water & a little "dash" of windex. I dry it right away. So fun isn't it???....NOT!

 

[RitaZ.]

laminate floors/ hardwoods should be cleaned with 1 part white vinegar to 10 parts water. Use a dry mop

If you have central vac go over with that first, then the dry mop/vinegar solution

Some cleaners can strip the finish --

That's what I do. I've also used the Pergo spray, but the vinegar/water solution is much cheaper.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

I vacuum the floor and then use the Swiffer wet cloths. I have a large kitchen/breakfast/laundry area and I have to use two wipes to get the job done. It's so easy to do, though! No residue and no dog/cat prints.

 

[HERSEY]

I have a large cotton mop that I bought from Home Depot that I use with the laminate floor cleaner. I do go over it a second time with a clean cotton mop head it "dry" so there's no footprints. I shut the dogs outside while the floors dry they chase the mop.

 

[laura001]

I vacuum my floor first and then use the Swiffer wet cloths also. I find it works out great. The next time I run out, I am going to try the vinegar though.

 

[DisTeach1]

Okay, but when you guys say "damp" mop, are you dipping the mop in a bucket of water? Also, what type of mop are you using? I am using a microfiber cloth mop, and I change it several times. I do get less film when I just use water, but find I get the water spots, so maybe I need to change mops.

I bought the swifter wet, but WilsonArt specifically says not to use those, that they can damage the floor, so I was scared to use those.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

I bought the swifter wet, but WilsonArt specifically says not to use those, that they can damage the floor, so I was scared to use those.

Are you sure it doesn't mean not to use the Swiffer that squirts the solution out onto the floor (WetJet)? I use the wet pads and they aren't wet enough to get water under the floor.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

I vacuum the floor and then use the Swiffer wet cloths. I have a large kitchen/breakfast/laundry area and I have to use two wipes to get the job done. It's so easy to do, though! No residue and no dog/cat prints.

Same here and no problems!

 

[taeja71]

laminate floors/ hardwoods should be cleaned with 1 part white vinegar to 10 parts water......

yes, vinegar and hot water is the best

 

[airplane]

I vacuum/sweep first and then use the swiffer wet mop.
Dust bunnies seem to love laminate floors so I always have my cordless hand held shark vac ready to use.

 

[Disney Doll]

I have a real hardwood floor with a water-based acrylic finish. I don't if that type of finish is similar to what they put on a laminate floor, but if it is, I mop my floors with a water/window cleaner mixture (about 1/2 & 1/2).

Dries quickly and comes out looking pretty nice. I have never noticed streaking or footprint problems using this mixture.

 

[Chicago526]

I found that with my vinyl floors, if I use too much cleaner in my bucket of water, that it leaves residue. I cut the amount I used by half and the floor comes out perfect. Maybe that's what's happening with the laminate floors?

After moping, I also go over the floor with a Swifter wet jet, but I don't spray, I just use the dry pad to soak up the water, it dries faster and since the mop water is a little dirty, it leaves the floors cleaner.

 

[4DisneyfansinNC]

I use a Yellowtop broom and microfiber mop (I just slightly dampen the microfiber mop head with water) to clean my laminate floors. I got it from QVC. Works great.