New Laminate floor - how do I clean it?

[HeatherAnn23]

We got rid of almost all of the disgusting carpet in the house! So they finished installing the laminate yesterday, and I need to know the best way to clean it. What are you using that you love. I don't think our vacuum works well on hard surfaces, so I'm looking for a good vacuum as well as a wet cleaner. I've read that many like the Swiffer wet jet, while others think it leaves a film. Tell me your budget friendly solutions to keeping your laminate floors clean!

 

[disneydreamersx4]

vinegar with water and once in awhile I use bleach and water.

 

[Frannie115]

We have laminate wood floors and this hard laminate (like tiles, forgot what it's called) floor in the kitchen. Use Bruce hardwood floor spray cleaner on both with the cloth mop that is washable. Works great. Sometimes we use Murphy's oil soap too, but got to be careful not to leave the floor too wet.

A few months ago, I bought the Electrolux Unirapido floor vaccuum. Have not touched a broom since! Love it and so light and easy to use. Got it at Lowe's.

 

[momof1princess]

our entire house is laminate floors (pergo), save for the 2 bathrooms and laundry room. i use the shop vac on the larger stuff (clumps of mud, small rocks, leaves, etc. - DH brings in a lot of stuff on his boots), swiffer the rest, then mop with swiffer wet cloths. no film on my floor.

 

[Kellydelly]

I just use Pine-sol diluted with hot water.

 

[mistysue]

Be really careful not to leave the floor wet!!!
I like to use a swiffer (you can use the dry one even) and I put my own washcloths over the bottom... then use glass cleaner or sometimes a nice scented one from my counters. I just spray and wipe. Using my own wash cloths also saves a lot on buying their wet pads. I had my own store for a while and I found it to be effective as well as much more people friendly- it was never slippery and you only had to wait about 15 seconds to walk over it.

If you try to use a mop and leave the floor wet, the seams will start to puff up. Many laminate floors tell you right on the package not to mop or install the flooring near an area prone to wetness (bathroom or kitchen). You can ruin your floor fast this way! My dad had a tenant who wanted to use a mop 2-3 times/week and within about 6 months the floor was destroyed.

 

[dfchelbay]

Vinegar and water. For best results, mop an area, then towel that area dry. This avoids water marks and streaks, and gives it a spectacular shine. I continue this process until all floors have been mopped. It sounds harder and more time consuming than it actually is. You'll be quite please with the results.

 

[EllenFrasier]

I bought a Shark Steam mop on black Friday and I love it! The mop heads are washable, so I don't have any more expense for a while. Of course, if it's a sticky mess or something, I have Bruce laminate wood floor spray (there are lots of brands out there) and I just wipe up the mess with a damp paper towel and the spray. Do not let anything wet sit on the floors or you will ruin them.

 

[luvmy3]

I have this and I love it!

http://www.amazon.com/Eureka-313A-Enviro-Hard-Surface-Steamer/dp/B001LYFBHG

 

[mrsmav]

swiffer - wet

or

sometimes i spray with windex (or similar product) and dry with a fiber cloth mop.

 

[bunnymkc]

the mop has to be almost dry!!! it can never get wet!!my husband wrings out a mop with vingar & water. sometimes i do a wet swiffer..

 

[Kellydelly]

the mop has to be almost dry!!! it can never get wet!!my husband wrings out a mop with vingar & water. sometimes i do a wet swiffer..

Are you saying the floor can never get wet? I use the pine-sol with hot water and a rag, get on my hands and knees and wipe the floor down. My floor is about 12 years old and I have no issues with the seams coming apart at all. I don't let the floor get sopping wet, but it sure is wet when I clean it. I have kids and I can't imagine being able to clean my kitchen floor with only a barely damp cloth.

 

[Kellydelly]

Be really careful not to leave the floor wet!!!
I like to use a swiffer (you can use the dry one even) and I put my own washcloths over the bottom... then use glass cleaner or sometimes a nice scented one from my counters. I just spray and wipe. Using my own wash cloths also saves a lot on buying their wet pads. I had my own store for a while and I found it to be effective as well as much more people friendly- it was never slippery and you only had to wait about 15 seconds to walk over it.

If you try to use a mop and leave the floor wet, the seams will start to puff up. Many laminate floors tell you right on the package not to mop or install the flooring near an area prone to wetness (bathroom or kitchen). You can ruin your floor fast this way! My dad had a tenant who wanted to use a mop 2-3 times/week and within about 6 months the floor was destroyed.

I never go back and dry the floor with a towel as a clean it, and I have never had a problem with the floor getting warped . I am not a cleaning freak who does my floors several times a week, or month for that matter, though . Pine-Sol and Lysol do not leave streaks for me, either.

 

[Macgyver91]

I agree with PP on the Shark steam mop. I have one and absolutely LOVE IT! The floor is dry within minutes and it gets up things that you didn't even know were on the floor. Super easy to use too!

 

[Pembo]

We used a Swiffer and it left our floor looking dull. I use Mop-n-Glo. It's the only thing I've found that leaves my floors shiny.

 

[WDW Lover]

I have tried the vinegar and water route on mine and it doesn't make it "shiny".. I now use a Shark steam cleaner and then use either like Orange Glo floor cleaner or Mop and Glo - both leave it shiny. Vinegar looked dull, plus the smell of vinegar is yucky!

We put in 1/2 tile and 1/2 laminate wood on the floor in our downstairs - wish we had gone with full tile - the upkeep of the laminate is way more of a pain than the tile (because it gets dull relatively quickly)! Love the tile!

 

[bdcp]

All you're supposed to use on laminate is a damp mop. I love how people buy the floors and then try to make them "shiny". Laminate is what it is, you can't make it shiny. It doesn't require any cleaner and some will make it cloudy and streaky. You should never use a lot of water, it should be a damp mop.

 

[dfchelbay]

My Pergo floor came shiny, and continues to be shiny. I have American Beech and love the color and look of it.

http://na.pergo.com/products/American-Beech__80117.aspx

As you can see, in the photo, the floor is shiny/glossy, and with a mopping of vinegar and water, mine stays just that way...shiny/glossy.

 

[HeatherAnn23]

Thanks for all of the input! I returned from yet another marathon trip to Lowes yesterday with a microfiber dust mop and Electrolux vacuum. I thought I'd wait on the steam mop for now and see how it goes.

We specifically chose a matte floor, with texture and varied color pattern. We not only have two young boys, but a 120 pound Newfoundland that live in our house. My biggest battle is dog hair, with mud and muck coming in closely behind. After seeing what was under my carpet I am thrilled to have most of my living areas covered with laminate (with a 25 year guarantee!).
Thanks again!

 

[WDW Lover]

All you're supposed to use on laminate is a damp mop. I love how people buy the floors and then try to make them "shiny". Laminate is what it is, you can't make it shiny. It doesn't require any cleaner and some will make it cloudy and streaky. You should never use a lot of water, it should be a damp mop.

I don't know what brand or anything mine is, but mine came shiny... ? When it gets "dull" it doesn't look right. Mine isn't like polished shiny like a waxed floor or anything, but it is certainly shiny. Instructions for mine were for a damp mop as well - but also said no soap (like dish soap). Basically I just put a little of the Orange Glo on the mop and spread it out.