Short answer
Clean laminate by removing dust and grit with a soft broom, dry microfibre mop or vacuum on its hard-floor setting, then going over it with a mop that is only just damp, using water and a cleaner made for laminate. Never flood laminate or let water sit on it, because the fibreboard core swells if moisture gets into the joints. Check the manufacturer's care guidance, especially before using a steam mop.
Why laminate needs a different approach
Laminate flooring is a photograph of wood or stone sealed under a tough, clear wear layer, on top of a core made from compressed wood fibres. The surface itself resists water well. The weak points are the joints and edges: if water seeps between the boards, the core absorbs it, and the edges can lift, bulge or separate. Once a board has swollen it rarely goes back to flat.
That is why the golden rule with laminate is to use as little water as possible and never leave it standing on the floor.
What you will need
A soft-bristled broom or a vacuum with a hard-floor head, a flat microfibre mop with a spare pad, a spray bottle or a bucket with a good wringer, and a cleaner made for laminate. Plain warm water is often enough for light cleaning. Avoid string mops that hold a lot of water.
Step by step
- Dry clean first. Sweep, vacuum with the beater bar switched off, or run a dry microfibre mop over the floor to pick up dust and grit, paying attention to edges and under furniture.
- Make up your cleaning solution following the label. If the label gives a range, start at the weaker end, because too much product causes streaks.
- Lightly mist a small section of floor, or dampen the mop pad and wring it until it no longer drips.
- Mop along the length of the boards, in the same direction as the pattern, rather than in circles.
- Swap to a clean pad when the first one looks dirty, so you are not spreading grime across the floor.
- Check for any wet patches, particularly near joints and skirting boards, and dry them straight away with a clean dry cloth.
Marks, scuffs and sticky spots
Most scuffs from shoes lift with a soft cloth and a little of your laminate cleaner. For dried-on food or sticky patches, lay a damp cloth over the spot to soften it, then wipe it away rather than scraping. Chewing gum and candle wax can be firmed up with an ice pack in a plastic bag and eased off carefully with a plastic scraper or old card.
Avoid scouring pads, wire wool, abrasive powders and solvents. They can scratch or cloud the wear layer, and once that layer is damaged the pattern underneath begins to wear.
Getting rid of streaks and a dull film
A hazy, streaky laminate floor is usually caused by product build-up rather than dirt. Using too much cleaner, polishes and wax products that were not designed for laminate, or detergents that leave residue can all leave a film. Mop the floor with clean, warm water on a well-wrung microfibre pad, then buff dry with a clean dry pad. Repeat if needed, and use less product in future.
Laminate should not be waxed or polished unless the manufacturer specifically recommends a product. Most laminate is designed to look its best simply clean.
Steam mops and laminate
Many laminate manufacturers advise against steam mops because heat and moisture can be forced into the joints. Some floors are sold as water-resistant and some steam mops have a laminate setting, but the flooring guidance should decide it, not the mop packaging. If in doubt, do not steam.
Protecting the floor day to day
Put mats at entrances to catch grit, fit felt pads to chair and table legs, and lift heavy furniture rather than dragging it. Wipe up spills, pet water bowls and wet footprints as soon as you see them. Keep pets' claws trimmed if they scratch the surface. Strong, direct sunlight can fade some laminates over time, so curtains or blinds help in very sunny rooms.
When to call a professional
Laminate is one of the easier floors to keep clean yourself. A professional clean is worth considering if a large area such as an office or shop floor needs doing, if you are preparing a property for new tenants or a sale, or if you are not sure whether your floor is laminate, LVT or engineered wood and want it treated correctly.
We clean hard floors, including laminate, in businesses and homes across Essex. Laminate is cleaned with a damp rather than wet method and the minimum of moisture, because the core swells if water gets into the joints. Call Jason on 07774 252535 or ask for a free quote.
Rather have it done for you?
Vinyl, laminate, LVT, tile and stone floors scrubbed, cleaned and buffed in businesses and homes. Family-run by Jason and Lucas Prior, covering south Essex.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best thing to clean laminate floors with?
A well-wrung microfibre mop with warm water and a small amount of cleaner made for laminate. Remove dust and grit first, and dry any wet patches straight away.
Can you use a steam mop on laminate?
Only if the flooring manufacturer says it is safe. Many advise against it because heat and moisture can get into the joints and swell the boards.
How do I stop my laminate floor looking streaky?
Use less product, change the mop pad when it gets dirty, and mop with clean water then buff dry if a film has built up. Avoid polishes and wax that are not designed for laminate.
Related guides
- How to clean hard floors: routine and deeper cleaning for vinyl, LVT, tiled and natural stone floors, with the products each one needs and the ones to avoid.