What do you use to clean your wood laminate floors???

OK so the general run down is that we have had nothing but trouble with our laminate flooring, since it was laid 3.5 years ago when we built out house.

We have to be very very careful when mopping it as the water gets into the tiny 'creases' between the laminate and makes the boards swell etc. Basically we have to use a just damp mop.

Today I bought one of those new Super Swish Spray Sabco Mops. It basically has a section in the mop handle where you put water and whatever you use to clean your floors into and then gently mist the floor as you mop.

I am looking for something gentle on the floor, suitable for laminate that makes them shiny and nice. I can never ever get this floor to look clean no matter how many times I clean it :wall:

I use a steam mop

I second steam mop. Borrowed my mums today and am in love. Now to buy one for myself.

We've just had ours relaid. I rang today to check the best way and he said to never ever use a steam mop as it forces moisture into the seams. :dunno:
I'm considering an enjo mop as they make one just for that....just trying to justify the cost.

Yeah I was told to NEVER EVER use a steam mop on laminate flooring, they actually accused me of doing it when we had all the problems....

Any other suggestions?

They sound very faulty to me! I wet mop mine, with a normal mop which has been reasonably rung out, there's never been an issue with swelling at the joins.
That said, I wouldn't choose them again as they are hard to keep clean imo.

Have you considered enjo? I havent tried them, but have colleague's who swear by them.


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I was also told never to use a steam mop as well. Really interested to know how others clean laminate floors and not leave them streaky!

Where did you get your mop from Amy?

Yeah I've tried my mums enjo and to be honest I didn't find much difference. I guess I'm more after a product that I can use in the water.

From all the research I've done, metho seems to be the most recommended. I'm not keen to try that with tiny people slopping around my floors though.

I use water and vinegar in a spray bottle and microfiber mop, similar to enjo. Only dampen mop. Works great.

Thanks for your replies.

Sweetpea - I might give the vinegar and water a go tomorrow, I will just use it in the mop though instead of the spray bottle as the mop has a spray function on it :) What ratio of water and vinegar do you use and do you use white vinegar?

White vinegar 50/50

I use vinegar and water too!! And those microfibre mops by Oates are great. Spray the floor then mop over as suggested above. You can also make your own citrus/vinegar cleaner. Pack a large jar with citrus peel ( I used mandarins, oranges and lemons) cover the peel with white vinegar, leave for about three weeks. Shake every now and then. After three weeks, or longer I have some in there 2 months old now. Strain out the liquid, put it in a spray bottle add same amount of water. The citrus really helps the vingear do a thorough clean! I use this on counter tops, walls, floors ANYTHING that needs a clean! And being citrus season I have the jars lined up right now! You can also add a few drops of essential oil, like mandarin I added eucalyptus.

You shouldn't use citrus on laminate floors.

Really Divvy?? Weird everywhere I have read says the opposite?? I got told to use it, I guess there are floor companies saying the opposite too?



The Dangers of Chemical Laminate Floor Cleaning Products

When cleaning your laminate floors, you should never use conventional soap-based cleaners. Instead look for citrus-based cleaners, which are much more environmentally friendly. Be cautious about using chemical-based products as these chemicals used in floor cleaner products have been known to cause major diseases such as cancer, asthma, skin irritations and tissue damage, to name a few.
Types of Laminate Floor Cleaning Products

While some laminate floor cleaning products are full of chemicals, there are plenty of eco-friendly solutions. In fact, you could even save money by going the green way, and you will definitely sleep more easily at night because you will know that you have not exposed your family to any harmful chemicals.

Hardwood floor cleaning products also come in a wide variety of natural products, such as microfiber. These products are a great addition to your mop. A laminate floor Swiffer is the ideal way of cleaning tile and hardwood floors, and Swiffer mops have been accepted by many because they work wonders for laminate floors.

Swiffer pads are recyclable, which is certainly important when it comes to being eco-conscious. Just remember to recycle them instead of throwing them away, which defeats the purpose of being eco-friendly.
Homemade Laminate Floor Cleaning Products

There are many common laminate floor cleaning product recipes which include many products you probably already have. Some of them are as simple as one easy ingredient. Check out these tips for easy laminate floor care:

Ammonia, not diluted, just poured right on the floor
Ammonia mixed with vinegar
Vinegar diluted with water
Rubbing alcohol mixed with liquid detergent (although this one is only as green as the type of detergent you buy)
Sprinkle baking soda on a wet spill and just let it soak up the spill. Clean up the baking soda, and the floor is newly deodorized, in addition to being clean.
Add white vinegar and lemon juice to a bucket of hot water and mix it well. Dip your mop well in it and wring out the mop. You can use about one cup of white vinegar with four tablespoons of lemon juice to get the job done just right.
Use toothpaste on water marks.
Also mineral oil, lemon juice, and olive oil work well for cleaning stains, especially on hardwood floor. Just apply it to the surface and leave it on for a few hours. Then wipe it with a dry, soft towel for a great polishing effect. This solution is especially effective on hardwood floors.


Toothpaste sounds interesting for scuff marks and water marks...

We used an enjo mop.