Laminate flooring is one of the easiest floor types to keep looking its best, but the wrong cleaning routine can dull the finish or damage the planks over time. Here’s exactly how to keep your laminate looking new, and what to avoid.
Quick Links
- Everyday Cleaning Routine
- The Best Way to Deep Clean Laminate
- What to Avoid
- A Simple Natural Cleaning Solution
- Choosing Laminate That’s Built to Last
Everyday Cleaning Routine
The best way to protect your laminate floor is to stay on top of light, regular cleaning rather than waiting until it needs a deep clean.
Sweep or vacuum regularly
Dust, grit, and small stones act like sandpaper underfoot, gradually wearing down the protective top layer of your laminate. A quick sweep or vacuum every few days prevents this build-up.
Important: if you’re vacuuming, switch off the beater bar/rotating brush head. These are designed for carpet and can scratch a laminate surface. A soft brush attachment or a hard-floor setting is what you want.
Wipe up spills straight away
Laminate resists moisture on the surface, but standing water can seep into the seams between planks and cause swelling or warping. Any spill, however small, should be wiped up as soon as you notice it.
The Best Way to Deep Clean Laminate
For a proper clean, use a well-wrung, barely damp mop, never a soaking wet one. Laminate should never be left wet on the surface for longer than a few minutes.
Pair this with a laminate-safe cleaning solution (either a purpose-made laminate cleaner or the natural solution below) and go over the floor in the direction of the planks. Dry any excess moisture with a soft cloth or microfibre mop straight after.
How often should you deep clean?
Once a week is usually plenty for most homes, more often in busy family areas or homes with pets.
What to Avoid
A few common cleaning habits can genuinely shorten the life of a laminate floor:
- Steam mops — the heat and moisture are a bad combination for laminate. Steam can force its way into the seams and cause warping that isn’t reversible.
- Wax or polish-based cleaners — these build up a dull, cloudy residue over time rather than restoring shine.
- Soap-based cleaners — similar issue to wax, they can leave a hazy film that actually makes floors look less clean over repeated use.
- Excess water — even without a steam mop, over-wetting the floor during cleaning is one of the most common causes of long-term damage.
A Simple Natural Cleaning Solution
If you’d rather avoid shop-bought cleaning products, a simple mix works well for most laminate floors: a small splash of white vinegar mixed into a bucket of warm water (roughly a capful per bucket).
Dip your mop, wring it out well, and clean as normal. Avoid using this mix too frequently on very glossy laminate finishes, as vinegar can occasionally affect shine with heavy repeated use, a plain damp mop with water alone is enough for most day-to-day cleaning.
Choosing Laminate That’s Built to Last
Cleaning routine matters, but so does the flooring itself. Our Zero Mission laminate range is designed with everyday family life in mind: UV-resistant to guard against fading, abrasion-resistant for busy households and pets, and finished with an easy-clean surface that holds up to regular mopping without losing its look.
If you’re considering new flooring for a busy home, browse our laminate range to see the full collection, all available on flexible, pay-weekly terms.
