How do you clean laminate flooring?

Question

I have a wood laminate floor (like Pergo). What is the best method for cleaning it? I have tried plain water and water with vinegar but it just looks dull. Any ideas?

Answer 1

It looks dull because it's dirty/greasy?  If that's the case clean it with a water ammonia solution.  They also sell a special cleaner at the hardware stores.  

Answer 2

I bet you are using a mop.  I have the same problem.  The only thing that works for me is the old fashioned way.  Get down on your knees with a bucket of warm water and mild cleaner.  Wring the rag out.  Don't put a lot of water on your floor and either dry each spot right away or have a second bucket of clear water and a second rag.

I have thought about buying one of those steam cleaners you see advertised now.

Answer 3

Do NOT use stripper on laminate flooring.

All laminate flooring is, is cheap wood, compressed wood chippings.

The pattern that you see on it is nothing more than very thin printed paper stuck on and sealed in with a gloss varnish. Remove the varnish and you will remove the pattern underneath.

Answer 4

  Like sondra I agree. never use sealers and strippers on laminates. What I use after every laminate job I do is to spray a laminate cleaner on the floor( and its sold almost ell places that sell laminate) and use a dust mop with the removale terri cloth type head.. I wash and reuse this cloth over and over ..Never mop and use water w/ any hardwood or laminate. wood and water don t mix.. You d never use water to clean your wood furniture so why on wood flooring?? GL  

Answer 5

You need a floor stripper and then a floor sealer, goto to your local hardware store and ask.. These are chemical strippers and sealers and the seal is self leveling. Because you have tried water on the wood laminate its obvious it does not affect the wood so a stripper is fine.

Armstrong Floor Stripper And Cleaner. It is in a white container with Green on the front. Trust me! When I poured this on my floor and rubbed it around with a damp sponge, the layers upon layers of "shine products" came right off down to the original floor. Your laminate will look better than the day it was put down. The stripper is perfectly safe for laminate and it doesnt have a strong smell. If you have a large area just use a sponge mop.

I have said; "You need a floor stripper and then a floor sealer, goto to your local hardware store and ask" Yes ask the hardware they will advice you of what is best.

Answer 6

Mela-Magic, works great on all tile, laminate floors!!

http://www.saferforyourhome.com

Answer 7

I have found that pledge works the best. it comes in a blue bottle for hardwood floors, read the directions on the back of the bottle for best results. DO NOT USE ANY STRIPPERS OF ANY KIND!. If you think about it, laminate and pergo are like press wood covered with man-made finishes. The strippers will only ruin your floors, that is money down the drain, those floors are not cheap to replace. I hope this helps you.

Answer 8

I always used Murphy's Oil Soap even though that type of floor is not real wood.  I like the smell of it and it cleaned well.  I used the murphy's with hot water, diluted according to the directions on the bottle, and an O Cedar microfiber mop.  

I have had friends who liked their Hoover FloorMate for laminate as well.