What do you use to clean laminate flooring?

BP607

We just bought a new house which has pretty nice laminate in the living room/kitchen/hall..what does everyone use to clean?  I have traditionally used swiffer on like a linoleum in old kitchens, but I feel this doesn't really get it that clean..suggestions?  Anyone use a steam mop of some kind?

jf198400

We have laminate and use Bona Floor Cleaner, it is a swiffer-like pole with a pad that is machine-washable and you use their floor cleaner solution.  They sell it at bed bath and beyond and Amazon.

Karla CS

We have a shark steam cleaner.. I feel like depending on how textured linoleum is, it either does a great or a terrible job. Our kitchen floor was so textured it seemed to always just make a slush of dirt and never get clean in the crevices, so I always ended up scrubbing with a brush every few months. PITA. But I'm also compulsive when it comes to cleaning.

jlaOK

I also use the Bona system for tile and laminate.  I love it because it doesn't leave streaks.

To all those who use steam mops - I thought you couldn't use those on laminate?

amywoods824

We vacuum up any loose dirt and then use Bruce hardwood/laminate spray (from Lowes or Home Depot) with a big pad mop. That's what our installer recommended.

workitmom84

I usually post on the other boards but lurk a little here, and must say - I love my Shark steamer. I have used it on the highest setting (of three), on our Pergo and never had a problem of any sort. Like another person said, keep it moving and it will be fine. I like the idea of chemical free... it was just the dog before but with a baby crawling around I will know that he's not licking Swiffer chemicals off of his toys. Also, those Swiffers leave a residue that builds up and actually makes dirt stick to it. We had Stanley Steamer clean our Pergo and tile and he was thrilled that we never used chemicals because of all the buildup they create. 

tig594

amywoods824 said:

We vacuum up any loose dirt and then use Bruce hardwood/laminate spray (from Lowes or Home Depot) with a big pad mop. That's what our installer recommended.

I will have to try this.  I've just been damp mopping with vinegar which works ok but my floors are never super shiny and seem to always have streaks.  I've starting hating my floors.  It also doesn't help that the dogs will never stay off it long enough for it to dry completely.  Between that and their window art...I swear they do it on purpose!

Virgo17

We just bought the new Dyson hard floor cleaner.  It was expensive, but it's awesome.  It has a vacuum with a swiffer-type wipe in the center, so you can vacuum and mop and the same time.  It saves so much time not having to vacuum or sweep first and then mop.

plus12012

We use Bona hardwood floor cleaner and a regular sponge mop. It works great .

frschaffner

We vaccum all the dirt, and then use the Eureka EnviroSteam.  Love having no chemicals!

Karla CS

Karla CS said:

We have a shark steam cleaner.. I feel like depending on how textured linoleum is, it either does a great or a terrible job. Our kitchen floor was so textured it seemed to always just make a slush of dirt and never get clean in the crevices, so I always ended up scrubbing with a brush every few months. PITA. But I'm also compulsive when it comes to cleaning.

I just realized that you're asking about laminate, not linoleum. I've gone about a year and a half without uninterrupted sleep longer than 4-5 hours and it's really starting to show. 

FWIW, the shark has a "dust" feature that's supposed to be safe on hardwoods and laminates. 

MommaMcK

I seem to be the odd one out but I much prefer washing floors by hand (with pail and cloth on heads and knees) I just feel like it is cleaned better. I use a mixture of hot water (run tap until it is as hot as it will get) and vinegar (50/50 solution). Leave floor clean without chemicals and also does not leave any residue which results in seeing foot prints When walked on.