Cleaning laminate flooring?

[Tweety Bird]

We will be having laminate flooring installed, but before we order it, I'd like to get ready with products to clean it. I just saw an infomercial on the Shark steamer, but is steaming a safe way to go? They claim it needs no chemicals. Anybody have some advice???? :shrug:

[pooh]

We had laminate flooring installed not too long ago and was told we shouldn't use a steamer. I own a shark and it might just put out too much moisture for the flooring.

Bona makes a spray cleaner for laminate flooring. You just spray and then use a microfiber mop to wipe and clean. Bona makes the mop with a detachable head that can be cleaned in the washer.

The floors don't really get dirty, but they do show dust and you might need to mop quite a bit. The mop from Bona also has a microfiber head for dusting the floor.
Other companies make mops for dusting and cleaning, I'm sure it will be easy to find one...and the company installing your flooring might just give you one.

I'm really enjoying my new flooring, I'm sure you'll be happy with your new flooring, too.

[NotGolfer]

No, no, no....don't use steam and you don't mop them with alot of water!!! You can dust them (I have a stick vac) and then damp/mop or damp/swiffer them. Ask the folks you're getting your flooring from what they recommend as well. If the floors get saturated with water that would not be a good thing

[redwitch]

I've used both Bruce and Bona. I think Bruce is the much superior product. You spray just the teensiest amount on dry mop (I use a Swiffer dry). If there's a stain or dirt, then spray directly.

You can buy Bruce at Lowe's in the flooring department and can use it both on wood and laminate.

[l2ridehd]

Woodpecker makes a product that you have to order online that cleans it very well and really makes the laminate shine. Spray it directly on then use a swiffer type mop to polish and dry.

[GaryW]

I've used both Bruce and Bona. I think Bruce is the much superior product. You spray just the teensiest amount on dry mop (I use a Swiffer dry). If there's a stain or dirt, then spray directly.

You can buy Bruce at Lowe's in the flooring department and can use it both on wood and laminate.

I agree we used Bona,, but tried Bruce and it seems to be alot better.

[mikeandnancy1112]

The Bona Mop is wonderful! It comes with two mop heads. I use the dust mop head first to go over the floors for dust. Then I use the other mop head, the actual laminate mop head along with the Bona Floor Cleaner. The Bona Mop heads have velcros on the backs and stick on the mop. The mop is very easy to handle and not heavy like some other ones and you can wash the mop heads as often as you want.

[Tweety Bird]

Thank you so much for your comments thus far. Keep posting your thoughts and ideas and I will eventually have to come to a decision. This has been very helpful!

[Mama C]

you shouldnt need more than a damp mop---water and vinegar works great!

[PJOHNS2654]

you shouldnt need more than a damp mop---water and vinegar works great!

:agree:

[cherylncliff]

We had a laminate floor in our basement in MI. We used a shark steamer to clean it. A steamer provides a hot moist surface that is in direct contact with the floor but does not make the floor wet. We never had any problems with the floor and the steamer made cleaning very easy. The only disadvantage here in FL is that it will put more humidity into your house.

We have tile throughout our house here in TV and use the steamer to clean the tile floors- it works great.

Good luck with your decision.

[NotGolfer]

Again ask the people where you purchase your flooring on what they recommend for cleaning. We got ours through FloorMasters and I'm thinking they said not to steam!! You could even call around to the various places as well to find out then decide what you'll do with yours.

[Tweety Bird]

Again ask the people where you purchase your flooring on what they recommend for cleaning. We got ours through FloorMasters and I'm thinking they said not to steam!! You could even call around to the various places as well to find out then decide what you'll do with yours.

That's interesting because I visited Floor Masters yesterday and he said to use windex (non-amonia) with a spray swiffer? mmmm...

[2newyorkers]

I use Pledge in the gold bottle on our laminate floors.

[Peggylee140]

I love my new laminate but would like them better if I didn't have 2 wonderful lab mixes that love to slobber their water everywhere and leave wet paw prints everywhere. My floors are definitely NOT easy to clean with just a damp mop using Bono or anything else. 1st we run sweeper to pick up excess hair, then dry swiffer to get into places sweeper doesn't, then damp mop floors and 2 days later start all over again. These floors are killing us or is it these beautiful labs that are doing it???

[jnieman]

We started using glass plus (no ammonia) which was recommended by Floormasters. It seems to leave a build-up and when you walk barefoot it leaves footprints. I did some research on the internet and Bona was highly recommended. I found it on Amazon. The first time I used it I had to use towels wrapped on my swiffer to get the build-up off. Now I use a microfiber mop and spritz the Bona and my piano mirror finish laminate floors shine fabulously.

I do feel sorry for those with pets with the wet paws and hair because I've been there with my cat. I think by making sure the paws are dry before they come in the house is about the only way to deal with that. Of course the slobber is another story.

[mikeandnancy1112]

Don't use a steamer on laminate. Get the bona mop at Ace Hardware along with the bona solution or just use vinegar and water in a spray bottle. The mop is so easy to handle and the mop head is velcrose and can be washed as much as needed.

[batman911]

Most of the chemical cleaners will leave a residue that will build up over time. Vinegar and water will not and the air in your home will be safer.

[jnieman]

Sorry to go against what you recommend, but I used water and vinegar on my laminate and it left a film that was pretty bad when you walked on the floor you could see your feet prints. That is when I went on line and did some research and found Bona and I couldn't be happier. Maybe try a small area first before committing to the vinegar and water.

[ladydoc]

Again ask the people where you purchase your flooring on what they recommend for cleaning. We got ours through FloorMasters and I'm thinking they said not to steam!! You could even call around to the various places as well to find out then decide what you'll do with yours.

I steamed my laminate flooring back in NM for years and never had a problem. Just don't hold it in any one place for very long and get a GOOD steamer that does not leak water. I have used the Hahn models for a long time. The people who installed them said we HAD to use the product they sold (very expensive). So I thought about it and realized they were going to sell me a product, so why say a steamer would work?

[hulahips]

They make products you just spray on and wipe it clean. Even Pledge makes one now. Good luck. YOu'll love your new floor!!

[Bryant]

Our laminate installer told us to use 10 parts water to 1 vinegar. I made up a batch in a spray bottle for spot cleaning. It works well and makes the floors shine.