Best floor cleaner for laminate and vinyl

There's a reason just about every designer on popular home TV shows ends up installing laminate floors. (We see you, Bobby Berk.) It's made out of wood composite — a.k.a. materials like sawdust pressed together — but looks just like solid hardwood flooring. Plus, it's often costs less, installs more easily, and comes with a clear protective layer on top.

But just like any other floor in your house, it still requires regular care. Here's everything you need to know about maintaining your laminate floors, according to Carolyn Forte, director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab.

How should you clean laminate flooring?

Best floor cleaner for laminate and vinyl

Regularly run a canister vacuum over the surface to remove dirt and debris from cracks and crevices. The Institute likes the Miele Complete C3 Vacuum, which is also backed by our GH Seal. This machine comes with a Pure Suction Floorhead designed for use on all smooth flooring and it stood up to all the criteria in our tests, including debris pick-up, weight, and ease of use. Of course, if you only have an upright model, you can still use that too. "Turn off the rotating brush to keep the bristles from scratching your floors and scattering dirt," Forte advises.

About once a month, damp-mop the floor for a thorough deep cleaning. Kitchens and spaces that see a lot of foot traffic might need it more frequently. Grab a mop with a washable, reusable microfiber head, like the ones made by Bona, or one with disposable pads, such as a Swiffer. Spray with a laminate floor cleaner (see below) sparingly, so you don't oversaturate the floor, and then wipe with the mop.

To prevent damage, do not polish or wax a laminate floor. Also, skip abrasive cleaners, scouring powder, and steel wool. They have the potential to scratch the floor and damage the protective finish.

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What is the best cleaner for laminate floors?

Weiman Hardwood Floor Cleaner (2 Pack)

Best floor cleaner for laminate and vinyl

Weiman Hardwood Floor Cleaner (2 Pack)

Weiman Hardwood Floor Cleaner works well on laminate floors and carries our GH Seal. Black Diamond's Wood & Laminate Floor Cleaner also scored high in our tests, and the spray bottle makes spot cleaning as easy as a spritz and a wipe, especially on scuff marks. Bona makes a separate cleaner for stone, tile, and laminate floors too. It comes in a spray bottle or a jug you can use to refill spray mops.

Skip adding any extra fragrances or essentials oils to the bottle or bucket. These cleaners will impart a good smell as is, and additional ingredients may damage the protective coating.

Can you use a wet Swiffer on laminate floors?

Yes, you can use a wet Swiffer or Swiffer WetJet on laminate floors. "The wet Swiffer is best for quickly cleaning small spaces," Forte says. "The WetJet with its battery-operated spray and on-board cleaning formula is better suited for large areas." Bonus: The disposable pads also mean there are no messy mops to store.

Can you use a steam mop on laminate floors?

"It’s best not to use them," Forte says. "The flooring manufacturers caution against them and it may even void your warranty." While the steam mop brands may claim they're safe, check what the care guidelines are for your floor first. Today’s laminates are more resistant to moisture and spills, but the steam can still cause warping and other damage.


Best floor cleaner for laminate and vinyl

Best floor cleaner for laminate and vinyl

Lauren is a senior editor at Hearst. She was previously the senior editor at WomansDay.com and the home editor at GoodHousekeeping.com and HouseBeautiful.com. Her book club, ramen, and jean jackets are a few of her favorite things.

Best floor cleaner for laminate and vinyl

Caroline is a writer and editor with almost a decade of experience. From 2015 to 2019, she held various editorial positions at Good Housekeeping, including as health editor, covering nutrition, fitness, wellness, and other lifestyle news. She's a graduate of the Medill School of Journalism and dreams of the day Northwestern will go back to the Rose Bowl.  

Vinyl is engineered for easy maintenance and cleaning. There’s no need for expensive cleaners to maintain its bright luster — but to keep your vinyl plank floor looking fresh, you’re going to want to clean it with the best vinyl plank floor cleaner you can find. A number of spray cleaners for vinyl plank flooring work great, and you can find a healthy supply of concentrated cleaners that you just add to a bucket or spray bottle of water, such as this Grove Co. Floor Cleaner Concentrate.

A lot of people prefer to make their own soaps and other household cleaning supplies. If you’re looking to make your own floor cleaner for your vinyl plank floors, lots of folks swear by adding a cup of apple cider vinegar to a gallon of warm water. You can mop with it directly, or place it in a spray bottle for spot cleaning as you need it.

If you prefer to just conveniently buy your own cleaner, we recommend any one of the natural products noted above for your vinyl plank floor cleaning needs.

Please note, however, that there are a number of cleaners on the market that you should not use on vinyl plank flooring at all. Avoid using floor cleaners that contain detergents, waxes, or ammonia, which are toxic and can really do a number on your floor. Also avoid using abrasive cleaners, which can scratch the surface of the floor and ruin the finish. You shouldn't use cleaners that are aimed at hardwood floors, because they often contain oils and waxes that can dull the finish of vinyl.


How do you clean vinyl plank flooring?

It's important to know how best to clean a vinyl plank floor. Although maintenance and cleaning are simple, you’re going to want to use the best tips to keep your floor as lustrous as the day it was first put down.

Begin by thoroughly sweeping the floor with a broom or dust mop. Get all of the particles you can off the floor.

Select your cleaning agent of choice – whether it’s apple cider vinegar and water or a solution of the best luxury vinyl floor cleaner and water. Thoroughly wet a mop with the cleaning solution, and mop the floor with it.

For acidic spills – such as orange juice, ketchup, or straight vinegar – add baking soda to a soft cloth and dampen it, then rub the affected area. The baking soda will neutralize the acid while minimizing damage to the surface of the floor.

Do not use scouring pads or steel wool on vinyl plank flooring. These materials will scratch the finish and your floor will lose its shine.


Can you use a Swiffer on vinyl plank flooring?

Vinyl plank flooring is highly durable and water resistant. It can take a beating where other surfaces will often grow dull and lose their luster. Maintain it properly, and a good vinyl plank floor can last a lifetime. With the exception of abrasive cleaners and abrasive cleaning pads – such as steel wool – pretty much any type of cleaning pad, cloth, broom, or mop can be used safely to clean your vinyl floor.

Swiffer© is a popular name in the floor cleaning industry. They are well known for their array of tools and cleaning solutions, all aimed at keeping your floor in tip-top shape. The Swiffer Sweeper© is made of material that is gentle on all surfaces, and is ideal for cleaning vinyl plank flooring. The Swiffer Wet Jet© can utilize any cleaning solution, including any homemade apple cider vinegar concoctions. Swiffer also carries a number of cleaning solutions that are safe and work well on vinyl plank flooring.


What is Grove Collaborative?

At Grove, we take the guesswork out of which products are good for you and your home. Every product meets strict standards for being nontoxic, effective, sustainable, and cruelty-free. Once you find products you love, we ship to your home on a flexible, monthly schedule.

If you're ready to make the transition to natural cleaning, beauty, and household products, shop Grove Collaborative's natural products for the eco-friendly tools to tackle the job.

What floor cleaner is best on laminate?

Overall, the best laminate floor cleaner is Bona Hard-Surface Floor Cleaner Spray, because it's easy to use, removes dirt and grime, and leaves no streak behind.

How do you clean a laminate floor and make it shine?

Ways to Bring Back the Shine to Your Laminate Floors.
Sweep and vacuum the floors. Use a microfiber mop or a soft broom to sweep the debris out of the room. ... .
Prepare a laminate-formulated floor cleaner. ... .
Spray a thin layer onto your floor. ... .
Mop the floor. ... .
Air-dry the room. ... .
Buff any additional dull spots..

What is the best cleaner for vinyl plank flooring?

One of the best vinyl plank flooring cleaners is a cup of apple cider or white vinegar in a gallon of hot water. Dampen your mop, and mop your vinyl plank flooring in the direction of the planks. The vinegar will tackle dirt, grime, and stains without leaving behind streaks or a sudsy mess.