Cheap, Homemade Laminate Floor Cleaner

Laminate has taken the flooring world by storm. Imitation hardwood flooring some may call it, but its low cost durable beauty and easy installation make it a popular choice when building or remodeling. The only minor flaw in owning a laminate floor is the price of the recommended floor cleaners. Cleaners formulated specifically for laminate flooring are pricey, and usually recommended by either the manufacturer or installer. My husband works in the flooring industry and we are the proud owners of laminate flooring, so we have the inside scoop on a couple ways to make cheap, homemade cleaners that will keep ‘imitation hardwood floors’ clean and looking great for years.

Cheap Laminate Floor Cleaner

Mix one cup of white vinegar in one gallon of warm water or mix four tablespoons of rubbing alcohol in one gallon of warm water. Either floor cleaning choice will only cost about one quarter per gallon.

How To Clean Laminate Flooring

Mix up your choice of cheap floor cleaners and pour into a spray bottle. Keep this on hand for spot cleaning spills as they occur. Mix up another batch of cheap floor cleaner and clean your entire area I one of these ways-

I prefer to use a mop with a flat base a removable micro-fiber cloth. I dip the micro-fiber cloth into the vinegar water mixture (my favorite), wring it out until it’s just slightly damp, attach it to the mop head and clean. If the micro-fiber cloth becomes too dry before I’m done cleaning the floor, I remove the cloth, rinse it out, re-wet it with vinegar and water, re-attach it and continue mopping.

String Mop or Swiffer

Dip string or sponge mop in vinegar water and wring or squeeze until the mop is only slightly damp and clean small are of floor, then re-dampen mop and clean another small floor area.

If your Swiffer mop has a refillable cleaner bottle, pour your choice of homemade floor cleaner in the Swiffer bottle and mop as usual.

Dry Laminate Floor

Laminate flooring cannot be saturated with water and never allow water to seep into the seams or it can result in warping. Drying floor after mopping will prevent any excess water from sitting on the floor and will prevent spots and streaks. Use a dry micro-fiber cloth on the bottom of a mop head and dry the floor, moving the dry cloth in the same direction as the floor grain.vg