To clean laminate flooring effectively, always use minimal moisture. Sweep or vacuum daily in high-traffic areas, damp-mop weekly with a microfiber mop and laminate-safe cleaner. Deep clean every 2–3 months while avoiding the use of steam mops, soaking wet mops, or harsh chemicals.
This comprehensive guide provides you with battle-tested methods that actually work in real homes with kids, pets, and coastal sand tracking everywhere from Sydney apartments to Perth rentals. You’ll learn exactly what damages laminate (and why), the safest DIY recipes, the best commercial products in 2025, and how to remove every common stain without leaving haze or residue. Follow this and your floors will stay shiny and damage-free for decades.
Whether you’re maintaining floors in a Sydney home or anywhere else in the world, these principles stay the same — only the sweeping frequency changes with your local climate.
Understanding Laminate Flooring: Layers, Weak Points & Care Tips
Think of your laminate’s top layer like a phone screen protector — tough enough for daily life, but it can scratch or cloud if you use the wrong tools or too much liquid.
Modern laminate is built in four layers:
- Wear layer – transparent melamine resin with aluminium oxide for scratch and fade resistance
- Decor/print layer – high-resolution photo of wood or stone
- Core layer – usually high-density fibreboard (HDF)
- Backing layer – stabiliser that keeps the plank flat
The seams where planks click together are the Achilles’ heel. Once water penetrates those seams, the HDF core swells and you get irreversible peaking or cupping. This is why laminate is water-resistant, not waterproof (unlike most vinyl planks, which are truly waterproof).
Laminate is NOT engineered hardwood. Engineered hardwood has a real timber wear layer that can be sanded and refinished. Laminate cannot — once the wear layer is damaged, the floor is permanently marred.
Understanding this construction is why we obsess over minimal moisture and never use steam TOC Flooring – Laminate Flooring Technical Guide.
Read more about: Hybrid vs Vinyl Flooring: Which One Performs Better in Australian Conditions
Daily & Weekly Laminate Floor Cleaning: Prevent 90% of Problems
Most laminate damage occurs from neglect, rather than a single large spill.
1. Dry Sweep or Vacuum First — Always
How often you should do it:
- Every day in kitchens, entryways, and homes with pets or kids
- 3–4 times a week in other areas
- Daily in coastal areas like Sydney, Bondi, and the Gold Coast, fine beach sand works like sandpaper and can scratch laminate floors
Best tools to use:
- A soft-bristle broom, or
- A vacuum on hard-floor mode with the beater bar/brush turned OFF (the spinning brush can scratch laminate)
2. Immediate Spill Response
- Blot, don’t wipe. Use a slightly damp microfiber cloth to absorb spills as soon as they happen.
- For sticky spills such as juice, wine, or pet accidents: blot the area first, then clean with warm water and a small drop of clear dish soap.
- Dry the spot immediately to prevent moisture from seeping into the seams.
3. Weekly Light Damp Mopping
This is the step most people get wrong and end up with streaks.
Correct Mopping Method for Laminate Floors
- Vacuum or sweep first to remove dust and debris.
- Prepare your cleaner:
- Use a laminate-specific cleaner, or
- DIY mix: 1 teaspoon clear dish soap (no moisturisers) + 4 litres warm water
- Use a laminate-specific cleaner, or
- Lightly mist the floor with a spray bottle — never spray the mop directly.
- Mop in straight lines using a microfiber mop, following the direction of the planks.
- The mop should feel almost dry after 2–3 seconds on the floor.
- Rinse or replace the mop head frequently to prevent dirt from being spread back onto the floor.
Pro tip: If your microfiber mop leaves lint, consider replacing it — cheap ones shed and drive you crazy.
How to Deep Clean Laminate Flooring: Step-by-Step Guide
When to Deep-Clean Your Laminate Floors
If your floors look cloudy, streaky, or show footprints even after regular cleaning, it’s time for a proper deep clean.
Step-by-Step Deep Cleaning
- Move your furniture (use felt pads to avoid scratches).
- Vacuum thoroughly, including edges and under appliances.
- Pick your cleaner (commercial or DIY options below).
- Work in small 3 × 3 metre sections.
- Lightly spray the floor, then mop following the grain, dry immediately with a clean microfiber cloth or dry mop pad.
- Open windows to improve airflow and help the floor dry faster.
If you’d prefer a professional deep clean, check out our Laminate Floor Cleaning service through Westlink Services to restore your floors safely and effectively.
Best DIY Deep-Cleaning Mix (Safe When Used Carefully)
Mix:
- 3 parts warm water
- 1 part white distilled vinegar
- Optional: 1 teaspoon clear dish soap
Use this no more than once a month — frequent use can slowly dull cheaper laminate finishes.
How to Remove Stains from Laminate Flooring: Problem-Solving Guide
Quick-reference table
| Stain Type | Treatment Method | Caution / Notes |
| Grease/Oil | Freeze with ice pack in bag → scrape with plastic scraper → clean with dish soap solution | Never use metal tools |
| Chewing Gum/Wax | Freeze → gently scrape → wipe with barely damp cloth | Do not use heat or a hairdryer |
| Ink/Marker | Dab (don’t rub) with acetone/nail polish remover on a white cloth | Test the hidden area first; ventilate well |
| Scuff Marks | Tennis ball on stick OR baking soda + water paste | Light pressure only |
| Red Wine/Juice | Blot immediately → 50/50 vinegar-water → blot dry | Act within minutes for the best results |
| Pet Urine | Blot → enzyme cleaner (Nature’s Miracle Hard Floor) → rinse area with water → dry | Old urine may permanently discolour |
| Haze/Film Buildup | 100 % acetone on microfiber cloth + elbow grease | Well-ventilated area; wear gloves |
| Sticky Residue | Warm water + a few drops of dish soap → rinse thoroughly | Avoid excess water |
Quick Troubleshooting Guide for Sticky Marks
- Sticky footprints showing? Start with a mild dish soap and water mix.
- Still sticky? Try a vinegar-and-water solution (1 part vinegar, 3 parts water).
- Still not gone? Use a small amount of acetone on a cloth — make sure the room is well-ventilated.
- No improvement? The protective wear layer is likely damaged, and the only real fix is replacing the affected boards.
Laminate Floor Cleaning Mistakes to Avoid: Protect Your Floors
Avoid These Common Mistakes When Cleaning Laminate Floors:
- Steam mops: The heat and moisture can weaken the floor’s adhesive and cause damage.
- Wet or string mops: Too much water can seep into the seams and make the boards swell.
- Oil-based cleaners (like Murphy’s Oil Soap): These leave a sticky residue that attracts more dirt.
- Wax or polish: Laminate can’t absorb these products, and once applied, they’re nearly impossible to remove.
- Bleach, ammonia, or abrasive powders: These can scratch, dull, or permanently damage the protective wear layer.
- Magic Erasers on glossy floors: They act like sandpaper and remove the shine.
- Vinegar (too strong or used too often): Over time, it can slowly wear down the floor’s protective coating.
In nearly every warranty issue I’ve seen—especially swollen seams or boards coming apart—the cause was one of these cleaning mistakes.
Follow manufacturer guidelines and see NALFA recommendations – North American Laminate Flooring Association for industry-standard care.
Laminate Floor Maintenance Tips: Keep Floors Looking New for 25+ Years
The best cleaning is the one you never have to do.
Proactive habits:
- Large doormats at every entrance (shake weekly)
- No-shoes policy inside (huge difference, especially in Sydney’s sandy coastal suburbs)
- Felt pads under ALL furniture legs — replace when worn
- Trim pet nails regularly
- Area rugs in the kitchen, hallways, and under dining tables
- Use curtains/blinds to prevent UV fading
- Maintain indoor humidity 35–55 % (use a dehumidifier in Queensland summers, a humidifier in southern winters)
- Place trays under pot plants
In my experience cleaning hundreds of Sydney homes, floors in beachside properties need sweeping twice daily during summer, while inland homes can get away with 3–4 times weekly. Adjust to your microclimate, Auswood/Envirofloor Laminate Care Guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you use a steam mop on laminate flooring?
No. Steam forces hot water into seams and breaks down adhesives. Even “Water-resistant” laminates from 2024–2025 (Pergo Wet-Protect, Mohawk RevWood Plus) can handle occasional steam, but standard laminates will be ruined. Stick to microfiber.
How often should you mop laminate floors?
Lightly damp mop weekly in high-traffic areas, and every 10–14 days in low-traffic areas. Deep clean every 2–3 months or when floors look dull.
What is the best homemade cleaner for laminate floors?
3 parts warm water + 1 part white vinegar + tiny squirt clear dish soap. Safe, cheap, effective when used sparingly.
Can you use vinegar and water on laminate floors?
Yes — diluted 1:3 maximum once per month. More frequent or stronger solutions can dull cheaper wear layers over time.
Will water damage laminate flooring?
Standing water longer than 30–60 minutes will almost always cause swelling. Quick spills wiped immediately are fine.
How do you make laminate floors shine without streaks?
Barely damp microfiber mop + laminate-specific cleaner + mop with the grain + immediate dry pass with clean microfiber towel. That’s the only method that works consistently.
Can you use Swiffer WetJet on laminate?
Not recommended. The solution leaves residue and the pads release too much liquid. Dry Swiffer sweeper is excellent though.
How do you remove haze from laminate floors?
100 % acetone on a microfiber cloth, small sections, good ventilation, lots of elbow grease. Works every time.
Is laminate flooring waterproof or water-resistant?
99 % of laminate is water-resistant only. Only specific 2024–2025 lines with waterproof warranties (e.g., Pergo WetProtect, AquaGuard) are truly waterproof.
How do you clean laminate floors without leaving residue?
Use water-based cleaners only, never oil-based. Always do a final pass with plain water or a barely damp mop, then dry immediately.
Follow this guide and you’ll never need to Google “how to fix swollen laminate” again.
Your floors will look freshly installed for decades — guaranteed.
