In this article we explain the best cleaner for laminate flooring. Many homes in the United Kingdom use laminate flooring around their home. They do this because they like the look of it and the fact that is affordable and hard wearing.
The good news is that it is also easy to keep clean, and especially if you pick the right cleaner for the job. In this article we show you what types of cleaner are available in the UK, and the advantages and disadvantages of picking the right one for your needs.
The most popular laminate floor cleaners are used with a spray bottle which is then mopped off to leave the floor clean and also allows it to dry quickly.
Laminate flooring is relatively easy to look after. It will need regular vacuuming and damp mopping to keep it looking its best. Any stubborn scuffs and marks may need treating with a specialist cleaner.
Thanks to the clear coat layer, laminates are pretty stain-resistant if you deal with any stains quickly.
My Top 5 Picks 2024
1. Best Seller Laminate Floor Cleaner
This is the best selling floor cleaner and can be used on laminate floors, tiles and stone floors. This is a 4 litre jar and the cleaner is water based and leaves a streak free clean with no residue.
It is the choice of most flooring professionals and gets very good online buyer reviews. To use you simply spray and mop and it will be dry in around 5 minutes.
Any mop will do but this company also make a mop if you feel the need for that.
Pros
Cons
Check Amazon UK - Price when reviewed £21 - 90% buyer satisfaction based on 2,000+ online buyer reviews
2. Best Laminate Floor Cleaner for Daily Use
This is a good and affordable option for quick spot and stain cleaning and works on all types of laminate flooring
It is really good for getting rid of dirt, stains, mud, footprints, paw prints and light soiling
Just a quick spray and a wipe with a dry mop or cloth to quickly remove spots and stains
It doesn't leave streaks or smears and gives a really nice shine
Pros
Cons
Check Amazon UK - Price when reviewed £14.95 - 74% buyer satisfaction based on 50+ online buyer reviews
3. Best Shine Restorer for Laminate Floors
This is a glossy mopping cleaner for all types of laminate floors and for those who want a shine to their laminate flooring. o use this product you dissolve 50ml of the cleaner in half a bucket of lukewarm water.
Then clean with a damp mop or floor cloth, regularly rinsing it out in the cleaning solution.
Then allow the floor to dry naturally for a deep shine
Pros
Cons
Check Amazon UK - Price when reviewed £10.52 - 84% buyer satisfaction based on 3,500+ online buyer reviews
4. Best Wipes for Laminate Floors
Rather than pull out the mop and cleaner every time you have a spill, some buyers prefer to use a wet wipe
The pack shown to the right is the best seller and contains 24 large wipes
You can attach one of these to your mop or just use it by hand to deal with spills and stains when they happen
They have a nice lemon scent to them and are around A4 paper size
Pros
Cons
Check Amazon UK - Price when reviewed £4.26 - 76% buyer satisfaction based on 1,000+ online buyer reviews
5. Best Microfibre Mop for Laminate Floors
The Mr Siga microfibre mop is the best selling option that we could find online. It can be used for wet and dry mopping so good for brushing a wooden floor and then mopping it.
The handle is adjustable so as you can get a suitable length for your needs
The cloths then clip on and are double sided and can be washed in your washing machine
Pros
Cons
Check Amazon UK - Price when reviewed £26.99 - 92% buyer satisfaction based on 14,000+ online buyer reviews
Laminate Floor Cleaner Full Buyer's Guide
We always like to include a full buyer's guide for UK buyers so as they can be fully informed about the various features that go to make up a good laminate floor cleaner.
Laminate flooring can be used in most areas of the home including dining rooms, living rooms, hallways, kitchens and bedrooms. You can also get it for bathrooms but you need to buy a certain type. Likewise, if you have any type of underfloor heating then you also need to buy a special type.
What is Laminate Flooring?
Laminate flooring is made by compressing four layers together at a high heat and a high pressure. The inner layers are usually some form of resin and fibre board and on top of that is a photographic layer which is then covered with a clear coat layer.
The photographic layer is what determines the colour and appearance of the wood and the clear coat layer is what adds the protection. It is in effect this clear coat layer that needs to be cleaned and polished to keep the laminate flooring in good shape.
All laminate flooring is man made by many different manufacturers and comes in many designs and thicknesses. It is not real wood which of course needs to be cleaned and protected in a very different way.
When it comes to buying any type of laminate flooring there are three key things to understand. These are AC wear rating, the thickness of the laminate floor and its resistance to water.
Most people will be more concerned about the appearance and how it is going to look once it has been put down. That is of course the most important thing, but never overlook the three important features we have mentioned above. We explain those just below in a little more detail.
What is AC Wear Rating?
Manufacturing companies use a rating known as the AC rating )Abrasion Coefficient) to determine how much abrasion a laminate floor can take. This rating can be anywhere between AC1 - AC6.
- AC1-AC2 - low to moderate traffic areas such as bedrooms and dining rooms
- AC3-AC4 - moderate to high traffic areas such as hallways and living rooms
- AC5-AC6 - High traffic areas such as businesses and commercial premises
When buying a laminate floor it is always a good idea to be aware of this as it is also important for keeping them clean. You can also use laminate flooring with an AC3-AC4 rating in kitchens if they are not subject to lots of footfall.
This is a measure of how your laminate floor can stand up to scratches such as moving furniture around, footfall, and general day to day scratching. The higher this rating the more it will stand up to scratches.
What thickness is available and does it really matter?
Laminate floors come in thicknesses anything from 3mm and all the way up to 14mm. Does it really make a difference?
It has no impact on how scratch resistant it is or as to how long it will last. Thicker laminate floor boards will feel more solid and does feel more comfortable to walk on. It is also easier to install as it has less flexibility.
It has no impact on the cleaning of the floor though as the finish is the same clear coat irrespective of thickness.
Water resistance explained
Laminate flooring is not used in bathrooms as there is too much moisture. There are some specialised laminate floors for bathrooms but it is an expensive option and needs specialised fitting as well.
Wood and water don't really mix and that is why you should avoid installing laminate floor in bathrooms, utility rooms, laundry rooms or kitchens. Almost always you are better off using tiles in these rooms.
Laminate floors do not handle water well and they can swell. They can cope with a spill if cleaned up quickly. They should never be left or allowed to settle.
Likewise when cleaning it is always best to spray the cleaner on to a mop and then wipe quickly across the laminate floor.
Resources use to help write this article
Important Features of laminate flooring - Woodfloorwarehouse
Types of laminate flooring - Build Direct
