How to Clean Laminate Floors (and Fake Wood Floors) Without Damage

Laminate floors and other types of fake wood flooring may look like real hardwood, but cleaning them is a different game entirely. Beneath their stylish surface lies a moisture-sensitive core that can warp, bubble, or discolor if handled the wrong way. One misplaced puddle or harsh cleaner is all it takes to do permanent damage. While laminate is impressively scratch-resistant and budget-friendly, it demands a careful approach, especially when it comes to water, heat, and cleaning tools. In this guide, we’ll walk you through exactly how to clean laminate and fake wood floors safely and effectively, while avoiding common mistakes.

What is Your Laminate Floor Type?

Before you clean, get to know your floor’s surface. Is it smooth, shiny, or deeply textured? Each one needs a slightly different touch, and the table below helps you match care to type, so your floor stays damage-free and good-looking longer.

Laminate Type	Surface Texture	Water Resistance	Quick Cleaning Tips
Smooth Laminate	Flat and shiny	Low	Sweep or vacuum daily. Use a microfiber mop with a small amount of water weekly. Dry the floor right after.
Embossed Laminate	Textured wood-like	Medium	Vacuum often to pull dust from grooves. Mop with a damp mop and gentle cleaner.
Glossy Laminate	Very reflective finish	Very low	Use a dry mop or vacuum. Choose a cleaner made for glossy laminate.
Hand-Scraped Laminate	Distressed appearance	Medium	Clean gently with a microfiber mop. Use light pressure only.
Waterproof Laminate	Coated and sealed	High	Safe to use steam mops or wet-dry vacuums. Mop with warm water and dry after cleaning.

Choose Your Essential Tools for Cleaning

A good tool can clean faster, safer, and with better results. Let’s look at your top tool choices.

Mop for Laminate Floors

A mop is the most common tool for laminate floor cleaning. But not every mop works well.

Pros:

• Easy to use
• Gentle on all floor types
• Low cost

Cons:

• Can leave streaks if too wet
• Needs frequent rinsing
• May not remove deep dirt

Best for: Smooth or hand-scraped laminate floors that need light cleaning without water pooling

Steam Mop for Laminate Floors

A steam mop sounds powerful. But it must be used carefully on laminate.

Pros:

• Removes sticky spots with heat
• No chemical needed
• Good for sealed waterproof laminate

Cons:

• Too much steam can cause warping
• Not safe for all laminate types
• Often voids manufacturer warranties

Best for: Waterproof laminate floors only, and short sessions with fast drying

Vacuum for Laminate Floors

Vacuuming is great for daily care. But the wrong vacuum can scratch your floor.

Pros:

• Quick and easy
• Pulls dirt from grooves and corners
• No water used

Cons:

• Beater brush may damage floor
• Not all vacuums work well on hard surfaces

Best for: Embossed or textured laminate where dust hides in lines

Vacuum and Mop

Some tools do both jobs. They suck in dirt and mop with water in one step.

Pros:

• Saves time with one device
• Better for large areas
• Can detect dirt levels

Cons:

• Higher price
• Heavier to move
• Not ideal for light messes

Best for: Busy homes with kids or pets and large floor space to clean often

 

Floor Cleaning Solutions for Laminate

Using the right cleaner is just as important as picking the right tool. There are two main options: store-bought and homemade, both of which can work well when chosen carefully.

Store-Bought

Many brands make cleaners just for laminate. These are often pH-balanced and leave no streaks. Some come in spray bottles. Others are concentrates you mix with water.

What to look for:

• pH level between 6.5 and 7.5
• Label says "safe for laminate"
• No wax, oil, or polish ingredients

DIY

You can also make your own cleaner. Just be careful with how much you use.

Common mix:

• 1 gallon of warm water + a few drops of clear dish soap or 1 part white vinegar + 10 parts water

Vinegar helps break down film. Dish soap lifts light dirt. Always use very little and avoid oversoaking the mop.

Start Cleaning

You have your tools. You have your cleaner. Now it is time to clean. Whether you prefer mopping, vacuuming, or steam cleaning, the method matters. Each tool needs a different approach to work well on laminate floors.

How to wash laminate floor with a mop

What you’ll need:

• Microfiber mop
• Bucket
• Warm water
• pH-balanced cleaner or vinegar solution
• Dry microfiber cloth

Steps:

1. Sweep or vacuum the floor to remove loose dirt.
2. Fill a bucket with warm water and your chosen cleaner.
3. Dip the mop and wring it out very well. The mop should be damp, not wet.
4. Start in the far corner and move in straight lines toward the exit.
5. Rinse the mop often and re-wring each time.
6. After mopping, dry the floor with a clean microfiber cloth to avoid water spots.

Time required: Around 20 to 30 minutes for a medium-sized room

Pro-tip: Always rinse your mop after each room. This stops dirty water from spreading to clean areas.

How to vacuum laminate floor

What you’ll need:

• Vacuum with hard floor setting
• Soft brush attachment (optional)

Steps:

1. Make sure the vacuum is set to "hard floor" mode. This turns off the rotating brush.
2. Begin in one corner of the room.
3. Move the vacuum slowly across the floor in long lines.
4. Use the brush attachment for corners, under furniture, and along baseboards.
5. Empty the vacuum bin when it’s half full for better suction.

Time required: 10 to 15 minutes for daily cleaning

Dreame take: Some vacuums do more than just pick up dust. A few even show you what the eye can’t see and clean closer to the wall than a broom ever could. The Dreame Z30 Cordless Stick Vacuum uses 310AW robust suction and smart detection to adjust power while cleaning. Its CelesTect™ light reveals hidden dust. It also has a Clean-to-Edge™ brush that reaches as close as 7mm to the wall. This gives you full corner coverage without guesswork.

How to clean laminate floor with a steam mop

What you’ll need:

• Steam mop with low heat setting
• Clean water only

Steps:

1. Sweep or vacuum before using steam.
2. Fill the mop tank with water.
3. Select the lowest steam level if your floor is waterproof.
4. Test a small area first.
5. Glide the mop slowly across the floor.
6. Do not pause in one spot. Keep the mop moving.
7. Dry the floor with a clean cloth if needed.

Time required: 15 to 20 minutes for light stains or greasy areas

Deep Cleaning Techniques

Daily cleaning removes surface dirt, but some marks need extra attention. Laminate floors can get stained, scuffed, or spotted. These problems call for special methods that target each type of mess without harming the floor.

How to Clean Stains on Laminate Floors

Stains can come from food, drinks, oil, or other daily accidents. Quick action helps prevent them from setting.

Steps:

1. Wipe spills right away with a dry cloth.
2. For dried stains, use a microfiber cloth dampened with diluted vinegar.
3. Rub gently in circles until the mark fades.
4. For oily spots, use a cloth with a drop of clear dish soap mixed in warm water.
5. Finish by wiping with a damp cloth and drying the area.
6. If the stain still stays, test a small amount of rubbing alcohol on a hidden spot. Dab, do not scrub.

How to remove scuff marks

Scuff marks often appear from shoes or furniture legs. They may look like dirt, but they need a different approach.

Steps:

1. Use a soft pencil eraser to rub the mark.
2. If the mark does not fade, try a clean tennis ball. Rub it over the scuff in small circles.
3. For deeper marks, apply a bit of white toothpaste on a microfiber cloth.
4. Rub gently and wipe away with a damp cloth.
5. Dry the area with a clean towel.

Avoid using steel wool or abrasive pads. These tools can scratch the surface.

Common Mistakes When Cleaning Laminate Floors

Some cleaners and methods may seem helpful, but they often harm the surface. Here are things to stay away from:

• Steam cleaners on regular laminate: Too much heat and moisture can seep into seams and cause warping
• Soapy water or all-purpose soap: Leaves a sticky film that attracts more dirt
• Abrasive powders: Scratches the top layer and ruins the finish
• Bleach or ammonia: Harsh chemicals that may break down the protective coating
• Oil-based polish or wax: Creates a dull film and causes slipping
• Too much water: Standing water can seep through joints and cause swelling
• Steel wool and rough pads: These cause scratches that cannot be fixed

Maintenance Tips

A good maintenance plan helps prevent damage, reduce buildup, and hold the floor’s original shine. You should think long-term to care for and keep your laminate floor looking fresh.

Clean Laminate Floors Regularly

Dirt and dust act like sandpaper on the surface. They scratch and dull the finish over time.

• Sweep or vacuum daily, especially in busy rooms
• Mop once every one or two weeks using a slightly damp microfiber mop
• Dry the floor after mopping to avoid water stains

Stick to a schedule. Small efforts done often work better than deep cleaning once in a while.

How to Maintain Shine on Laminate Wood Floors

Laminate floors do not need wax. In fact, wax or polish can cause haze and film.

• Use a pH-balanced cleaner designed for laminate
• Buff the floor gently with a clean microfiber cloth after mopping
• Open windows to let air flow dry the surface faster
• Avoid walking on freshly cleaned floors with shoes

Shine comes from clean surfaces, not coating layers. Do not try to add gloss with outside products.

How to Deal with Pet Hair on Laminate Floors

Pet hair is light and often spreads fast. It sticks to corners and baseboards. Without daily care, it forms dust clumps.

• Use a vacuum with strong suction and no rotating brush
• A dry microfiber mop also picks up hair well
• For furniture, use a pet grooming tool or handheld brush
• Keep your pet’s nails trimmed to avoid scuff marks

The Dreame Z30 Cordless Stick Vacuum helps with pet hair. Its smart detection adjusts suction. The Pet Deshedding Tool also removes floating fur easily during cleaning or grooming sessions.

Our Top Picks for Laminate Floor Cleaning

Cleaning laminate floors gets easier with the right tools. In this case, vacuums offer the essential care and convenience in use. Some vacuums are made for deep suction. Some combine vacuum and mop features. Others add heat and automation.

We choose these three Dreame models that work well for different needs.

Dreame H14 Wet and Dry Vacuum

Best for large spaces that need vacuum and mop care, especially in homes with heavy foot traffic.

The model is great for deep cleaning with care. It uses a resilient scraper and 18,000Pa suction power to lift dirt and water. The dual-edge brush reaches corners and edges. The vacuum also features 140°F (60°C) hot water cleaning and 5-minute sealed hot air drying, which helps clean grime without leaving water marks. It adjusts power based on dirt level. This protects laminate surfaces from over-wetting.

Dreame X50 Ultra

Best for those that want regular, automated cleaning without daily effort.

This is a robotic cleaner with smart features. It uses 20,000Pa Vormax suction, a HyperStream™ Detangling DuoBrush, and a MopExtend™ RoboSwing arm. The robot cleans under low furniture and into corners. The mop heats water to 176°F (80°C) for better stain removal and dries with hot air after each use. It lifts mop pads automatically when detecting carpet. With its Smart Dirt Detection 2.0, it can tell when to clean more deeply. The 100-day auto dust emptying adds hands-free care. It's a cleaning revolution for large homes.

Dreame Z30 Cordless Stick Vacuum

Best for those who want a strong, visible clean on hard floors and pet areas.

The cordless stick vacuum provides 310AW robust suction powered by a 150,000 RPM motor. It has CelesTect™ Technology to light up hidden dust. The Clean-to-Edge™ brush helps clean along baseboards and narrow spaces. It detects dirt and adjusts power. The HEPA filtration removes particles as small as 0.1 microns. It runs up to 90 minutes in eco mode.

Smart Cleaning, Lasting Results

Laminate floors don’t need fancy care, but they do need the right kind. Skip the harsh chemicals, avoid soaking, and match your cleaning method to the floor type. Whether you’re spot-cleaning after pets or maintaining shine in high-traffic areas, small habits go a long way. With the right tools and a light touch, your floors will stay smooth, clean, and problem-free for years.