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Laminate flooring, a type of synthetic flooring crafted to simulate the look of wood or tile, has improved considerably over the years, making it a popular choice for people looking to improve the appearance of their floors. High-quality laminate floors can accurately imitate the look of hardwood at a much lower price. However, if not properly maintained, the finish can dull over time.
To keep laminate floors in tip-top shape, you must clean them with a gentle mopping solution. These floors also require damp mopping, as too much moisture can cause warping. We researched the highest-rated products to find the best laminate floor cleaner and then chose seven to test. After hours of hands-on testing, we assigned each a category, making it easy to find the best cleaner to fit a variety of needs.
- BEST OVERALL: Bona Hard-Surface Floor Cleaner
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Weiman Hardwood Floor Cleaner
- BEST NATURAL: Better Life Dirt-Destroying Floor Cleaner
- BEST FOR SHINE: Quick Shine Multi-Surface Floor Finish
- BEST FOR SCRATCHES: Rejuvenate All Floors Restorer
- BEST FOR STAINS: Black Diamond Stoneworks Wood & Laminate Cleaner
- BEST FOR PETS: Aunt Fannie’s Vinegar Floor Cleaner
How We Tested the Best Laminate Floor Cleaners
Before selecting laminate floor cleaners to test, we asked expert floor cleaners for their opinions. Charlie King, owner of Greenway Carpet Cleaning Las Vegas, says, “It is essential to use cleaners specifically designed for laminate floors to prevent damage to the protective layer. General-purpose cleaners may contain harsh chemicals that can compromise the integrity of the flooring.” With this in mind, we researched specialty cleaners and narrowed down twelve popular products.
We chose seven products for testing based on customer ratings and user needs. We wanted a mix of natural and chemical cleaners, plus options for filling in scratches and restoring shine. Our final product picks included five laminate floor mopping solutions and two laminate floor restorers.
We allowed our floors to build up regular household dirt and then used each mopping solution on our 700 square feet of test laminate. To assess the cleaning power, we smeared pasta sauce and apple juice on the floors, let the substances dry, and then mopped with each cleaner. Of the five mopping solutions we chose, all passed our tests, wiping out dirt, pasta sauce, and apple juice, leaving our floors clean and streak-free.
We tested the two floor restorer products next to each other on a patch of dulling laminate. Both were easy to apply and worked as described.
Testing Stats
- Products tested: 7
- Hours spent testing: 3.5
- Tests performed: 5
- Average price: $15.49
Our Top Picks
Whether your primary concern is stains, scratches, or shine, consider these hand-tested laminate floor cleaners. When evaluating the following products, we took several important factors into consideration, including versatility, application style, and chemical versus natural ingredient content.
Best Overall
Bona Hard-Surface Floor Cleaner
Pros
- Fine mist spray prevents product overuse, keeping the user from oversaturating the floor
- Gently removes dirt and grime; dries streak-free and doesn’t leave any residue behind
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Certified Choice product; contains plant-derived ingredients that are safe for people and pets
- Unscented formula is ideal for those who are sensitive to fragrance
Cons
- Carrying around a full bottle of product while mopping can feel cumbersome
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 5/5; Effectiveness 5/5; Scent 5/5; Value 5/5
Product Specs
- Ready to use: Yes
- Application type: Spray
- Scented: No
The Bona hard-surface floor cleaner features a water-based pH-neutral formula and a fine-mist spray, making it ideal for gently wiping away dirt and grime on laminate floors. It also has a plant-derived formula that’s safe for both people and pets and is certified EPA Safer Choice, which we appreciate.
We used this product to mop up household dirt repeatedly, and it never left behind any streaks or residue. The fine mist released the perfect amount of solution for damp mopping and prevented us from oversaturating our floors. To clean up tougher messes, like stuck-on food, we aimed the nozzle closer to the floor and sprayed until we had enough product to wipe away the grime. In conjunction with a microfiber mop, this cleaner was suitable for regular dirt buildup, sticky spots, and food messes.
We tested the unscented version of this Bona laminate cleaner, but it also comes in a lemon-mint scent for those who prefer fragrance. Refill bottles are available, making Bona an economical option. Aside from laminate, this hard-floor surface cleaner is also suitable for stone, sealed tile, and luxury vinyl floors.
Get the Bona laminate floor cleaner at Amazon, The Home Depot, or Target.
Best Bang for the Buck
Weiman Hardwood Floor Cleaner
Pros
- Refill size is ideal for adding to a spray mop or refilling spray bottles
- Performed well in tests, cleaning up regular dirt and tough messes
- Laminate floors dry completely clean, streak-free with no residue
Cons
- Easy to oversaturate floors if you use it directly from the refill bottle
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 5/5; Effectiveness 5/5; Scent 5/5; Value 5/5;
Product Specs
- Ready to use: Yes
- Application type: Refill bottle
- Scented: Yes
Weiman makes some of the best floor cleaners on the market, and with this 1-gallon refill container, the bulk pricing makes this quality product among the most affordable (cost per ounce). Though it’s primarily touted as a hardwood cleaner, it works just as well on vinyl and laminate floors.
We loved the fresh citrus scent of this mopping solution. It also delivered excellent cleaning power, removing dirt and messes from our laminate floors. The directions indicated that we could use this cleaner straight out of the bottle or to refill spray mops and spray bottles. We first tried dumping the solution on the floor and then spreading it with a mop. Using it this way made it easy to oversaturate our floors, so we switched to using it out of a refillable spray bottle. The spray bottle provided better control, allowing us to spray just enough to damp clean with our microfiber mop.
This complete formula delivers a streak-free glow without the use of harsh chemicals, meeting EPA Safer Choice standards. Its plant-derived ingredients are also safe for kids and pets to walk on once the product has dried. Since it has a multiuse formula, we also used it on our hardwoods and were equally impressed with its effectiveness.
Get the Weiman laminate floor cleaner at Amazon or Walmart.
Best Natural
Better Life Dirt-Destroying Floor Cleaner
Pros
- Suitable for use with microfiber mops, string mops, and steam mops
- Squirt bottle makes for easy application and allows control over the amount of mopping solution
- Works on all sealed floors, including laminate, hardwoods, tile, bamboo, and more
Cons
- Produces suds on laminate floors when excess cleaner is used
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 5/5; Effectiveness 4.8/5; Scent 5/5; Value 5/5
Product Specs
- Ready to use: Yes
- Application type: Squirt bottle
- Scented: Yes
Better Life is one of our favorite natural cleaning brands, and its Dirt Destroying floor cleaner doesn’t disappoint. When looking for a natural product for multiple flooring surfaces in your home, this mopping solution is a versatile pick. It can be used on laminate flooring as well as hardwood, tile, marble, bamboo, and vinyl. It’s a ready-to-use formula you can dispense directly onto the floor from its squirt-bottle container.
We used this cleaner with a damp microfiber spin mop, although it’s compatible with all types of mops, including steam mops. We squirted it on our floor in small sections and then mopped in back-and-forth motions. It cleared dirt without issue. We also used it to clean stuck-on pasta sauce and sticky apple juice, squirting a liberal amount on the messes and then wicking them away with our mop. While this cleaner was effective, our biggest complaint was that it got sudsy when we used too much. To prevent our floors from streaking, we had to re-dampen our mop head and wipe the suds away.
This cleaner uses coconut- and corn-based surfactants, and while it includes pure essential oils for a citrus-mint scent, it’s free of synthetic fragrances as well as dyes, sulfates, parabens, and petroleum solvents. We thought the citrus-mint scent was the best smelling of all the laminate floor cleaners we tested.
Get the Better Life laminate floor cleaner at Amazon or Better Life.
Best for Shine
Quick Shine Multi-Surface Floor Finish
Pros
- Easy application; pour on the floor and spread with a damp mop
- Restores shine to dulling floors and adds a protective layer
- Suitable for multiple flooring types including laminate, hardwood, luxury vinyl tile, tile, and stone
Cons
- Pouring straight from the bottle makes for a sloppy application
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 4/5; Effectiveness 5/5; Scent 3/5; Value 4/5
Product Specs
- Ready to use: Yes
- Application type: Pour
- Scented: No
Quick Shine is a leading maker of floor polishes, and this product is formulated to work well on multiple surfaces, including hardwood, laminate, luxury vinyl, tile, and stone. The formula adds a protective layer that adds shine and fills in scratches, evening out the floor’s appearance. Certified by the EPA as a Safer Choice Product, the Quick Shine floor finish doesn’t contain aluminum, ammonia, formaldehyde, fragrances, parabens, or phthalates.
This complete product comes in both squirt bottles and refill containers. We tested the larger 64-fluid-ounce bottle, which covers approximately 2,400 square feet. Before using it, we thoroughly swept and mopped our laminate and allowed our floors to dry.
We applied Quick Shine to a small test patch by pouring it straight from the bottle onto the floor. We attempted to pour it in an “S” pattern as the bottle suggested but found it difficult to do. The product had a milky consistency and a slight smell, similar to latex paint. After pouring, we spread the solution with a damp microfiber mop and let it dry. The floor looked slightly shinier the next day, but there wasn’t a dramatic change. We think Quick Shine is a good fit for those who want to add a bit of shine to their dull floors or protect them from wear and tear.
Get the Quick Shine laminate floor finish at Amazon or The Home Depot.
Best for Scratches
Rejuvenate All Floors Restorer
Pros
- Squirt bottle makes for easy application; just squirt and then spread with a mop
- Works on multiple surfaces, including hardwood, laminate, vinyl, and tile
- Fills in scratches and adds shine, improving the look of laminate floors
Cons
- Costs more per ounce than many products with a similar formula
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 5/5; Effectiveness 5/5; Scent 3/5; Value 4.5/5
Product Specs
- Ready to use: Yes
- Application type: Squirt bottle
- Scented: No
While laminate floors are designed for durability, they can still be susceptible to scratching. For a high-traffic home that sees its fair share of wear and tear, the Rejuvenate All Floors Restorer might be a good choice. This complete polymer-based product functions by resealing flooring and filling in scratches. Formulated to work on laminate as well as hardwood, vinyl, and tile, this is a versatile product that you squeeze directly onto the floor.
Applying Rejuvenate to our laminate was a breeze, thanks to the squirt-top bottle. After sweeping and mopping, we squirted some of this product onto a small section of the floor using an “S” pattern. Then, we took a dry microfiber cloth and gently spread it in the direction of the grain. We checked in on our floors after about an hour, and it was easy to see the difference between the treated section and the untreated area of the floor.
The Rejuvenate formula had a milky consistency and a low paintlike odor. It gave our floors a nice sheen and a refreshed look. Using this product is an easy and inexpensive way to make dulling floors appear more even and shiny.
Get the Rejuvenate laminate floor cleaner at Amazon, Lowe’s, or The Home Depot .
Best for Stains
Black Diamond Stoneworks Wood & Laminate Cleaner
Pros
- Cleans up regular dirt, oil, food messes, drink spills, and footprints
- Leaves behind an invisible shield, protecting laminate floors from grease, soil, and water buildup
- Fine mist spray bottle prevents overuse of product, protecting floors from oversaturation
Cons
- Expensive compared to laminate floor cleaners with similar-size bottles
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 5/5; Effectiveness 5/5; Scent 4/5; Value 4.5/5
Product Specs
- Ready to use: Yes
- Application type: Spray
- Scented: Yes
Accidents happen, and if your family members are prone to spills—and not wiping up immediately—the Black Diamond cleaner might belong in your home. This water-based cleaner banishes tough stains (including oil) without leaving streaks. It provides a high shine and is suitable for many types of flooring, including both hardwood and laminate. It’s made with gentler ingredients than some stronger floor cleaners and is advertised as being safe for use around children and pets.
During hands-on testing, this Black Diamond cleaner tackled the toughest of dried-on food messes, thanks to its powerful formula and a handy spray bottle that allowed us to control the amount of mopping solution. It also did great on everyday dirt, releasing enough cleaner from the fine mist spray bottle for us to mop. We followed the directions, working in 6-foot-long by 4-foot-wide areas of floor, spraying and then mopping until dry. The result was a clean and streak-free laminate floor.
We also appreciated the special PS3 shield, which leaves behind an invisible layer, protecting the floor from future grease, soil, and water buildup. For those concerned about scent, this product has a light, clean scent that’s barely noticeable. The only thing we didn’t like about this product was the cost. While not expensive, it does cost more than similar laminate cleaners of the same size.
Get the Black Diamond laminate floor cleaner at Amazon or BDStoneworks.
Best for Pets
Aunt Fannie’s Vinegar Floor Cleaner
Pros
- Contains natural ingredients that are pet and kid-friendly, and is Environmental Working Group (EWG) “A” rated for safety
- Safe for most sealed hard floor types, including laminate, hardwoods, tile, and linoleum
- Concentrated formula makes up to 16 gallons of mopping solution
Cons
- Leaves a slight vinegar smell which may be off-putting to some people
- Must dilute; using excess vinegar can damage sensitive floors like laminate
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 4/5; Effectiveness 5/5; Scent 3.5/5; Value 4.5/5
Product Specs
- Ready to use: No
- Application type: Concentrated (requires dilution)
- Scented: Yes
Pet parents concerned about exposing their animal companions to harsh chemicals may want to check out Aunt Fannie’s floor cleaner. It’s a high-performance, plant-based, natural product that uses vinegar—a well-known alternative to chemical cleaning products—to clean. It’s a concentrated formula (dilution in water required) that works on multiple surfaces. This Aunt Fannie’s product emits no strong chemical odor, and it received an “A” rating from the EWG.
Since this product is concentrated, we used a microfiber spin mop and bucket, adding a half cup of Aunt Fannie’s floor wash and 2 gallons of water to our bucket. The solution did a decent job of removing dirt from our floors, and with the use of a little extra mopping solution and scrubbing power, we were able to tackle dried-on food and drink messes.
The Aunt Fannie concentrate comes in three scents: lavender, bright lemon, and eucalyptus. We tried the eucalyptus scent, which was pleasant, although a light vinegar aroma still filled our room as we cleaned. (The vinegar smell dissipated as the floors dried.) This cleaner is an excellent option for those with pets and multiple floor surfaces in their home. However, those who don’t like the smell of vinegar may want to try an alternative product.
Get the Aunt Fannie’s laminate floor cleaner at Amazon.
Jump to Our Top Picks
What to Consider When Choosing a Laminate Floor Cleaner
Though it might be easy to assume that all laminate cleaners will deliver a similar result, there are several factors to weigh. Keep these in mind when shopping for the best floor cleaner for your laminate floors.
Type
While traditional floor cleaners require you to rinse the entire surface after cleaning, most modern products are formulated so that there’s no need for a second step post-cleaning. That said, there are two types of concentrations available in floor cleaners today: concentrated and complete.
Concentrated laminate floor cleaners are meant to be diluted with water before use. This added step may be a bit inconvenient but could save you money. Complete laminate floor cleaners are ready to use and can be applied directly from the bottle without mixing with water. A nonconcentrated formula will inevitably be used up more quickly, so is likely more expensive to use than a concentrated product.
Aside from concentration, also consider application. Floor cleaners are typically sold in one of three types of packaging:
- Spray bottles feature a built-in nozzle that dispenses a spray of cleaning solution onto the floor. This format is ideal for spot-cleaning and use in small areas. It’s also one of the best ways to clean hardwood floors and laminate since it prevents oversaturation.
- Squirt bottles allow you to distribute a small amount of cleaner directly onto the floor to be distributed with a mop. “There are distinct advantages to using spray or squirt bottle cleaners,” King says. “They allow for targeted application, preventing excessive moisture on the floor.”
- Refill containers come in large quantities that can be transferred into a spray bottle or the fluid cartridge of a spray mop. Concentrated cleaners are generally available in similar packaging.
Ingredients
Many of today’s laminate floor cleaners are manufactured with ingredients that are safe for both kids and pets. Still, most cleaners fall into one of two ingredient categories: chemical or natural.
Chemical floor cleaners contain strong ingredients that get the job done. However, organizations like the EWG claim that some of the chemicals commonly found in cleaning products can lead to asthma, birth defects, and can even be carcinogenic. It’s always prudent to wear gloves while working with potent cleaning agents, and a mask could also be beneficial. While there are risks associated with chemical cleaning products, they typically deliver better results.
Natural floor cleaners are free of potentially problematic chemicals and can be gentler on the skin and lungs. However, what they gain in possible health benefits, they may lose in the effectiveness department. Be wary of products simply labeled “green” or “natural,” as that’s not always a guarantee that they don’t contain harmful ingredients. Instead, familiarize yourself with the commonly used chemical agents you’d like to avoid and read labels carefully to know what’s in a product. Also, look for products that have the EPA Safer Choice label. This proves that the formula has been vetted to ensure that there is minimal risk to your health as well as the environment.
Versatility
Though some products are developed exclusively for laminate floors, others have various applications and are safe to use on multiple types of flooring. If you do have hardwood floors, it’s important to avoid using a product that could accidentally damage them, so when choosing a multisurface product, make sure it’s safe for hardwood as well. Using a product that is safe for all of your different floor types prevents the need to switch products in every room, saving time and possibly money, too. However, a single-surface product engineered to do the best job on laminate flooring may be more effective, saving you time and effort. It depends on a user’s particular flooring situation whether versatility is an important factor to consider.
FAQs
Choosing the best laminate floor cleaner can be a bit overwhelming with so many products available. If you still have some questions, consider these answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about cleaning laminate floors.
This is typically caused by using too much cleaning product, which leads to buildup.
It’s important to remove dust and dirt before applying a cleaning product. After cleaning, you can buff the entire surface with a soft cloth for maximum shine.
In order to deep-clean, apply a product formulated to be used on laminate floors, like the ones listed above. Use a damp (not wet) microfiber mop or special laminate floor mop to ensure the product is evenly spread out over the surface of the floor. Make sure not to use too much water as moisture can cause damage.
No, you should not steam-clean your laminate floors. Doing so could cause warping and permanent damage.
Meet the Tester
Katie Barton has over 10 years of experience in product writing, has tested dozens of cleaning products, and has authored hundreds of articles for major media outlets. Her cleaning and organizing advice has been featured on GOBankingRates, Realtor.com, Yahoo!, Cabin Life, and more. She takes an unbiased approach to product testing, using each product multiple times or for several days/weeks to determine efficacy. Her goal is to help readers decide which products are worth their hard-earned money and which fall flat.
Additional research provided by Savannah Sher.
