How to Clean Laminate Floors to Keep Them Looking Like New

Luxury laminate is fast becoming a prime go-to flooring choice thanks to its low maintenance and newly improved visuals. Modern printing and texturing technologies produce laminate floors that look and feel like wood or stone but are waterproof and extra easy to clean. That means less time spent maintaining your floors and more time living on them worry-free! Keeping your CALI Laminate floors — whether you've chosen the extra-large matte planks of Mavericks, the realistic look of Pacifica laminate wood floors, or the elegant stone visuals of Shorebreak — looking pristine is simpler than you might think. All of our collections are FloorScore and NALFA certified and designed to be waterproof, pet-friendly, and comfortable underfoot, ensuring they stay beautiful with minimal effort. Cleaning laminate floors is relatively simple; follow this guide to maintain their appearance for years to come.

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5 Easy, General Tips for How to Clean Laminate Flooring

Maintaining your laminate flooring starts with gentle and consistent care. Here’s how you can keep your CALI Laminate floors—whether it’s Mavericks, Pacifica, or Shorebreak—looking as good as new for years to come.

1. Regular Cleaning: Sweep or vacuum your floors regularly using a soft brush attachment. This removes loose dirt, sand, and debris that could scratch the floor's surface.

2. Stay on Spill Patrol: Even though your laminate floors are waterproof, it’s still important to clean spills up quickly with a soft cloth. You can use a microfiber cloth or microfiber mop as well. Avoid allowing liquids to sit on the floor surface for too long as they can seep into seams and edges, potentially causing damage to your subfloor.

3. Mopping: Dry mop or use a damp mop with a cleaner specifically approved for laminate flooring. Never flood-mop or wet-mop, as standing water may cause damage. Tip: The moisture from the dampened mop should be wiped up or evaporate off the floor quickly.

4. Preventative Measures: Place doormats at entryways to reduce the amount of dirt and grit tracked onto the floors. You can also use area rugs in high-traffic spaces to further protect your laminate flooring.

5. Spot Cleaning: For more stubborn spots or stains, apply a small amount of laminate-approved cleaner directly to a cloth and gently rub the affected area until the stain lifts. We especially like Bona PRO Stone Tile & Laminate Floor Cleaner. Avoid using abrasive pads or scrubbers as these can scratch the floor's finish.

How Do I Make My Laminate Floors Clean and Shiny?

Let us start by saying that CALI Laminate floors are all designed to have a matte (non-shiny) wear layer on their surface which is there to both protect your planks and to give them a more natural, organic, look. We wanted to design floors that would look authentic and not plasticky. That being said, if you want to keep your laminate floors clean and prefer a shinier look, you can follow these simple steps.

1. Regularly use a dry mop or damp mop with a gentle cleaner like Bona PRO Stone Tile & Laminate Floor Cleaner.

2. Immediately clean up spills with a dry cloth to prevent water spots.

3. For an extra shine, use a laminate-specific floor polish after cleaning to enhance the finish and protect the surface.

What Should You Not Clean Laminate Floors With?

Laminate floors require special care to maintain their beauty and integrity over time. To protect your investment, it's crucial to steer clear of cleaning methods and products that could potentially damage your floors. Here’s what to avoid to keep your laminate flooring in top condition:

​• Moisture Control: Never use steam cleaners or wet mops. Even though planks and tiles are waterproof, excessive standing moisture can damage or cloud your laminate floors.

​• Avoid Harsh Chemicals: Steer clear of abrasive tools and harsh chemicals like bleach or ammonia-based cleaners, which can strip the protective coating and lead to discoloration.

​• Pick the Right Products: Avoid wax-based products and oil soaps as they can dull and damage the flooring, leaving a residue that can be tough to remove.

Can Vinegar Clean Laminate Floors?

While vinegar is a popular DIY cleaning solution, it's not recommended for laminate floors. Its acidic nature can dull the laminate's finish over time. Instead, opt for a pH-neutral cleaner specifically designed for laminate flooring to ensure it remains vibrant and undamaged. Again, Bona PRO Stone Tile & Laminate Floor Cleaner is one we recommend.

Why Does My Laminate Floor Look Dull?

Dullness in laminate floors can often result from residue left by improper cleaning products or methods. To avoid this:

​• Use only cleaners specifically designed for laminate flooring.

​• If a cleaner requires it, ensure you wipe it up thoroughly to ensure no product buildup remains.

​• Regularly change cleaning pads to avoid redepositing dirt onto the floor.

• Try to dry mop more regularly to avoid a build-up of dirt.

How to Clean Laminate Wood Flooring

With a wood-look laminate plank, the goal is to keep it looking like natural wood. Planks in CALI’s wood-look laminate collections, Mavericks and Pacifica, feature a matte finish which is extra authentic and designed to keep floors from looking like plastic. Here are some tips on how to clean laminate wood floors effectively:

1. Sweep or vacuum regularly to remove surface debris.

2. Use a dry mop or slightly damp mop with a laminate floor cleaner to tackle dirt without leaving excess moisture.

3. Consider using a cleaner specifically for wood-look laminate to enhance the pattern and color.

Floor Shopping Tip: Want to see what CALI laminate floors would actually look like in your home? Upload pictures of your space and test out any style using our easy Floor Visualizer Tool!

How To Clean Laminate Floors Without Leaving a Film

Keeping your laminate floors spotless and streak-free is easy with the right approach. To clean laminate floors without leaving a film, start with a high-quality no-rinse cleaner designed specifically for laminate. Apply the cleaner sparingly with a soft cloth or mop in gentle, even strokes. Only spray or apply the cleaner in a small section of the floor and mop or wipe up as you go with a clean microfiber cloth before moving onto the next section of flooring. This method will ensure that none of the product dries on the floor and leaves a film or cloudy appearance before being wiped up with your cloth or mop.

How To Clean Very Dirty Laminate Floors

For laminate floors that have accumulated an extra amount of dirt and grime, more intensive cleaning might be necessary. Start by sweeping or vacuuming (without the beater bar feature) to remove loose debris. Then, damp mop the floor using a combination of water and a gentle cleaner formulated for laminate flooring. Be sure to clean and then dry small sections as you go to avoid leaving a residue or standing moisture. If you encounter stubborn stains, opt for a specialized cleaner designed for severe dirt on laminate floors, and follow the application instructions carefully to avoid damage.