October 13, 2020
DIY Laminate Floor Cleaner
One of the biggest complaints I hear about laminate floor cleaners is that commercial cleaners leave behind a sticky residue that attracts dirt and dust. My all time favorite laminate floor cleaner is a simple DIY cleaner using every day ingredients. Try out this recipe for an effective, economical solution to cleaning your laminate floors.
Here’s why this recipe works:
The vinegar cleans and the rubbing alcohol aids in the drying and adds a sanitizing component. The combination is great for getting those floors perfectly clean. Laminate and water are not a good combination so you’ll want to use this as a spray format in a bottle or in a refillable mop in lieu of a mop and bucket. Always make sure that you aren’t leaving any standing water on your floors as you’re washing them.
DIY Laminate Floor Cleaner Recipe:
To make about 16 ounces or enough to fit in a spray bottle us this recipe. (You can grab both spray bottles and essential oils in my shop!)
- 5 ounces WHITE VINEGAR
- 5 ounces RUBBING ALCOHOL
- 5 ounces water (use distilled or boiled and cooled water if you are wanting to store this longer than one week)
- optional: 3-5 drops ESSENTIAL OILS (lemon or orange and peppermint is a great combination for this recipe)
Combine the ingredients and pour into a spray bottle or spray mop and use weekly or more if necessary.
Have hardwood floors? Try these methods instead….
Don’t use this recipe – the high ratios of rubbing alcohol and vinegar aren’t compatible with your floors.
AnaM Says
I heard vinegar is not good for laminate floors, because it takes off the laminate protection layer…
What do you think about that?
Thank you,
Becky Says
Post authorI haven’t ever heard that or experienced that – I’ve heard of issues with vinegar on hardwood floors, but not laminate.
Ella Lain Says
I have used vinegar & water on my laminate flooring for 15 years. They are still shiny to a certain degree, but of course they’ve been walked on for many years. I am very happy with the vinegar solution. It’s cheap & gets the job done.
Griselda Says
I was previously using vinegar also then heard this and stopped. Nothing else has done as good a job. I’m excited to try out this recipe.
Stacey Says
What recipe do you recommend to clean tile floors? I have laminate in all living areas and tile in the kitchen/bathrooms (not granite/stone but ceramic). I want something that will disinfect and cut the grease…..I make your granite and glass cleaners all the time!!
Becky Says
Post authorCheck out this post:
http://www.cleanmama.net/2016/06/dirty-cleaning-tile-grout.html
Kate Says
Is there a reason to use a glass bottle rather than a cheaper plastic bottle? Is it something to do with how the vinegar reacts with the plastic? Could you use a plastic bottle and just not store the mixture in it?
Becky Says
Post authorEssential oils can break down plastic – if you’re using the mixture quickly you can most definitely use plastic.
Monica Says
what are the tools you use for wood floor cleaning? Rubbermaid mop? Towels?
Becky Says
Post authorCheck out this post:
http://www.cleanmama.net/2015/02/the-best-way-to-clean-and-care-for-hard-surface-floors.html
Jen Says
Hi,
I was wondering if you could share which oils are safe to use around dogs and cats in cleaning supplies?
I’ve tried looking it up, but all the information I can find is about applying oils directly to pets or use in aromatherapy, when all I’d be using them for would be your diy cleaning recipes (which I can’t wait to try by the way!!)
I just don’t want to risk making any of my cats or dogs ill :/
Becky Says
Post authorThe oils that I suggest are safe to use around pets – just make sure that they are diluted properly and that the pets don’t ingest/drink the cleaners. Here are some trusted favorites:
lemon
orange
lavender
peppermint
eucalyptus
tea tree/melaleuca
Jackie Turbot Says
Cats should not be around ANY scented oils. Treat them like birds in this respect!
b r Says
Post authorMy vet uses essential oils for treating cats and dogs – there are some very strict guidelines but heavily diluted (as is in this recipe) and diffused tend to be considered okay. Citrus is the main one to steer clear of for cats. If you have any concerns, don’t use them or consult your veterinarian 🙂
joselle Says
Can i use alcohol instead of vinegar?
Becky Says
Post authorYou want to use both 🙂
jennifer Says
This left streaks on my laminate floors 🙁
Becky Says
Post authorIt should be streak free – make sure you’re rinsing the mop head multiple times while you’re washing the floors. There could also be residual soap from other cleaners that the solution is picking up making it appear streaky. Try it a couple times 🙂
Deanna Wahlert Says
I’ve used this for almost a month now, a couple times a week. It’s still leaving streaks. What am I doing wrong??
b r Says
Post authorIt might be hard water that’s making the streaks – try using distilled water and see if that takes care of the streaks.
Tammy Shorna Says
Is there a way to use this recipe to refill a Swifter Wetjet?
Becky Says
Post authorI don’t recommend refilling the Swiffer WetJet.
Marie Says
I just purchased a Rubbermaid Reveal mop. It’s basically a spray mop like the Swiffer one, except that you fill it with your own solution and it comes with a washable microfiber pad. I purchased extra ones for $6/ea. so I can rotate as I throw them in the wash. The Reveal mop itself is $22, so a huge bargain since you don’t need to keep buying a special solution or disposable pads! I love my new mop and it doesn’t leave any streaks 😀
Rachel Says
Would witch hazel give the same results as rubbing alcohol in this mix? I love using DIY cleaners over commercial ones, but with a baby who’s all over the floor I’m a bit uncomfortable using rubbing alcohol.
Becky Says
Post authorNo – they’re different.
Jan Says
I have vinyl plank floors that look like wood. Is this a safe cleaner for my floors?
Becky Says
Post authorYes!
Adriana Says
Can I use real lemon instead of essential oils.
Becky Says
Post authorThat might leave it a bit sticky…
Patty Says
What type of mop do you recommend using?
b r Says
Post authorMy favorites are here under Thursday!
https://www.cleanmama.net/cleaning-favs
Jeneé Sotka Says
Just wondering if you would put this floor cleaning solution in the steam mop you show at the above link? Or would you only use it with a spray bottle/spray mop??
b r Says
Post authorA steam mop should never have anything but water in it – use a spray bottle instead 🙂
LV Says
Do you still lightly wet your mop head when you use this cleaner?
Pamela Barnes Says
The solution seems to leave our laminate floor (Pergo) dull. Do you suggest adding any other oils like olive oil or almond oil to the solution?
b r Says
Post authorHi Pamela – I’m guessing that the dullness is from hard water – try using distilled water and see what happens 🙂
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Anne Says
Does it matter which strength of rubbing alcohol to use, for example 70% vs. 91%?
b r Says
Post authorI use 70% – the 91% will be a little stronger.
Babs Brizen Says
I used a steam cleaner on my laminate and it stripped it’s shine. I tried waxing the floor. Now I have a very dirty looking floor that I have tried several items on without success. I hope this solution will work
Julie Says
Will this work on linoleum floors?
b r Says
Post authorYes!
Diane Says
Is this safe for dogs without the oils, just the vinegar, water and alcohol?
b r Says
Post authorYes!
CW Says
Will this remove yellow staining?
b r Says
Post authorIt might but not knowing what caused the staining I can’t tell you for sure.
Jessica Says
We have bamboo flooring (looks similar to laminate) is this safe to use with bamboo?
Thanks!
b r Says
Post authorI wouldn’t because of the rubbing alcohol.
Jessica Says
Is this solution safe for a crawling babies??
b r Says
Post authorYes!
Kelsey Says
Just used the laminate cleaner recipe listed above. I was happy to see it cleaned the floors and didn’t leave streaks!! I followed the recipe exactly, but it’s leaving a funny pickle-like smell in the house. Ick! I assume it’s because of the vinegar. Any recommendations??
b r Says
Post authorDid you put any essential oils in? A little lemon or orange will help cut that pickle smell 🙂
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OCD Says
We used a Mannington laminate flooring in two renovated homes, one was a very heavy traffic room. It NEVER dulled, faded, warped, or looked anything different than the day it was put down.
I have seen “Quickstep” used on an extremely busy hardware store floor to demonstrate the product. It was tread on with every kind of foot traffic imaginable. It never lost it NEVER dulled, faded,warped, or looked anything different than new.
We recently bought a brand new home from a reputable area builder with an upgraded laminate floor that was not either of the two mentioned above. After only one year of minimal use it is losing its shine.
As a result of these observations I am of the opinion that better products – better results. We get what we pay for.
I never used anything except warm water on a damp microfiber cloth to clean my laminate floors. Clean them often.
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Cleo Says
I use this with a diy fabric mop head instead of the disposable pads that Swiffer sells. Does anyone else have problems getting the pads clean? I’m wondering if the rubbing alcohol is making the dirt stick to the fabric because I have to soak and scour to get it clean.
b r Says
Post authorHi Cleo – It wouldn’t be the rubbing alcohol, I would guess that it’s the fabric that the mop head is made from is just staining. If it’s clean, and it works, I wouldn’t worry about it 🙂
Amanda Says
I decided to use the solution without essential oils, and store the remainder in a plastic spray bottle. Is it safe for the vinegar, alcohol and distilled water to remain at room temperature until I’m ready to use it again?
b r Says
Post authorYes!
Sharon Says
Hi, just to add to this, if i may…
Alcohol evaporates almost instantly after spraying, and vinegar disinfects, and its the number one cleaner for incubators in NICU’s in hospitals.
Doreen Says
Should the mop head by slightly damp when using this spray?
b r Says
Post authorYes 🙂
Jessica Says
Do you think this would be good forcleaning carpet? As in potty training? Hehe
Jamie King Says
Can your use distilled white vinegar ?
Clean Mama Says
Post authoryep!
Mary Says
Hi! Probably a silly question, but can I spray this and then go over it with a steam mop filled with plain water and on the lowest setting? Thank you!
Clean Mama Says
Post authorNot silly at all – that should work!
Megan Says
When you say “lemon or orange AND peppermint” are you saying to mix one of the citrus’ oils with the peppermint?
Clean Mama Says
Post authorYes, lemon + peppermint OR orange + peppermint 🙂
Lillian Says
Can you use apple cider vinegar instead of white vinegar for this rrecipe to clean my laminate floors in my kitchen?
Clean Mama Says
Post authorNo, it’ll leave a sticky residue.
Ali Says
Is there any other formula for cleaning laminate floors without the vinegar??? Everyone in the house hates the smell ????
Thanks!
Sue Davies Says
I had laminate flooring installed during a kitchen-living room-dining room remodel about 5 years ago. Big mistake I should have popped for the pricier hard wood. While it’s holding up okay, cleaning it is the challenge. I’ve tried several different commercial floor cleaners ALL left a nasty film, floors never looked clean. I’m so glad I found your site! This recipe for cleaner is so easy and I can honestly say the floor hasn’t looked this good since installation, I only had peppermint essential oil, will pick up some orange to add to it for next time. Looks so good can’t wait to clean it again!!!! Thanks, Sue
Clean Mama Says
Post authorHooray!
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Yta Says
Hello, Clean Mama! Do you know of a good place to buy bulk rubbing alcohol?
Clean Mama Says
Post authorCostco!