Laminate floors need to be taken care of in the best way possible. By using the recommended products, you are sure of keeping the shine and reducing the risks of damaging the floor. But can Pine Sol be used when cleaning the floor? Find out in this article.
What is Pine Sol?
It is one of the several disinfectants and cleaning products manufactured by Clorox. It is now one of the most-used products for cleaning laminate floors.
By using it in the right quantity and following the instructions on the label, you would be able to clean and disinfect your laminate flooring with Pine Sol.
Recommended Tools for Cleaning Laminate Floors with Pine Sol
The key to getting it right with cleaning your laminate flooring is choosing the right cleaning product. Pine-Sol is a broad term encompassing the different products you can use. If we are to recommend, we would suggest the Pine-Sol Multi-Surface Cleaner, which does a great job of keeping the floor clean.
If you are bothered about the floor getting smelly, use any of the Pine-Sol Multi-Surface Cleaners with scents – Tropical Flowers, Lemon Fresh, Sparkling Wave, and Lavender Clean.
You will also need to mop the floor. You can choose to use the regular mop or go for the Pine-Sol microfiber mop that provides a universal cleaning solution for the floor.
How to Clean Laminate Floors with Pine Sol
With the tools readied, here are the steps to take when cleaning a laminate floor with Pine Sol.
1. Sweep and Vacuum the Floor
The closest you can get is a near-clean floor and sweeping it does a lot of good in this regard. Thus, your first step is to sweep with a soft broom to get rid of the small particles on the surface. This way, you are sure of removing the particles that could cause streaks when mopping.
To be sure the floor is clean, get a vacuum cleaner and get rid of the remaining particles. By using the right setting, you will get better suction to remove surface debris, dirt, and dust faster.
2. Mix the Pine Sol
Since we are using the Pine-Sol Multi-Surface Cleaner, we are sure of getting back the shine after mopping.
However, to reduce any risk of residues, we want to dilute the cleaner. Use a gallon of warm water to mix ¼ of the cleaner. You can pour the two into a bucket and stir to combine.
That is one way to prepare the solution. However, if you are using a spray bottle, the measurement will be different. In this case, you need a mixture of 1/16 cup of the Pine-Sol Multi-Surface Cleaner and fill the bottle to the brim with warm water.
3. Mop the Floor with the Solution
If you are mopping, dip the microfiber mop into the bucket, and wring out excess water from it so it is just damp. Then, apply it to the floor and wipe across a small section of the floor for some time before returning the mop to the floor for another dip. Repeat the process until you have covered the entire area of the laminate floor.
However, if you are using a spray bottle, you would need just the solution inside it and a microfiber mop. To begin, apply a mist of the solution from the spray bottle on the floor and wipe with the mop. Make sure the mist is applied along the planks and run the mop along it.
4. Rinse the Laminate Floor
Even though you diluted the cleaner, it might still leave some residues, especially if you allowed the liquid to pool on the floor. Hence, rinsing the floor becomes a necessity.
Here is how to do that:
- Always rinse the microfiber mop when it gets overly dirty while mopping.
- Once you’re done with cleaning, get a clean bucket of warm water and rinse the mop.
- Wring out excess water from the mop and use it to go over the laminate floor’s surface again.
You will do something similar with the spray bottle option, the same way you did when applying the Pine Sol solution. Rinse the mop you used initially, get rid of the remaining liquid in the bottle, rinse it, and fill it with warm water. Spray in tiny bits on the floor and use the mop to gather the moisture away.
5. Allow the Floor to Dry
You have done your part of the job. Now, let mother nature finish up. Once you are done rinsing the floor and certain no residues can be spotted, allow the floor to dry.
While you can open up the windows and allow natural air to do its work, there are a couple of other options worth exploring:
- Get a microfiber cloth and wipe up/dab at any sitting water.
- Turn on the fan and set it towards the direction of the floor to fasten the drying.
Precautions to take when Cleaning Laminate Floors with Pine Sol
The choice of the right cleaning tools, such as a damp towel if you intend to hand-mop or a microfiber mop is important. In addition, you can’t go wrong with choosing a spray bottle for direct application of the solution.
However, these extra precautions are important:
a. Sweep before Mopping
Sweeping and vacuuming the laminate floor helps you get rid of dust, dirt, and debris that could cause streaks on the floor when being mopped. This should be done first before preparing the mixture.
b. Getting the Measurement Rightly is Important
You also need an accurate measurement of the mixture. You need to use ¼ of the Pine-Sol Multi-Surface Cleaner mixed with a gallon of warm water if you are mopping. If you are applying directly, use 1/16 of the cleaner and fill the spray bottle with warm water.
c. Rinse the Floor
The floor shouldn’t be allowed to “sit” after mopping or spraying. Instead, clean it with warm water, as this helps to remove any residues and bring out the shine faster.
d. Do not Leave Liquid Behind
Whether it is a pool of water or a little streak of water from the sides, don’t allow any to remain on the floor. Always mop these and open up the windows or turn on the fan to dry the floor.
Why Pine Sol Makes a Great Cleaning Agent for Laminate Floors
Not all cleaning products can bring back the shine, get rid of stains, and disinfect laminate flooring. But you can rely on the Pine-Sol Multi-Surface Cleaner to do that because of these reasons:
a. Multipurpose Cleaning Solution
As a multipurpose cleaner, it can be used on any surface, including laminate floors. This saves you money on buying additional cleaners to clean the floor.
The multi-surface and multipurpose design also play a role in further reducing the chances of residues forming on the floor. You know that you are using only one cleaner and it would do a good job of cleaning the floor.
b. Deodorizing Properties
Some cleaning products leave behind a “bad smell,” which forces you to get an additional cleaner. This is not the case with Pine Sol, which allows you to clean the floor and have a good scent lurking behind when the job is done.
If you don’t like the scent of the Pine-Sol Multi-Surface Cleaner, you can always go for any of the variants – Lavender Clean, Tropical Flowers, Sparkling Wave, and Lemon Fresh.
c. Excellent Stain Tackler
You don’t need to get an additional product to clean your laminate floor, because Pine Sol has chemicals capable of “breaking down” the stains. This way, all you have to do is mop, pick up the stains in the process, and disinfect the surface at the same time.
FAQs
1. Do You Have to Rinse Pine Sol off Floors?
Yes, you need to rinse the floor with clean water and use a clean mop for this purpose. This is done to ensure no residues and or dirt are left behind as you mopped with the cleaner.
2. How Often Should You Clean Laminate Floors with Pine Sol?
Sweeping and vacuuming are almost a daily routine if you are using a laminate floor. However, you need to clean the floor with Pine Sol solution if you notice that grime and dust build up faster. Say, once or twice a week is okay if the floor is in a high-traffic part of the home.
3. How am I Sure the Cleaner Wouldn’t Damage My Floor?
By diluting the Pine Sol cleaner with a gallon of warm water, you will reduce the chances of it damaging the floor. However, to be on the safe side, apply the cleaner with a mop on a smaller section of the floor to see the reaction before using it on the larger areas.
4. What not to Use to Clean Laminate Floors
When cleaning a laminate floor, you must avoid using harsh cleaning products and cleaning tools that are not bristle-free.
Should I Use Pine Sol to Clean Laminate Floors?
The verdict is that you can use the Pine-Sol Multi-Surface Cleaner to clean your laminate floor and restore its shine. Follow the instructions in this guide and you are good to go.