Vinegar, one of the popular cleaning solutions, can be used to clean laminate floors. Find out in this article, how to go about it and some of the best practices to follow.
Exploring the Possibilities
One of the reasons why you can use vinegar to clean laminate floors is because the solution is gentle or mild, especially when compared to other cleaners. As such, you can be sure that a vinegar application on the laminate floor might not cause damage if managed properly.
How To Clean Laminate Floor with Vinegar
Let us now look at some of the ways you can use the cleaner to remove stains from the surface of laminate flooring.
1. Use a Vinegar + Warm Water Solution
Mixing vinegar with warm water always does the “magic.” Here are the ingredients you need:
- White vinegar and;
- Filtered water
The need for filtered water is to be sure of the “purity.” You don’t want to have streaks or residues forming on the affected areas after cleaning. You can either go for bottled water or filtered water. Water from the tap must be avoided!
a. Vacuum the Laminate Floor
Make sure not to have any debris or dirt lurking around on the floor’s surface before cleaning. With a vacuum cleaner, get rid of all those items.
b. Mix the Solution
The ratio to use is 1:1. So, for a cup of white vinegar, you need a cup of water. Before then, you must have boiled the filtered/bottled water until it’s warm.
c. Apply the Solution to the Floor
There are two (2) ways through which you can use the solution. You can either pour the mixture into a spray bottle or a bowl/bucket. If you are using a spray bottle, spray directly to the areas where the stains are on the laminate floor. Otherwise, get a clean cloth and use that to get some of the mixtures from the bucket/bowl and apply it to the area.
Note: you may have to use a soft-bristled brush to scrub off tougher stains with the mixture.
d. Dry the Laminate Floor
Start drying the floor with a soft, clean cloth as soon as the cleaning/scrubbing process is completed.
2. Clean Laminate Floors with Vinegar and Baking Soda
Combining baking soda with vinegar can also be used, but it should be a second choice. The reason is that this type of laminate floor cleaner could become abrasive if used in excess.
Other precautions to take when combining vinegar with baking soda are:
- You must be careful to get the right measurement for the white vinegar and baking soda.
- Take care not to use the baking soda in excess. Doing so often causes abrasion and that potentially leads to striping off the laminate floor’s protective coat.
With that being said, here is how to use the baking soda and white vinegar solution for laminate floor cleaning:
a. Gather and Mix the Ingredients
At the minimum, you would need 2 tablespoons of white vinegar, half a cup of bottled or distilled water, and 1 2/3 cups of baking soda. You will also need half a cup of gentle dish soap. And a spray bottle.
Here’s how to mix these ingredients:
- Get a bowl and pour in the ingredients.
- Mix evenly until they dissolve.
- Pour the mixture into the spray bottle – and you are ready to get to work.
b. Vacuum the Floor
Ensure the laminate floor is debris-free by vacuuming the debris and dirt out of the surface.
c. Bust-out the Mop
Use a well-wrung mop to clean the floor with a mixture of vinegar and baking soda. You can occasionally add a drop of white vinegar into the cleaner to bring back the shine to the floor.
d. Wipe the Floor – Dry
Using a well-wrung cloth, wipe the surface of the laminate clean. Make sure not to leave any water behind and inspect closely for any signs of residues.
3. Use White Vinegar with Rubbing Alcohol
A combination of rubbing alcohol and white vinegar can help you get rid of stains on the laminate floor.
To get started, do these:
- Pour half a cup of distilled/filtered water into a spray bottle.
- Next, add half a cup of white vinegar and half a cup of rubbing alcohol into the same bottle.
- Cover and shake the bottle until the ingredients mix properly.
a. Vacuum and Spray the Floor
Use a vacuum cleaner to remove the debris, dirt, tiny gravels, and or loose stones on the floor. Next, spray or make a direct application of the mixture in the spray bottle to the affected area(s).
b. Wipe the Floor
The mixture mustn’t be allowed to “sit” on the surface for long. Therefore, use a microfiber cloth to wipe down the floor as soon as the mixture is applied to it.
c. Dry the Floor
Use another microfiber cloth to dry the floor. Get rid of any remaining moisture on the floor’s surface.
Tips on Using Vinegar for Cleaning Laminate Floors
If you will get rid of stains on the floor, then you need to follow some of the best guidelines. Besides using white vinegar, you also need to know the type of tools to use, the right amount of solution/cleaner to make, and how long it should be allowed to “sit” on the affected area.
a. Use “Laminate-Only” Products
Only the cleaners labeled for use with laminate floors should be used. For context, you must avoid oil-based cleaning products, because of the residues and streaks they leave behind. White vinegar can also leave residues, which is why it must be used sparingly – and wiped off the surface almost immediately.
b. Ensure the Measurement is Accurate
Making a mistake with the mixture can negatively impact the cleaning. Getting the right measurement is the goal and here are some of the best options:
- Use a 1:1 ratio, whereby you mix a cup of white vinegar with a cup or gallon of warm, distilled/filtered water.
- You can also make the mixture with a vinegar-to-hot-water ratio of 1:15.
- Consider exploring 4 liters of distilled water with 250 millimeters of white vinegar.
c. Don’t Use Too Much Water
Although the measurement is almost the same with the vinegar, water must not be excessive – not in the mixture and not on the floor. Ensure to wring the water out of the cloth or mop before applying it to the affected area.
Following the traditional method of mopping often causes the water to seam into the floor and with pools of water come fading of the laminate floor.
d. White Vinegar vs. Other Kinds of vinegar
White vinegar is not the only one out there, but it has a considerable advantage for cleaning laminate floors. You have other options like red wine vinegar and apple cider vinegar.
A good reason to settle for white vinegar is the distillation (purity), which reduces the chances of leaving residues or discoloring the floor.
e. Abrasive Tools are not welcome
Do not use abrasive tools, such as steel wool. They tend to leave scratches on the laminate floor after cleaning.
Instead, use non-abrasive cleaning tools, such as a soft-bristle dust mop to clear the floor of any debris before cleaning.
FAQs
1. Should I Use Diluted or Undiluted Vinegar for My Laminate Floor?
Diluted or distilled white vinegar is the best because it is mild and brings out the shine in laminate floors.
2. Is Vinegar Good for Laminate Floors?
White vinegar is one of the best cleaning agents for laminate floors. The rule of thumb is not to apply it to the floor, without diluting. Also, make sure to wipe it off as soon as possible to prevent the acidic content from negatively reacting on the floor.
3. Is White Vinegar and Baking Soda Recommended?
Yes, you can combine white vinegar with baking soda, but the soda must be minimal to prevent abrasion of the laminate floor.
Conclusion
Vinegar is a viable cleaning agent/solution for getting stains out of the laminate floor. Moderate use and wiping it off the affected area after an application is important too.
