L. Daniela Alvarez has been writing about plant care, home organization, cleaning, lifestyle, and culture since 2018. With more than 70 houseplants, she has become an expert on plant care and home organization and decor. Highlights: * 10 years of experience as a freelance writer and editor * Contributor to national publications, including The Kitchn, INSIDER, and Apartment Therapy * Contributor to "The Black Friend: On Being a Better White Person" by Frederick Joseph

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Despite its reputation as the lesser alternative to hardwood, laminate flooring is the more durable and affordable option. Like hardwood floors, laminate floors require their own care and maintenance, so we sought out an array of cleaning products that make and keep your floors immaculate. 

To find the best cleaners for laminate floors, we spent hours researching various options and top-rated products while considering factors such as type, use, and formula. We also consulted expert Sarah Jameson, Marketing Director of Green Building Elements, for tips on what to look for when buying laminate floor cleaners and how to use them properly. 

 Our top pick is the Bona Hard-Surface Floor Cleaner for its impressive cleaning power, versatility, and safe formula. 

 Here are the eight best cleaners for laminate floors, along with tips on selecting a cleaner so your laminate floors stay clean, shiny, and spotless.

Who it's for: People who want an effective and eco-friendly spray cleaner for a variety of hard floor types.

Who it isn't for: People who want a cleaner that can also be used on hardwood.

Bona Hard-Surface Floor Cleaner is our top choice as the best overall cleaner for laminate floors for their newly improved formula, affordability, quick-drying time, and versatility. We also love that this cleaner is EPA Safer Choice-certified and comes in two scent options: lemon mint and unscented. Because this water-based formula is residue-free, streak-free, and pH neutral, it thoroughly yet gently cleans laminate floors by removing dust, dirt, and grime while protecting your floor’s finish and preventing discoloration.

This customer favorite and expert-approved cleaner is free of parabens, ammonia, phosphates, and phthalates and is best suited for several types of flooring including laminate, stone, tile, vinyl, and linoleum. For those looking for a quick way to clean, this cleaner is ready to use (just spray and mop) and does not require a bucket or additional rinsing. 

Price at time of publish: $10

Who it's for: People who want an effective laminate floor cleaner with plant-based ingredients.

Who it isn't for: People who prefer a chemical cleaner. 

AspenClean Natural Floor Cleaner is a fragrance-free and EWG verified cleaner with plant-based ingredients, which earned it its spot as the best eco-friendly cleaner. This natural floor cleaner removes dirt, grease, and scuff marks on laminate, hardwood, and ceramic floors. It’s made with natural and environmentally-safe ingredients, including sustainably-derived coco glucoside, decyl glucoside, and citric acid. Spray it on a four-by-four area, wipe with a microfiber mop, and your laminate floors are as good as new.

Aside from the spray format, this cleaner also comes as a concentrate that can make up to 18 bottles. For those who want a well-rounded cleaning arsenal, the floor cleaning kit includes both products plus a microfiber mop pad. 

Price at time of publish: $12

Who it's for: People who want a versatile cleaner for laminate and hardwood floors.

Who it isn't for: People who want a cleaner with a fragrance-free or plant-based formula. 

While certain types of delicate flooring require specific formulations, Zep’s Hardwood and Laminate Floor Cleaner is the best choice for laminate and hardwood floors (and several other surfaces like acrylic and varnish). This powerful, ready-to-use spray removes scuff marks, stains, dirt, grime, and dust. It also has a quick drying time, restores shine, does not require rinsing, and leaves a fresh yet subtle scent.

For those who need to clean their laminate and hardwood floors on a regular basis, this cleaner comes in a refillable gallon that you can dilute yourself and use without a spray bottle. While the label recommends using a dry cloth or towel with this cleaner, you can also use a microfiber cloth or disposable dry-sweeping cloth. 

Price at time of publish: $6

With concentrates, you can tailor the strength of your laminate floor cleaner while reducing product waste. For those who prefer concentrated cleaners, we recommend the Branch Basics Concentrate for its natural and fragrance-free formula. We love that it has an A rating from the EWG and is Leaping Bunny Certified. To use, add water along with the concentrate to a spray bottle. You can use this spray on various surfaces throughout your home, including laminate floors. 

With this concentrate, you might be able to clean every part of your home with just one product. Follow their helpful user guide for tips on proper dilution for different surfaces.

Price at time of publish: $55

Who it's for: People who want to restore the shine on their laminate floors.

Who it isn't for: People who prefer a matte finish on their laminate floors. 

Dull laminate floors can make a room, even an entire house, feel and look dingy and drab. To restore or add shine to your laminate floors, opt for the Rejuvenate All Floors Cleaner. This streak-free and residue-free cleaner is safe for all floors and has a pH-balanced formula to cut through dirt and grime and maintain your laminate floor’s natural finish with extra shine and luster. 

Spray this cleaner thoroughly and wipe with a dry microfiber cloth, or pair it with a spray mop. This highly reviewed cleaner is also the most budget-friendly on our list, making it ideal for those looking for an effective laminate floor cleaner at a reasonable price. 

Price at time of publish: $7

Who it's for: People with pets and those who want to get rid of tough stains on laminate floors.

Who it isn't for: People who prefer a plant-based cleaner. 

Pet stains are notoriously challenging to clean from nearly all surfaces, which is why we recommend Nature’s Miracle Hard Floor Cleaner for deep cleaning laminate floors. This cleaner removes deep-set stains and odors caused by urine, fecal matter, grease, oil, fats, and other organic substrates. Its bio-enzymatic formula thoroughly cleans while protecting several types of floors including laminate, sealed wood, linoleum, vinyl, concrete, and ceramic tile. 

This cleaner has a dual-action formula, working as an Oxy cleaner to clean and deodorize while disinfecting surfaces by killing viruses and bacteria. For best results, clean or wipe the stain or residue on your laminate floors, spray thoroughly, wipe with a dry cloth, and repeat if necessary.  

Price at time of publish: $14

Who it's for: People who want a scented floor cleaner concentrate.

Who it isn't for: People who prefer a ready-to-use spray cleaner. 

With natural scents like orange and rosemary, lavender blossom and thyme, and lemon and eucalyptus, Grove Co. Floor Cleaner Concentrate is the best scented cleaner for laminate floors. Aside from their invigorating scent options, this concentrate is able to remove dirt and everyday stains like coffee and crayon, leaving your floors residue and streak-free. These small but mighty concentrates come in a pack of two that can make two 16-ounce bottles for months of usage. 

In addition to being a USDA-certified Biobased Product, this cleaner is also cruelty-free and packaged in recyclable glass and 100 percent recycled paper, or you can use it in a reusable glass bottle. This concentrate is safe to use on laminate, tile, and finished hardwood floors—just spray and mop with a microfiber cloth. For those with fragrance sensitivities, this floor cleaner also comes in a free and clear scent-free formula.

Price at time of publish: $7

Who it's for: People who want an affordable mop to clean their laminate floors. 

Who it isn't for: People who would rather have a spray mop or steam mop.

There are plenty of effective mops, machines, and vacuums to clean laminate floors, but the Mr. Siga Professional Microfiber Mop is our favorite. This durable and affordable mop features a stainless steel adjustable handle for a comfortable grip and a 360-degree maneuverable swivel. It also comes with three reusable and dual-sided microfiber mop pads and a dirt removal scrubber for clearing debris off the mop pad or gently scrubbing tough stains and grime from the floor. 

This highly reviewed microfiber mop is effective and safe on laminate, hardwood, marble, tile, and vinyl. The blue microfiber side of the mop pads attracts fine dust and hair while absorbing moisture, while the beige side works for waxing. Pair it with your favorite laminate floor cleaner for a spotless shine and thorough cleaning. 

Price at time of publish: $29

Our top pick for the best overall laminate floor cleaner is Bona Hard-Surface Floor Cleaner for its expert approval, quick drying time, and impressive cleaning power. For those who prefer an effective cleaner with plant-based and eco-friendly ingredients, we recommend AspenClean Natural Floor Cleaner.

Most laminate floor cleaners come in a liquid concentrate or spray form. Cleaning machines and tools can include mops, vacuums, and microfiber mops/cloths. Jameson recommends using your favorite cleaner, a vinegar solution, and a microfiber cloth or pad to keep your laminate floors clean and dry.

Laminate floors can be simple to clean and maintain. However, there is a golden rule for laminate floor maintenance: Avoid too much water or moisture. When using your laminate floor cleaner, avoid spraying or applying too much, or wipe it dry immediately after if you use a little more. 

“It's important to remember that laminated flooring should not be soaked or become too wet to avoid warping,” says Jameson. If anything, damp microfiber mops are the best way to go.”

Many hard floor cleaners are made with similar ingredients and are safe to use on various floor types. Some may have more chemical components while others, especially eco-friendly options, are plant-based and usually fragrance-free.

Jameson suggests avoiding oil-based cleaning products that can leave streaks, residue, and damage on your floor. She also recommends avoiding putting any concentrated solution directly on the laminate floor and instead putting it on your microfiber mop or diluting beforehand in a spray bottle.

When it comes to keeping laminate floors clean and shining, Jameson trusts one cleaning tool—a microfiber cloth. When paired with your favorite cleaner or DIY cleaning vinegar solution, a microfiber cloth can gently yet efficiently keep your laminate floors in excellent condition.

“A microfiber cloth is your laminate floors' best friend,” says Jameson. “It is the safest and the best cleaning tool with a few additions to the cleaning process as well as maintaining the cleanliness of your floor.”

Although steam mops can be beneficial to certain types of flooring like concrete and linoleum, Jameson says you’re better off choosing a different cleaning machine to protect your laminate floors. 

“A general rule of thumb is to ensure your laminate flooring avoids too much water or too much heat because they ultimately cause warping or swelling,” says Jameson. “Even if there are some steam cleaners that are able to accommodate laminated flooring with its lowest setting, it's best to stay away from it and opt for a microfiber mop instead.”

While there are a handful of solutions to fixing scratches on laminate floors, including wax pencils or markers and repair sprays, Jameson says preventive measures are key in protecting laminate floors. If the scratches are too deep for a minor fix, she recommends reaching out to a professional or contacting your floor’s manufacturer for tips. 

“It's always more worthwhile to take preventive measures so scratches don't occur in the first place,” says Jameson. “The use of furniture protection pads could be a great start, as well as using doormats and taking your shoes off so the dirt and debris are left outside instead of scattering around the premises, which can lead to minor scratches.”

This article was written by L. Daniela Alvarez, contributing writer for Real Simple with nearly three years of experience writing about lifestyle content and product reviews. To compile this list, she spent hours researching laminate floor cleaners. She also received tips on how to shop for them from Sarah Jameson, Marketing Director of Green Building Elements.

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