“Products specifically made for your floor type can easily remove all the dirt and grime without leaving any scratches or marks,” she says. “This will help you maintain your laminate floors in good shape and can prolong the life of your flooring.” To help you find the best ones, we tested and researched dozens of laminate floor cleaners, evaluating them on effectiveness, scent, and ease of use. Our best overall pick is the Better Life Naturally Dirt-Destroying Floor Cleaner, an eco-friendly choice that’s easy to use, delivers powerful performance, and smells great. Here are the best laminate floor cleaners to make your surfaces sparkle. If you want to get the job done quickly and effectively, Better Life’s Naturally Dirt-Destroying Floor Cleaner is the way to go. We love this high-quality but affordable floor cleaner that delivers a streak-free clean—tackling tough stuff like grease and grime—on all sealed floors, including laminate, tile, ceramic, and even hardwood. Despite there being no spray applicator, there’s no dilution required, making application very easy. You simply point, squirt, and mop to reveal cleaner floors. Despite its obvious cleaning power, this cleaner is made with an eco-friendly, plant-based formula that’s safe to use in areas highly trafficked by kids and pets. The cleaning solution doesn’t contain any harsh chemicals—just essential oils—which means the scent skews fresh and mild rather than overpoweringly “clean,” too. Our product tester loved the Better Life floor cleaner, noting that the scent reminded her of a day at the spa. Plus, it delivered quick results. “Within minutes of cleaning one portion of the floor, the surface was dry as we began cleaning another,” she said. “It left a smooth finish without any tackiness, too, which was a pleasant surprise as many solutions leave the floor slightly sticky after use.” Price at time of publish: $17 Type: Liquid | Dimensions: 13 x 13 x 12.5 inches | Weight: 2 pounds | Amount: 128 fluid ounces | Scent: Citrus mint But those who do use this cleaner will be impressed by how well it tackles, well, just about everything under the sun, including set-in stains. It also smells nice, thanks to a light and clean citrus scent. To use this floor cleaner, simply spray it on, mop, and prepare to be amazed by how shiny your floors are. Just note: A little goes a long way, so be conservative when you’re using it. Price at time of publish: $22 Type: Liquid | Dimensions: 12.1 x 6 x 6 inches | Weight: 8.6 pounds | Amount: 128 fluid ounces | Scent: Citrus
First, use it to vacuum all loose debris. Then, use the spray cleaning solution from the on-board container to mop, leaving floors sparkling. Our testers say it’s a seamless process because the tool is lightweight and maneuvers well in tight areas. They also like that it has a light on the head to help you see dark, hard-to-reach spots, like under a couch. The VacMop is also cordless, which helps you navigate wherever you need to go. While the battery life could be better, it’s ultimately not something you’ll need to worry about too much if you’re using the mop for smaller, daily cleans. Our tester says an overnight charge was all they needed to complete several small tasks or one big deep clean of a townhouse. The only downside? You do have to continually purchase refill pads and the cleaning solution, as the VacMop only comes with a sample amount of each—and they’re not reusable. Price at time of publish: $99 Type: Mop and vacuum combo | Dimensions: 47.87 x 9.5 x 5.3 inches | Weight: 5 pounds | Capacity: 0.1 quarts | Power Source: Cordless electric Our tester raved about this Swiffer mop that’s typically easy to find online and on store shelves, rating it a perfect 5 stars in every testing category except portability because the mop’s pieces feel a bit flimsy and may be prone to breakage if moved or stored incorrectly. Despite this drawback, the tool is tough on spills, dirt, and dust. Our tester said the mop even eradicated stuck-on bits of food. “I also used it with one of the ‘Extra Power’ pads to clean the laminate floors in my bathroom,” she said. “I didn’t expect the different pad to make a big difference, but it did a good job scrubbing off stains without too much effort—always a plus!” When you’re done, just toss the disposable cleaning pad in the garbage. Just keep in mind, while convenient, you will have to continually purchase brand-specific replacements, much like you have to with the Shark VacMop. Price at time of publish: $29 Type: Mop | Dimensions: 4.53 x 18.9 x 6.02 inches | Weight: 3.23 pounds | Capacity: Not applicable | Power Source: Manual If you want to streamline the task (and your supplies, for that matter), this cleaner can do a cool trick. If you purchase the Rejuvenate Click n Clean Multi-Surface Spray Mop, you can attach the cleaner to spray and mop all in one go. Simply clip the upside-down bottle onto the spray mop and get to work. Price at time of publish: $7 Type: Spray | Dimensions: 2 x 4.5 x 11.5 inches | Weight: 1 pound | Amount: 32 fluid ounces | Scent: Lemon This spray-and-go formula can be applied directly to your flooring, too. So, all you need to do is wipe everything down with a cleaning cloth or mop. There’s no need to rinse. Not only is that a huge time-saver, but it’s also better for prolonging the life of your floor. Price at time of publish: $13 Type: Liquid spray | Dimensions: 2 x 3.75 x 10.5 inches | Weight: 1.7 pounds | Amount: 24 fluid ounces | Scent: Unscented What’s more, laminate floor cleaners can be applied in a few ways. Some come in spray bottles, while others are applied with a traditional mop or put into a spray mop. The best option for you will depend on how large an area you’re cleaning and what equipment you have. If you have a larger space, a mop is often more convenient to use than a liquid cleaner that needs to be wiped on. You may also want to look at how many applications are recommended, as some products need multiple layers for optimal results.
Ingredients
The ideal laminate floor cleaner isn’t going to expose your surfaces to excessive moisture, but also has ingredients that help create protection and shine and are suitable for your household. When shopping, take a moment to look at the ingredients label of a product before adding it to your cart if it’s a liquid cleaner. If you have young children, pets, or are sensitive to chemicals, you may not want to use a harsh product on your floors. This might also be the case if you’re trying to stick to more green cleaning products. Instead, you may want to look for a laminate floor cleaner that uses plant-based ingredients to get your floors looking their best. Try something like Better Life Naturally Dirt-Destroying Floor Cleaner in that case—our top pick for a laminate floor cleaner and a very eco-friendly option.
Scent
When it comes to floor cleaners, scent is kind of a bonus. While it doesn’t necessarily impact efficacy, it can be nice to have that fresh, clean scent after wiping down your floors. Laminate floor cleaners can have several different scents, from a general “clean” scent to a citrus one. If you’re sensitive to fragrances, you may want to skip any synthetic fragrances or powerful scents. Instead, you may want to opt for something powered by essential oils.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This roundup was written by Brigitt Earley, a freelance writer and editor with nearly 15 years of experience. She has written extensively about cleaning products, including other types of floor cleaners, for various publications. She has personally tested a whole host of the cleaning products featured on this list. To curate the final lineup of products, she leaned on her own experience, reviewed bestseller lists, read hundreds of product reviews, and spoke to cleaning expert Angela Lee of Hellamaid, a top-rated cleaning company in Ontario, Canada. They provided guidance on what to look for in a quality laminate floor cleaner. Then, using this expert insight, Brigitt finalized the list, considering features like type, application, and scent. You can also try using color-matched touch-up pens, wax fillers, microwaved crayons, or putty. To maintain your laminate floors, be sure to dust, mop, or vacuum your laminate floors daily to remove surface grit and dirt that can wear down the finish and lead to future scratches. You can also add pads on the bottom of heavy furniture to prevent scuffing. Additional reporting was completed by Erica Puisis, who has been researching home cleaning products for The Spruce since 2017. She keeps an eye out for the latest and greatest formulas without harsh chemicals or odors that will make her own floors sparkle. A big fan of Better Life’s Naturally Dirt-Destroying Floor Cleaner, our top pick, she loves the fresh scent and gentle formula for use in her own home.
