To safely clean laminate floors with vinegar, dilute 1 cup of white vinegar in 1 gallon of soapy water. If you use too much vinegar, it can discolor laminate floors. Mop or lightly scrub your laminate floor with this diluted vinegar solution. Then, immediately dry the floor with a clean cloth. Leaving vinegar to sit on a laminate floor can cause damage in areas.
Will Vinegar Damage Laminate Floors?
High concentrations of vinegar will damage laminate flooring. Pure vinegar can cause laminate floor to discolor or even crack. The damage is caused by the high concentrations of acetic acid in vinegar. So, you cannot use undiluted vinegar to clean a laminate floor. However, diluting vinegar with water creates a powerful cleaner that won’t harm your floor.
Will Vinegar Clean Laminate Flooring?
Properly diluted vinegar is excellent for cleaning laminate flooring. Vinegar cuts through grease, sticky residue, and dirt. Plus, diluted vinegar won’t leave any lingering smells. If you’re troubled by laminate floors that feel sticky after mopping, using vinegar is a great way to solve the problem.
How Do You Clean Laminate Flooring With Vinegar?
To clean your laminate flooring with vinegar, begin by making a mixture of white vinegar and warm water. The ratio of the mixture should be 1 part vinegar to 15 parts water. If you are mixing it at home, this can be achieved by mixing 1 cup of vinegar into 1 gallon of water. Or, by mixing 250 milliliters of vinegar into 4 liters of water.
- Mix vinegar and hot water at a 1:15 ratio.
- You can achieve the right ratio with 1 cup of white vinegar in 1 gallon of soapy water.
- Mop your floor with the vinegar and water mixture.
- Use a cloth or soft-bristled brush to scrub tough stains and sticky residue.
- Dry the floor with a soft, clean cloth.
- Don’t allow the vinegar and water mixture to sit—it can discolor laminate.
Once you have mixed your vinegar and water, mop your floor with the mixture. You can also use a soft scrub brush or cloth to tackle problem areas and remove sticky residue. Immediately after you have finished cleaning your laminate floors, use a clean, dry cloth to dry the floor. Drying the floor will prevent the vinegar from damaging the laminate, so it is an essential step.
Is Vinegar and Baking Soda Safe for Laminate Floors?
Vinegar and baking soda can be somewhat helpful for cleaning laminate floors, but it is not one of the best ways to remove buildup on laminate floors. Too much baking soda can be abrasive, which means it can strip the protective coating off your laminate flooring. It is best to avoid using abrasive cleaners on laminate to avoid this damage. Warm water combined with vinegar and alcohol is often more effective and less damaging than baking soda.
What Should You Not Use to Clean Laminate Floors?
Never use undiluted vinegar to clean laminate floors. Similarly, do not use abrasive cleaning pads, steel wool, or aggressive scrub brushes. Using harsh cleaners and abrasive cleaning tools will strip away the protective coating of your laminate. It is best to use soapy water to clean laminate. If your floors have tough buildup, adding small amounts of vinegar and rubbing alcohol to your soapy water will make your cleaning efforts more effective.
Is Vinegar Too Acidic for Laminate Floors?
Before using vinegar to clean your laminate flooring, review these quick tips:
- Undiluted vinegar is too acidic for laminate flooring.
- Using too much vinegar will discolor or crack your laminate flooring.
- Dilute 1 part vinegar in 15 parts soapy water to make a laminate-safe cleaner.
- 1 cup of vinegar in 1 gallon of water creates a perfect floor cleaner.
- Mop and scrub your laminate floors using the diluted vinegar solution and non-abrasive cleaning tools.
- Dry your floors right after mopping to prevent the vinegar from causing damage.
A small amount of vinegar in water will provide a big boost while cleaning. It will also be gentle enough to prevent damage to your floors, so you’ll get all the benefits of vinegar without any negative side effects.