How to Clean LVP and Laminate Floors (and What Never to Use)
How to clean LVP and laminate floors daily and weekly, which cleaners to use and avoid, and how to prevent and fix scratches or replace a damaged plank.
LVP and laminate are both low-maintenance floors, which is half the reason people buy them. But low maintenance is not no maintenance, and the wrong cleaner can dull the finish or void the warranty. The good news is that the right routine takes a few minutes a week.
LVP vs. laminate: why the care is a little different
LVP is vinyl all the way through (or vinyl over a rigid SPC or WPC core). The surface is waterproof, so a damp mop is no problem. Laminate has an HDF wood-fiber core under a hard photo layer and wear surface. Even "water-resistant" laminate only resists surface spills for a stated number of hours. Water that sits in the seams can swell the core. That's why laminate needs a drier mop than LVP. See is laminate waterproof and LVP vs. laminate.
What you'll need
- Soft-bristle broom or microfiber dust mop
- Vacuum with a hard floor setting (beater bar off or a soft roller head)
- Flat microfiber mop with washable pads
- Spray bottle
- pH-neutral cleaner labeled for vinyl or laminate floors (or the brand your manufacturer recommends)
- Soft cloths for spills
- Felt furniture pads and non-staining entry mats
Daily and weekly cleaning routine
- Remove grit daily or every few days. Sweep, dust mop or vacuum. Sand and grit act like sandpaper under shoes, and they cause most of the fine scratches people see on these floors.
- Wipe spills right away. Use a soft cloth. On laminate, don't let liquid sit, especially near seams, dishwashers and sinks.
- Damp mop weekly. Spray a light mist of cleaner on a small area or onto the mop pad, not puddles on the floor. Mop with the direction of the planks.
- Keep the mop barely damp. On LVP, damp is fine. On laminate, the pad should feel nearly dry to the touch. If you see water standing on the floor, it's too wet.
- Rinse or swap pads. A dirty pad just spreads film. Swap to a clean pad when it starts leaving streaks.
- Dry any wet spots. Go over damp areas with a dry microfiber pad, especially on laminate.
What cleaners are safe for LVP and laminate?
Use a pH-neutral cleaner made for vinyl, laminate or "hard surface" floors. Many manufacturers name a specific cleaner in their care guide, and using it keeps you inside the warranty. For light cleaning, plain warm water on a well-wrung microfiber pad works fine. Some people use a small amount of white vinegar in water on LVP, but many manufacturers don't recommend it, so check your care guide first.
What not to use on LVP and laminate
| Avoid | Why |
|---|---|
| Steam mops | Heat and moisture can soften vinyl adhesive layers, warp LVP and force steam into laminate seams. Most manufacturers prohibit them. |
| Wax or "polish and shine" products | Builds a sticky film that dulls the floor and attracts dirt. Neither floor needs wax. |
| Oil soaps (like wood soaps) | Leaves a residue that makes floors slippery and streaky. |
| Ammonia and bleach | Can dull or discolor the wear layer over time. |
| Abrasive powders and scrub pads | Scratch the wear layer. Steel wool is a hard no. |
| Wet mopping laminate | Water gets into seams and swells the HDF core, causing peaked edges. |
| Vacuum beater bars | Spinning bristles can scuff the surface. |
How to remove tough spots
- Dried food or mud: let a damp cloth with a little floor cleaner sit on it for a minute, then wipe. Don't scrape with metal.
- Scuff marks from shoes: rub with a dry microfiber cloth or a tennis ball. They usually lift right off.
- Grease in the kitchen: a few drops of mild dish soap in warm water on a cloth, then a clean water wipe so no soap film is left behind.
- Ink, marker or nail polish: a small amount of isopropyl rubbing alcohol on a cloth usually works. Test it in a closet first.
- Gum or wax: harden it with an ice cube in a bag, then pop it off with a plastic scraper.
How to prevent scratches and dents
- Felt pads under all furniture. Chairs, tables, couches, beds. Replace them when they get worn or packed with grit.
- Wide, flat protectors under heavy items. LVP, especially WPC, can dent under narrow legs or heavy appliances. Spread the load.
- Chair mats for rolling office chairs. Hard casters wear through quickly. Use a mat or swap to soft urethane casters.
- Mats at every exterior door. One outside and one inside traps most grit. Use mats with a non-staining backing. Some rubber-backed mats can discolor vinyl.
- Lift, don't drag. When moving furniture or appliances, lift or slide them on hardboard or a furniture slider.
- Trim pet nails. See best flooring for dogs.
Does sunlight fade LVP and laminate?
Both can fade or change color over years of strong direct sun, and LVP can also expand from heat near big south-facing windows or sliders. Use blinds, curtains or UV-filtering window film in rooms that get hard afternoon sun, and move rugs occasionally so you don't end up with a "shadow" outline.
How to fix scratches on LVP and laminate
- Clean the area. Grit in a scratch makes it look worse than it is.
- Check if it's a scuff or a scratch. Many marks are scuffs on top of the surface. A little floor cleaner and a soft cloth, or a melamine sponge used gently, often removes them. Test in a hidden spot first.
- Use a repair marker or color fill. For light scratches, the flooring manufacturer or a flooring store sells touch-up markers and wax-fill sticks. Match the color, fill, and buff off the excess.
- Use a repair kit for chips. Deeper gouges can be filled with a color-matched hard putty or a melt-in repair kit, then leveled and textured.
- Replace the plank if it's bad. If the wear layer is cut through or a laminate edge has swelled, a repair won't hold. Replace it (below).
How to replace a damaged LVP or laminate plank
This is why you keep a box of leftover planks. Two common methods:
- Near a wall: remove baseboard, unclick rows back to the damaged plank, swap it out, and reassemble. Slow but clean, and the joints stay intact.
- In the middle of the room: cut out the damaged plank with a circular saw set to the plank depth and an oscillating tool at the ends. Trim the locking tongue off the replacement, glue it in place with an adhesive recommended for that product, and weight it until it cures.
Glue-down LVP is easier: warm the plank with a heat gun or hair dryer, lift it out, scrape the old adhesive and glue in a new one. Check your product's installation guide for the approved repair method. For more on how these floors go together, see how to install laminate flooring.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Using a steam mop because the box says it's "safe for sealed floors."
- Pouring cleaner straight onto laminate and letting it sit.
- Using all-in-one "shine" products that leave a film.
- Skipping felt pads and entry mats.
- Using rubber-backed mats that can stain vinyl.
- Throwing out the leftover planks after installation.
When to hire a pro
Cleaning and small scratch repairs are DIY jobs. Call a pro when several planks need to be replaced in the middle of a room, when laminate has swelled from a leak (the source needs to be found first), when a floating floor has buckled or separated, or when plank edges are peaking across a whole area. Those are usually installation or moisture problems, not cleaning problems.
Need it done for you?
If a section of your LVP or laminate floor needs repair or replacement, book a free in-home estimate. You'll get a fixed-price quote within 48 hours.
Quick answers
Can I use a Swiffer on LVP and laminate?
A dry dust pad is fine on both. For wet pads, check that the solution is pH-neutral and, on laminate, that it leaves the floor only slightly damp.
How do I get a haze or film off LVP?
Haze is usually residue from too much cleaner or a shine product. Mop with plain warm water on a clean microfiber pad, swapping pads often, until the film is gone.
Can I use a robot mop on laminate?
Only if it uses very little water and the manufacturer allows damp mopping. Robot vacuums without mopping are fine on both floors.
Does cleaning the wrong way void the warranty?
It can. Many manufacturers exclude damage from steam mops, wax, harsh chemicals or excessive water. Keep the care guide that came with your floor.
How many extra planks should I keep after installation?
Keep at least one unopened box, or several loose planks, stored flat in a dry place. Dye lots change, so a later order may not match.