Hardwood & Laminate Floor Cleaner Floors need consistent, often daily, attention. This requires a powerful cleaner that leaves no residue. Zep Commercial Hardwood & Laminate Floor Cleaner removes spots, stains and scuffs and restores the shine to varnish, acrylic and polyurethane-finished floors, molding, cabinet doors and other wood surfaces – leaving nothing behind but a fresh scent. Cleans and restores the shine to floors, baseboards, cabinet doors, and crown moulding. Removes spots, stains, and scuffs. Ready to use formula. Safe for use on varnish, acrylic, and ployurethane-finished wood and laminates - leaving no residue.Truth be told, hot water with a little dish detergent will clean day-to-day dirt from any flooring. But stains are more difficult to vanish and really test the mettle of DIY floor cleaners.So, I took samples of floor materials — vinyl, ceramic tile, laminate, and finished hardwood — and tried to remove Sharpie (permanent marker) marks with different DIY cleaners I made.

Here’s what I learned.Basic, All-Purpose CleanerWhite vinegar and washing soda pack a one-two punch that knocks out dirt. I combined them with dish soap and water to form a popular, all-purpose cleaner.Gray Linen Curtain PanelsHere’s the recipe:¼ cup white vinegar¼ cup washing soda1 tablespoon liquid dish soap2 gallons hot tap waterThis is the control solution that I compared all other DIY solutions to.Patio Furniture Cushions Columbus OhioVinylVinyl is a popular kitchen flooring, so I marked it with a black Sharpie and compared the all-purpose control solution (A) to isopropyl alcohol (B). Laptop Pay Monthly No DepositI placed a little of each cleaner on a clean cloth and made 20 swipes on each stain.Here’s the before picture.

The all-purpose control was a bust. But the alcohol virtually eliminated the stain in five swipes.I then wanted to see if diluted alcohol (C) — one part alcohol; one part water — would be as effective. Ceramic TileCeramic tile is a popular flooring for kitchens and bathrooms. I compared the all-purpose control solution to a dab of toothpaste, which is known as a household polish and cleaner.For this test, I used a circle made with a Sharpie marker.The all-purpose solution took out the Sharpie circle, while the toothpaste only lightened it.LaminateI marked up some laminate flooring samples and pitted the control solution against a sprinkle of Borax on a sponge. Borax is a laundry detergent that, because it’s abrasive, takes out other household stains, too.The test was a bust. Neither the all-purpose control solution nor the Borax removed the stains on laminate.Undeterred, I tried the alcohol and toothpaste — just for kicks.That alcohol is a great stain remover on floors and took out the stain.

The toothpaste lightened it.Wood FloorsJust about anything will clean dirt off wood floors. But removing Sharpie is a challenge, so I rounded up the usual cleaning suspects — the all-purpose control solution, straight white vinegar, hydrogen peroxide (which has many household uses), and alcohol — and gave them a chance to prove themselves.Here are the results.The all-purpose control solution (A) removed most — but not all of — the stain.The vinegar (B) did nothing.The hydrogen peroxide (C) was a bust. The alcohol (D) removed the stain, but left a haze. To remove the haze, I put a dab of olive oil on a cloth and rubbed. And the wood looked good as new.I would use alcohol judiciously on wood floors, because it can remove some finishes, such as wax and shellac. So only use in a worst-case scenario, and be prepared to beef up the finish after.Bottom LineDIY cleaning solutions are an effective alternative to commercial cleaners. Some work better than others on different types of flooring.

But stains on every type of floor surrender to some type of make-it-yourself cleaner.Flooring Installation & Care Laminate Flooring Laminate flooring is easy to clean and care for. Built to stand up to wear and abrasion, it also exhibits the beauty and shine of hardwood flooring, without the requirement of regular waxing and polishing. The best ways to clean laminate flooring involve a vacuum cleaner, a dry mop, and/or a damp towel for difficult spills. Dirt is the primary enemy of laminate flooring and leads to fine scratches that can make the floor look dull and used. The best way to clean laminate floors is to use ammonia and water, or vinegar or any other window cleaning product. First sweep or vacuum up loose dirt, then mist the floor with your cleaner and a mop. Later, buff it up using a terry cloth towel. Microfiber pads are also quite effective and help you avoid cleaning fluids. Also, check the manufacturer’s recommendation for cleaning procedures. Some of them make their own laminate floor cleaners.

Here are some helpful tips to keep your laminate flooring as good as new: Use a vacuum cleaner with a soft flooring attachment, a broom, a slightly damp cloth or mop to remove dirt, grit and debris. Add glides or cushion protectors under chairs and table legs to prevent possible scratching. Put floor mats and foot brushes at all outside doorway entrances to keep away dirt. Damp mop using warm water for a better evaporation rate. When mopping, change water as necessary to keep clean. While damp mopping, avoid any standing fluids on the floor – including your pet’s water bowl. Do not saturate the floor and wipe up spills immediately. Do not use floor polish or wax products. This leaves a film on the floor and causes it to attract more dirt and leave streaks and footprints. Avoid soap-based and abrasive cleaners, scouring powder, citrus oil products and steel wool as they affect the floor’s décor layer and damage the finish. Never sand, lacquer, or refinish your laminate flooring surfaces.