How to Clean and Maintain Laminate, LVT & Engineered Wood

Keeping your floors looking their best doesn’t have to be complicated. With the right routine and a few smart habits, laminate, LVT, and engineered wood can stay beautiful for years. This guide by Floor Land breaks down the essential cleaning rules for each floor type, plus the seasonal care tips that help protect your investment long‑term.

General Cleaning Rules

Across all hard flooring types, a few universal principles apply:

Sweep or vacuum regularly to remove grit that can scratch the surface.
Use a damp—not wet—mop. Excess water is the enemy of most floating floors.
Choose pH‑neutral cleaners designed for hard floors.
Avoid steam cleaners, which can force moisture into joints and cause damage.
Wipe spills quickly to prevent staining or swelling.
Use felt pads under furniture to prevent scratches.

These simple habits form the foundation of good floor care, no matter what material you’ve chosen.

Laminate Maintenance

Laminate is durable and low‑maintenance, but it still needs the right approach to stay in top condition.

What to Use

Microfibre mops for everyday cleaning
pH‑neutral laminate cleaners
A lightly damp cloth for spot cleaning
Vacuum with a hard‑floor attachment to avoid scratching

Laminate floors from brands like Quick‑Step are designed with sealed surfaces that resist stains and wear, so gentle cleaning is usually all they need.

What to Avoid

Excess water – standing moisture can seep into the joints and cause swelling
Steam mops – too much heat and moisture
Abrasive cleaners or scouring pads
Wax or polish – laminate cannot absorb these products and will become streaky

If you want your laminate to last, keeping moisture to a minimum is the golden rule.

LVT Maintenance

Luxury Vinyl Tile is one of the easiest floors to care for, thanks to its waterproof construction and tough wear layer. Still, a good routine helps it stay looking fresh.

Daily Care

Sweep or vacuum to remove dust and grit
Use a damp mop with a vinyl‑safe cleaner
Wipe spills immediately, especially acidic liquids like wine or juice
Use doormats to reduce dirt tracked in from outside

LVT is highly resistant to scratches and stains, making it ideal for busy homes, pets, and kitchens.

Deep Cleaning

Every few weeks—or more often in high‑traffic areas—give your LVT a deeper clean:

Use a specialist LVT cleaner to lift stubborn dirt
Mop in smooth, overlapping strokes to avoid streaks
For textured LVT, use a soft‑bristle brush to clean grooves
Avoid harsh chemicals like bleach or ammonia

If your LVT is from a premium brand such as Quick‑Step, using their recommended cleaning products helps maintain the warranty and ensures the best results.

Engineered Wood Maintenance

Engineered wood brings warmth and natural beauty to your home, but it needs a little more care than laminate or LVT. The right maintenance routine depends on the finish.

Oils vs Lacquers

Oiled floors

Have a natural, matte appearance
Need regular re‑oiling to nourish the wood
Are easier to repair in small areas
Benefit from gentle, wood‑safe cleaners

Lacquered floors

Have a more durable, sealed surface
Resist stains and scratches better
Require less frequent maintenance
Should be cleaned with pH‑neutral wood cleaners

Knowing your finish is essential—using the wrong products can dull the surface or cause long‑term damage.

Scratch Repair

Even with careful use, engineered wood can pick up the occasional scratch. Fortunately, most marks can be repaired:

Minor surface scratches – use a colour‑matched repair pen or wax filler
Deeper scratches – apply a soft wax kit and buff gently
Large damaged areas – oiled floors can often be spot‑repaired; lacquered floors may need a full board replacement

Using felt pads, lifting furniture instead of dragging it, and keeping pet nails trimmed all help prevent scratches in the first place.