Can You Use a Swiffer WetJet on Laminate Floors?

It is no wonder that laminate flooring has gained popularity over recent years. It is a stylish and affordable option compared to solid hardwood flooring, requiring less effort to install and less overall maintenance. There is still some care required to maintain the look of your laminate and you might be wondering if you can use common cleaning products such as a Swiffer WetJet.

Yes, you can use a Swiffer WetJet on laminate flooring. Swiffer offers a laminate-specific cleaning solution to maintain laminate flooring with care. It is recommended to use the laminate-specific solution as other options can be less effective at protecting your flooring.

After you have installed your beautiful laminate flooring, you likely want to keep it in pristine condition and there are a few dos and don’ts to the process. When deciding which cleaners to use on laminate flooring, there are some guidelines.

Before Getting Started

Before you begin cleaning laminate, or any type of flooring, it is best to read the care instructions that came with your specific flooring or as advised by the installers. If you are not able to gather care tips from either of those sources, there are some general guidelines when it comes to taking care of laminate flooring.

1. Regularly Run a Vacuum Over the Surface

Because of the nature of wood-based flooring being installed in pieces, sometimes fine dirt and debris can get caught in the cracks and crevices. Using a vacuum once a week on your flooring can not only help eliminate allergens but keep your laminate looking clean.

2. Use a Damp Mop like a Swiffer WetJet

Once a month, or as needed, use a Swiffer WetJet with laminate-compatible cleaning solution, to give the floor a deep clean. The perks of using a Swiffer WetJet are that the mop pads are disposable and the mechanism of spraying the solution and mopping it up right away protects the floor from damage caused by allowing liquids to pool on it.

Certain cleaning surfaces like scrub pads or certain mop types can be too abrasive to use on laminate flooring however mopping pads like the ones found on Swiffer WetJet are soft and gentle enough to use.

Are All Swiffer WetJet Cleaning Solutions Safe on Laminate Flooring?

You may have found yourself in the home care aisle at the grocery store confused by the different types of Swiffer WetJet options available. Some serve different purposes and some are better suited to laminate flooring than others. Let us take a look at all our options:

1. Swiffer WetJet Vinyl, Tile, and Laminate Cleaner (Most Recommended for Laminate Floors)

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This WetJet Vinyl, Tile, and Laminate cleaner is the most compatible solution for laminate flooring designed to be quick-drying and to care for luxury, high-end flooring. It cleans laminate flooring well without abrasion and leaves a streak-free shine. Although other options will still do the trick, this option is designed for laminate and is best suited when looking to care and preserve your flooring.

2. Swiffer WetJet Multi-Surface Floor Cleaner in Various Scents

This is another version of the all-in-one cleaning solution available in lavender and vanilla, open window, sweet citrus and zest, Gain Original, and Unstoppables scents. While the scent options are alluring, these also cannot be used on certain surfaces like unfinished wood or where liquid absorption could be damaging.

3. Swiffer WetJet Wood Floor Cleaner

This WetJet wood floor solution is designed to be quick-drying to reduce the risk of liquid damage to wood flooring, comes in an inviting home scent, and is compatible with laminate flooring. Check out our full hardwood floor WetJet cleaning guide here.

4. Swiffer WetJet Multi-Surface Floor Cleaner with the Power of Mr. Clean

This premixed Mr. Clean solution is ideal for most flooring surfaces and offers a quick-dry formula though it is not compatible with unfinished wood surfaces. The added boost of Mr.Clean allows it to clear away dirt quickly and effectively. While it can technically be used on various flooring surfaces, it may not be ideal where the lingering of any liquid could warp or damage flooring like laminate.

Consider Making Your Own DIY Swiffer WetJet Solution Refill

You can make your own Swiffer WetJet solution at home however, refilling the container can be tricky. This video shows one method of boiling water and dipping the lid of the solution bottle in and safely twisting it off with a rag or pliers.

DIY Solution 1: 4 drops of mild dish soap and 2 cups of warm water

This is a gentle formula ideal for daily spills and messes.

DIY Solution 2: 4 drops of mild dish soap, 1 cup of distilled white vinegar, and 1 cup of warm water

This is better for deep cleans as the acidic nature of the vinegar kills harmful bacteria while lifting away stuck-on dirt. Not recommended as a daily choice because vinegar has a high pH and can be known to deteriorate surfaces’ protective coats over a period of time. It is great for weekly or monthly deep cleans and disinfects.

DIY Solution 3: Fabuloso cleaning solution mixed with water

This is also better for deep cleans and comes in a variety of scents. Fabuloso is a popular multi-surface cleaner that is low in price and they have a variety of great scents to choose from. Their scents are lavender, lemon, passion of fruits, baking soda option, and tropical spring.

DIY Solution 4: Black Diamond Stoneworks Wood and Laminate Floor Cleaner

This Black Diamonds professional-grade floor cleaner is designed specifically for wood and laminate surfaces, leaving a streak-free shine. This formula is also bio-degradable and safe for kids and pets making it an attractive alternative. Simply get the one-gallon jug and use it to refill your wetjet bottle as a great laminate floor cleaning solution.

What is the Best Type of Swiffer Mopping Pad Refill for Laminate Floors?

Swiffer offers three types of mopping pads, each one better suited to a specific floor type than the other.

1. Swiffer WetJet Wood Mopping Pad Refill

Swiffer designed this Wood mopping pad specifically with wood floors in mind. The mopping pad is made of a softer microfiber-like material that is completely non-abrasive to wood flooring while still having a strip that locks away dirt particles. This is most compatible with laminate floors.

2. Swiffer WetJet Pad Refill

This regular mopping pad is suited to most non-carpet flooring types and comes with a strip designed to grip and lock away dirt particles. While the disposable mopping pad is soft, it has some texture to allow it to better hold on to dirt instead of pushing it around.

  3. Swiffer WetJet Heavy Duty Mopping Pad Refill

This Heavy Duty mopping pad is also safe for laminate flooring and is designed for heavy-duty cleanups. It is made up of multiple layers and a gentle scrubbing strip that is non-abrasive to the flooring but allows for an easier cleanup of stuck-on grime.

Reusable Mopping Pads That Are Compatible with Swiffer WetJet

While Swiffer mopping pads are designed specifically for Swiffer devices, there are reusable options available as well. The reusable mop pads by Turbo Mops available on Amazon, are a great option! You might consider reusable mopping pads as a more cost-effective, environmentally friendly option that works just as well to lift away dirt and grime with its microfiber surface.

Why Do My Floors Feel Sticky After Using the Swiffer WetJet?

Occasionally, you might mop with your Swiffer WetJet and notice that there is a slightly sticky feeling left when you walk on the floor. There are a couple of reasons this may be happening with easy solutions to prevent it from recurring.

The first could be due to the presence of dirt, dust, and grime on the floor prior to mopping that has become dampened but was unable to be properly lifted away by the mopping pad itself. To take care of this, it is recommended to vacuum laminate flooring at least weekly to pick up debris that may have settled into the cracks and crevices.

The second issue could be mopping with homemade solutions with too much dish soap or cleaner added. If the ratio of surfactant to water is off, it can leave a film on the floor which then feels sticky to walk on. Try adding a little more water or a little less soap or cleaner to rectify this.

Do Not Allow Water and Cleaner to Pool on Laminate Flooring

Because laminate flooring is made of wood-based materials, it is not entirely water-resistant even with the finish. When water or cleaner is allowed to pool on the flooring for an extended amount of time, there is a risk of it seeping into the flooring or between any cracks which can then cause lumps and warping of the floor.

To prevent this from happening, using devices like the Swiffer WetJet that allow you to spray a bit of the cleaning solution and mop it up immediately is ideal. As discussed above, some Swiffer WetJet solutions are made with quick-drying formulas which also prevent this issue from occurring.

Final Thoughts

Laminate flooring looks stunning and is a cost-effective way to achieve the feeling of luxury flooring without paying for solid hardwood floors. Keeping your laminate looking new while also keeping it clean is easy and achievable with Swiffer WetJet and the aforementioned homemade options.