Living with children and pets is a recipe for sticky floors. Here's how I keep my floors clean without spending a bundle.

Do You Have Laminate Flooring?

I've never been a fan of the mop-and-bucket affair, and when we decided to put Pergo-laminated flooring in our home, I was worried about the prospect of wringing that mop and having to buy some special proprietary blend of cleaning product for such. I hate feeling like I have been roped in for life.

Never fear, frugal ones—here is something you can make from items you most likely already have in your household, and for only pennies per bottle. Not only is it a price performer, this homemade laminate floor cleaner works wonderfully, even on the stickiest floors. I should know: I have a 4-year-old, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, and a clumsy 47-year-old at home!

How to Make Your Own ‘Pergo' Laminate Flooring Cleaner

Ingredients

In a measuring cup or jar, add the following:

• 1 part water
• 1 part white vinegar
• 1 part 70% Isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol
• A few drops of liquid dish detergent

Instructions

1. Mix all ingredients together and pour it into a fine mist spray bottle.
2. Sweep or vacuum your floors first.
3. Spray the cleaner in a fine mist, low over the surface area to be cleaned
4. Allow it to set for a few minutes, then use a microfiber mop or towel to wipe it up.

Notes and Tips

• You'll notice right away that this mixture cleans effectively and with ease, dries quickly, and it is so simple to use. No bucket required!
• When you have finished mopping, just toss the microfiber mop head or towel into the laundry until next time.
• Be sure not to use fabric softener or dryer sheets when laundering your cleaning towels, or else they will lose their ability to absorb liquids effectively.

This article is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge. Content is for informational or entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for personal counsel or professional advice in business, financial, legal, or technical matters.

© 2008 mamatron

Comments

BR on September 17, 2018:

This cleaner made my Performance flooring very dull and streaky. I will never use it, again.

Solona on June 21, 2017:

When I made this solution plus a few drops of essential oil it left a film on my floor, you can see it and its not shiny-its dull :( help please

Kay on May 08, 2017:

Will this formula work on ceramic tile floors?

Peggy on April 22, 2017:

I've got 3 dogs 2 cats 2 preschool grandsons a teenager and a 62 yr old husband

I needed this thanks

debbie on January 02, 2017:

thank you! we just moved into a home that has these floors,this is working great.

Nina on December 11, 2016:

To make about 16 ounces

DIY LAMINATE FLOOR CLEANER

I use this receipe below for birch color laminate floor and the result is clean and shinny floor every time.

5 ounces white vinegar

5 ounces rubbing alcohol

5 ounces water (use distilled or boiled and cooled water if you are wanting to store this longer than one week)

optional: 3-5 drops essential oils (lemon or orange and peppermint is a great combination for this recipe)

Combine the ingredients and pour into a spray bottle or spray mop and use weekly or more if necessary.

Have hardwood floors? Don’t use this recipe – the high ratios of rubbing alcohol and vinegar aren’t compatible with your floors.

Suzan on October 12, 2016:

The only way to get rid of any streaks is by going over the floors with a micro fiber and some pledge ... Works like a charm

Natalie on April 13, 2016:

The article from NaturesNurtureBlog cleary states "This is a low-traffic area of the house (only part with nice light for pictures), hence the shine. This cleaner will NOT shine your floors like this."

This is a floor CLEANER not a floor SHINER. You might want to try coconut oil if your floors are dull or you might have to have them refinished,if they are that bad.

D on February 09, 2016:

dosnt it stink with those ingredients

CamiDildine on December 12, 2015:

This worked great for me :) No streak marks! My floor isn't slimy anymore. Plus it helped keep my puppies from peeing on the floors :)

Kristen on August 15, 2015:

It's clean but streaky and dull-looking. At least it's clean...

Debbie on July 10, 2015:

Well, All I Had Was 50 % And My Floors Came Out Very Filmy And Lots Of Streaks.

Sharon P on March 10, 2015:

I see two recipes that are quite different. I'm wondering

1. Which of the following recipes below works well?

2. Do you need to use hot water?

1 cup water or 1 Gallon water

3/4 c. vinegar 1/3 c vinegar

3/4 c alcohol 1/3 c alcohol

2 to 3 drops soap a few drops soap

Whitney Constantine on December 22, 2014:

I usually don't post comments about different ideas I find but I must say this really does work. It got the build up from the last cleaning fiasco. And the floors look great! Thanks for sharing.

Naz on October 23, 2014:

I used and liked this cleaner. I used 1 part hot water, 1 part %70 alcohol, 3/4 part vinegar and very little dish soap. My floors are dark laminate. It didn't leave any streaks on my floors. The floors are not mirror-shiny, but they are very nice and clean. The vinegar smell was gone quickly, so it didn't bother us at all.

I used to clean everything with commercial cleaners in the past. Spraying all those chemicals in my living space resulted in a chronic sinus problem that will stay with me for the rest of my life. I will never touch a commercial cleaner again and I think these homemade cleaners are doing a decent job.

Johne904 on July 18, 2014:

Very nice post. I certainly appreciate this website. ekeaaeeffbed

Lauri on June 25, 2014:

Update: went over the floors 3 more times using 3 more microfiber pads. Seems to get better. There are still streaks and a film but not as bad. Maybe I have to work through 2 years of commercial laminate floor cleaner to get to the shine. I will keep giving it a try.

Lauri on June 24, 2014:

Very disappointed. Doesn't work for me. Have gone over the floors twice, each time with new microfiber pads. Would be nice to have tips for tweaks in case of streaks. For example: are streaks a symptom of too much vinegar, water, alcohol, soap, etc. or not enough?

Carolyn Wendell on June 14, 2014:

This works great for me. It really shines and I'm so happy with the ease of it all. My flooring isn't Pergo, but one we got from Costco. Thanks for the tip.

Kim on February 09, 2014:

I have tried this and it does not work

Tamara on August 18, 2013:

This is the most ridiculous concoction ever. It does NOT make floor shiny. Mr Clean works 500x's better.

And....buying enough rubbing alcohol to clean a homes work of flooring a few times a week is NOT cheaper than buying a commercial product (that works better than this mixture)

kellie on May 03, 2013:

Smells horrible! Wonder if I added a little febreeze??

Nancy on November 05, 2012:

Stinky! My children are insisting that I stop mopping! It did an OK job, but not good enough to justify the stink.

Jeff on October 13, 2012:

Thanks. Cleans laminate floor well, but not seeing the same hi-gloss shine as the pic from the naturesnatureblog providing your recipe and link.

Crystal on October 10, 2012:

Is 91% Isopropyl (rubbing) Alcohol ok to use or does it have to be 70% ?

mamatron (author) from 51st State on August 30, 2012:

The post has been updated to reflect the CORRECT alcohol to use, which is 70% Isopropyl (Rubbing) Alcohol. Happy Cleaning, DIYers!

Jennifer on August 20, 2012:

I never seen 2% so I just tried it with what was laying around (70%) and dull as can be. Maybe is I water down.

Sharon on August 16, 2012:

Does this work on linoleum

Linda on August 08, 2012:

I just tried this and although it cleans the floors, they are not shinning. Sad face.

maureen hirt on June 06, 2012:

works wonders on my wood laminate... had been using swiffer wet jet, although convenient, my floors were feeling greasy... so much better and cheaper too!!

Val on June 03, 2012:

Can you please answer the question about the 2% alcohol? It doesn't seem to exist.

Joke on May 29, 2012:

2% isopropyl alcohol??

carol on May 28, 2012:

I have laminate floors not Pergo brand will this work on them?

Mariann on May 26, 2012:

I never heard of 2% alcohol

Diane Moore on May 04, 2012:

I was a bit of a skeptic, but it really works. I would like the vinegar smell to go away quicker though!

Dina Gardner on May 03, 2012:

Where do you buy 2% strength? I've only seen strengths of 70, 91 and 99.

Tina on April 25, 2012:

Is this okay for sealed hardwood floors? I have a steam mop for my floors but I would like to add a cleaner for an extra clean shiny floor.

Tammy on April 21, 2012:

I can't wait to try this I have two dogs and keeping my wood floors clean is a headace.Thanks

Sarah @ Nature's Nurture Blog on March 03, 2012:

We just moved into a new house with laminate flooring and I've been completely lost as to how to take care of all this wood! I too have never been a fan of the mop and bucket and have been looking for something easy to make. I tried just water and vinegar (my go-to all-purpose cleaner) but I felt it left streaks on the floors. I'm so glad I found your post and will be trying this today!