Pine Sol Multi-Purpose cleaner is one of the most-effective cleaners for various surfaces including kitchen sinks, cabinets, and countertops. However, did you know that you can also use this product to effectively clean and disinfect your laminate floor surface? In this article, we’ll guide you through how to do this. We’ve also reviewed a few alternative cleaning strategies you can use for laminate surfaces if you don’t have Pine Sol Cleaner.
Can I use pine sol on laminate floors?
Pine Sol Multi-purpose Cleaner is a powerful cleaning formula that effectively gets rid of dirt, dust, grime, scuff marks, debris, spillages, and any other gooey messes on laminate flooring. Unlike other types of floor cleaners which contain harsh chemical ingredients that will remove your floor’s top finish as well, Pine Sol is a relatively mild cleaner and- when properly diluted- will clean and disinfect your floor without affecting the laminate planks.
How to Clean Laminate Floors Using Pine Sol
Below, we’ve detailed a procedure that will help you to effectively clean off dirt, grime, and built-up debris from your laminate surface using Pine Sol:
Step 1: Prep the Laminate Floor
As you’ll be mopping your laminate surface later on using Pine Sol solution, you don’t want loose dirt particles to scratch the floor as the mop drags them across the surface. It’s- therefore- important to first off clean off such loose dirt and dust particles by sweeping the floor or vacuuming it. A soft-bristled broom and a shop vac will get the job done in either case.
Step 2: Make your Pine Sol Cleaning Solution
Pour a gallon of lukewarm water into a bucket, then add a quarter-cup of Pine Sol Multi-Purpose Cleaner and stir the mixture.
Step 3: Mop the Laminate Floor
Transfer your Pine Sol solution into a refillable spray bottle. Then, spray the solution on the laminate floor and run through the areas you’ve applied the solution using a microfiber spray mop.
If you don’t have a microfiber mop, you can use a regular mop, which you’ll dip directly into the bucket containing the Pine Sol solution, wring, then wipe the laminate surface. It’s important to thoroughly wring the mop to avoid leaving any standing water on the floor- as laminate surfaces are moisture-sensitive. Standing water can- therefore- cause warping and streaking.
If you have greasy spots, scuff marks, and stubborn stains on your laminate floor surface, you need a stronger solution to clean and restore it. Which is why we recommend using the Pine Sol Multi-Purpose cleaner straight off the bottle in such instances. Just pour a few drops on the affected spots and scrub off the stains using a soft-bristled brush or an old toothbrush. Avoid using highly abrasive tools like scouring pads or steel wool when spot-cleaning laminate flooring, as they’re likely to cause permanent damage.
Step 4: Rinse the Floor
After cleaning the entire laminate floor using the Pine Sol solution, rinse the surface using clean water and mop to restore the floor’s shine. Once, again, you should properly wring your mop to avoid leaving any standing water. Also, work your way from the farthest corner of the room outwards to avoid stepping on areas that you’ve already cleaned up.
Do you have to rinse pine sol off floors?
Rinsing your laminate floor after cleaning it with Pine Sol solution is a crucial step, as Pine Sol residue usually forms an unsightly film on laminate surfaces. Rinsing the laminate floor with fresh, clean water will prevent this kind of film buildup.
Benefits of Mopping with Pine Sol
There are many upsides to using Pine Sol Multi-Purpose Cleaner on your laminate flooring. These advantages include:
- Offers great value for money– you can dilute Pine Sol cleaner and it will still be effective at removing dirt, dust, and debris. A single container of this product will- therefore- serve you multiple times; making it worth every penny.
- Kills Disease-Causing Pathogens– Pine Sol Multi-Purpose Cleaner doesn’t just clean laminate surfaces, it also disinfects them. Therefore, if your laminate floor is harboring any bacteria or disease causing fungal organisms, this product will get rid of them and make your home safer for your health.
- Eliminates Bad Odors– if you keep pets in your home, you know how frustrating it can be when you’ve tried several different kinds of floor cleaning products but the unpleasant smell of pet urine just won’t go away. Well- Pine Sol Cleaner is different.
Not only will it leave your laminate surface looking clean, but will also deodorize it by killing odor-causing microbes. The cleaner is also available in various pleasant scents- including Original Pine, Lavender Clean, Sparkling Wave, lemon Fresh, and Tropical Flowers.
Safety Precautions and Considerations
While Pine Sol is safe for use on laminate surfaces, using it in its concentrated form can cause irreversible damage to your floor. You should- therefore- always follow the manufacturer’s instructions on dilution before using this product. In addition, it’s important to test your Pine Sol cleaning solution on a small section of your laminate floor and see if there’s any visible damage.
If there’s no problem, you can proceed to use it on the rest of the floor. Conversely, if the laminate surface appears discolored, then your solution is too strong and you should dilute it further.
Pine Sol Alternatives for Cleaning Laminate Floors
If you don’t fancy the idea of Pine Sol Cleaner residue potentially dulling the shine of your laminate surface, there are several other alternatives you can opt for to clean the floor. We’ve discussed the most effective ones below:
Baking Soda
Baking soda is a natural laminate floor cleaner that won’t cause streaking due to residue. It’s great for removing tough stains on laminate surfaces. To effectively use baking soda to restore the look of your laminate floor, mix it with water in a ratio of 1:5. Then, stir the mixture and apply it directly to the stained sections of the laminate floor.
Let the natural solution to react with the stain for about 15 minutes before buffing the spot with a dry piece of cloth. After you’ve wiped off the stain, rinse that area of the floor to remove any baking soda residue.
Ammonia Solution
Another way to effectively clean laminate flooring without any post-cleaning streaking is by using an ammonia-based solution. However, some homeowners have reported damage to their laminate planks after using this solution. You’ll- therefore- ant to test it out on a small section of the floor before proceeding to use it on the rest of your laminate surface.
To make an ammonia solution for laminate floors, mix ammonia-based window cleaner with water in a ratio of 1:1 inside a bucket. Then, dip a mop into the bucket, wring it, and run it over the floor surface. Ammonia emits an unpleasant smell, hence, it’s advisable to wear a face mask and ensure proper room ventilation when using this solution. Finally, avoid mixing ammonia with bleach-based cleaners, as the resultant compounds produced when they react are toxic.
Vinegar and Rubbing Alcohol
Vinegar solution is another natural/eco-friendly alternative to Pine Sol Multi-Purpose Cleaner when it comes to cleaning laminate floors. To make the cleaning solution, simply mix one part white vinegar, one part rubbing alcohol, and one part water. Then, stir the solution and transfer it into a spray bottle.
For even better results, you can add a few drops of orange essential oil to the mixture described above. Now, as you spray the vinegar solution onto the laminate floor, wipe through the floor with a microfiber spray mop. Make sure you run the mop through all sprayed sections to ensure that no vinegar solution is left behind in a pool. This might cause damage to the laminate planks.
i spilled bleach it looks clean??
should i rinse it