How to Clean Your Pergo Floors

Cleaning Pergo floors doesn’t have to involve overpriced specialty products or complicated routines. While the manufacturer might recommend branded cleaners or fancy mops, you can skip the upsell. There are easier, cheaper, and equally effective methods for keeping your Pergo laminate floors looking great. Just remember: Pergo is laminate, not hardwood. It needs gentle care, minimal moisture, and cleaners that won’t leave residue or cause damage.

General Tips for Cleaning Pergo Floors

• Use minimal moisture. Always dry the floor after cleaning to avoid streaks, water spots, or warping.
• Avoid damage. Skip stiff-bristle brooms, vacuums with beater bars, and anything that could scratch the surface.
• No wood floor products. Pergo is not wood. Products made for wood can leave behind residues or dull the finish.
• Watch for film or squeaking. Residue from heavy cleaners can settle in joints and cause squeaks or a sticky feel.

Cleaning Pergo Floors with Vinegar and Water

The simplest and safest way to clean Pergo floors? Vinegar and water.

• Mix 1/2 cup white vinegar into a 32 oz spray bottle filled with water.
• Lightly spray the floor – do not soak.
• Wipe clean with a terrycloth-covered Swiffer or microfiber mop.
• Dry immediately with a towel or dry mop.
• Open windows or use fans to help it dry faster.

Pergo actually recommends vinegar in these proportions.

Ammonia and Water Option

Cleaning Pergo floors with ammonia is another option supported by Pergo.

• Use the same ratio as the vinegar method: ½ cup ammonia in 32 oz of water.
• Mop lightly and dry right away.

Keep in mind: Vinegar is more eco-friendly, but both methods work well.

Just Water Works Too

If you prefer to skip vinegar or ammonia:

• Use plain tap water, lightly misted or damp-mopped.
• Always follow with a dry cloth to remove excess moisture.
• This method is safest when you’re unsure about using any kind of cleaner.

A Stronger Mix: Vinegar, Alcohol, and Dish Soap

For tougher spots or greasy residue, try this mixture:

• 1/3 cup vinegar
• 1/3 cup rubbing alcohol
• 1/3 cup water
• 3 drops of dish detergent (no more!)

Spray or mop lightly, then dry. The alcohol helps the floor dry faster, reducing streaking.

Using Swiffers on Pergo Floors

Yes, Swiffers are safe for Pergo floors – with a few rules:

• Use the damp cloth method, not the spray jet feature.
• Stick with Swiffer solution made for laminate (not wood).
• Don’t oversaturate the floor.

Drying the floor quickly helps avoid residue and squeaks.

Windex for Quick Cleanups

Believe it or not, Windex can clean Pergo floors effectively. It contains ammonia, which dries fast and avoids streaking.

• Spray lightly on the floor.
• Wipe with a Swiffer cloth, microfiber mop, or soft towel.

Use it for spot cleaning or quick refreshes. Cleaning Pergo floors is simple and affordable when you know what works – and what to avoid. Stick with light cleaners, avoid excess moisture, and never treat Pergo like real wood. Whether you choose vinegar, ammonia, or even just water, a clean Pergo floor is only a few careful swipes away. Keep it gentle, keep it dry, and your floors will stay beautiful for years.

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