Today, Jill asks:

Diva, what should I use to clean my laminate floors and wood floors?

I can provide you with some helpful advice. However, you need to consider that your laminate flooring was an investment and in order to protect your investment, I’d recommend calling the manufacturer directly first, to find out what they recommend before going any further. Why? Because this will help to protect your floor’s warranty, in case anything should ever go wrong.

With that disclaimer aside, here are some options for you to consider:

• Everyday cleaning - Use a dry dust mop, or hard floors attachment of your vacuum cleaner.

• For heavy duty cleaning - Most wood flooring and laminate flooring cleaners (the kind that are safe to use) are a mix of household vinegar and water. The Pergo Brand recommends “a mixture of household vinegar and water (1-cup vinegar to 1-gallon warm water) or household ammonia and water (1/3 cup ammonia to 1-gallon warm water).”

• What not to use - Pergo warns against using detergent or soap based cleaners as well as “wax-based” products or any type of polish on Pergo floors, as they leave a dull, filmy residue.” I’d also stay away from Wet Swifters, or anything that promises to coat your floors. I’ve heard several complaints about Orange Glo. Orange Glo is a great product, for specific floors and laminate is not one of them.

Do you have questions about the selecting or the installation of: tile, carpet or wall treatments (blinds, etc)? Then email me your tale of woe and perhaps I will be able to answer your questions right here at the Flooring Diva Blog!