Give your laminate floors a fresh look
Cleaning laminate floors is quite different from vacuuming your carpets, considering they have a harder texture and need to be cleaned with extreme care. Keeping in mind that dust and laminate floors don’t go well together, frequent cleaning is necessary.
Apart from dirt, hard surface floors are magnets for pet hair. Therefore, you’ll need a vacuum that is effective against different kinds of messes.
But things get a bit tricky here. You can’t use every vacuum on laminate floors as the protruding brush roll may scratch the surface. Instead, you have to use certain vacuum cleaners that are well-suited for the job.
How do you find the best laminate floor vacuum? Well, that’s what I’m here for.
The Shark Navigator is the top on my list because it’s a highly-recommended vacuum mainly designed for hard floors. Featuring a Lift-Away design, the vacuum has a button that you can press and lift the canister for easy cleaning in tighter spaces.
If you have allergy-sufferers at home, you should consider getting this vac. It has an Anti-allergen seal coupled with the HEPA filtration to rid the air in your pathogens’ house.
Plus, the filter traps the allergens inside the vacuum, not allowing them to escape back into the air.
Weighing just 12.5 pounds, the Shark Navigator is easy to maneuver. Besides, the swivel steering makes it convenient for you to move the vac around furniture.
Don’t be fooled by the lighter weight; the vac works like a charm on laminate floors, thanks to the powerful motor.
Additionally, you can shut off the brush roll, preventing scratching on your laminate flooring. For cleaning the carpets, simply retrieve the brush roll, and get the best of both worlds.
As for the attachments, the vac comes with an upholstery tool, dusting brush, and a crevice tool.
Despite liking the suction, the reviewers were disappointed with the Shark Navigator’s design. One reviewer said that the vac was so unbalanced that even his cat could tip it over.
Also, some people did not like the cord placement as it enters the vac from the bottom. So, it will always be in your way while you’re cleaning.
I’d suggest looping it over the vacuum to keep the cord out of the way. Apart from that, the suction and maneuverability are as good as it gets.
If you want to save some money yet make your laminate floors spotless, this is the vac for you. Featuring a compact design with two-in-one functionality, the Eureka 196K is a top-performing vacuum cleaner for laminate floors.
Owing to the brush roll, you can use the vac for cleaning hard surface floors or deep carpet cleaning. Since the brush roll shuts off, it doesn’t cause any scratching or abrasion on laminate floors.
Moreover, you can convert the vac from stick form to a handheld version with a simple click. Plus, the crevice tool allows you to get into the nooks and crannies of your house for efficient cleaning.
Boasting a lower handle, the vacuum cleaner is easy to use and store. You can carry it comfortably from stairs to floors, without straining your back or hurting your arms.
More importantly, its powerful suction makes the Eureka 196K perfect to clean laminate floors. The motor delivers enough power for the vacuum to pick up anything from dust and pet hair to allergy-causing pollen.
All the waste passes through the washable filter and is prevented from going back into your home. Once the dust cup is full, you can empty it with a single touch, not touching the waste even once.
I highly appreciate that, along with being budget-friendly, the vacuum is also economical to maintain. It has a washable and long-lasting dust cup filter, so there’s no need for dust cup replacement.
Quite naturally, reviewers were also impressed with the same features. Most of them said that this is a versatile vacuum that can be used on any surface with equal effectiveness.
However, if you’re taller than six feet, try another vac because the handle on this one is a bit short.
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Being a professional housekeeper, it’s hard for me to relate, but I realize that not everyone is built for cleaning. If that’s you, the eufy BoostIQ RoboVac will be a life-changer for you and your home’s laminate floors.
The eufy BoostIQ RoboVac offers 100 minutes of non-stop powerful suction, one of the longest I’ve ever seen in a vacuum. Besides, the suction goes up to 1300Pa, sucking dirt, hair, and dust from every inch of your laminate floors.
Here’s the most interesting part. When the robot vac senses a stubborn or tough piece of dirt, it activates the Boost!Q Technology. As a result, the suction power increases in just 1.5 seconds to break even the toughest pet hair or dirt stuck to your laminate floors.
When I say this robot vac is smart, I’m not overplaying its features. First, it has an infrared sensor, which senses obstacles. Using this technology, the vacuum cleans around furniture legs and changes its path if your pet or kid is blocking the way.
Second, it recharges automatically. So, whenever you need it, the eufy BoostIQ RoboVac is ready for action.
Reviewers were delighted with this laminate floor robot vacuum, complimenting its high-end technology, performance, and run time. One reviewer said that she has a bump in her carpet, yet the robot vac senses it and never topples over.
Keep in mind that you have to clean the vacuum whenever you use it, considering its small storage size. However, that’s nothing to worry about, as emptying the dust cup is effortless, and the vac starts beeping when it gets full.
Overall, I’d say it’s a great robot vacuum for laminate floors that gets the job done, saving you from the toil of manual cleaning.
If you’re looking for a wet-dry vacuum cleaner for laminate floors, the Bissell Crosswave is an ideal option. It comes with a multi-surface brush roll to capture fur and dirt from hard surface floors without scratching them or breaking up the adhesion underneath.
Since it features two-tank technology, clean and dirty water never mix. As a result, you can rest easy knowing that dirty water never touches your floors.
Besides, there’s an in-built pet hair strainer, which filters pet hair from other dust particles. While the pet brush roll picks up hair from laminate floors without scratching them, the nylon brush removes pollen and dust.
The vac doesn’t just stop at picking up pet hair but also removes the odor. It comes with the Pet Multi-Surface formula, which reduces urine and pet hair odors to keep the air in your home smelling fresh and welcoming.
Mainly designed for cleaning up the mess left behind by your furry friends, the vacuum can clean up dirt and debris, too, owing to its multiple attachments and powerful suction.
Reviewers were pleased with this vac’s cleaning performance, some calling it the best laminate floor vacuum for pets.
Other pet owners had some concerns. Most of them said that it does a stellar job of cleaning. However, the vac disappoints when it comes to washing the floors. It leaves moisture on the surfaces you’ve just cleaned, especially if you’re using the scrub brush.
Other than this, the vac is pretty impressive in all other regards. Want to hear the best part? With every purchase of this vac, Bissell donates ten dollars to its pet foundation, which works for animal welfare.
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Before I go into detail about this cordless vacuum for laminate floors, let me tell you that it’s a bit hefty on the pocket. However, the BISSELL 2554A is so gentle and efficient on laminate floors that you’ll consider the splurge.
Featuring a 36V lithium battery, the BISSELL 2554A runs for up to 30 minutes, allowing you to clean the floors on one charge. Plus, it has an upgraded edge-cleaning functionality that picks up pet hair and dust accumulated in your rooms’ corners.
Since it boasts multi-surface cleaning, the BISSELL 2554A vacuum is safe for cleaning laminate floors. While the soft brushes prevent scratching, the wash feature lets you mop the floors as you clean.
Likewise, you can use the vacuum to capture messes from tile, rubber floor mats, linoleum, carpet, and sealed wood floors. If your area rugs need a fresh look, the vac can accomplish that too.
Once you’re done cleaning, the BISSELL 2554A’s self-cleaning cycle begins. It flushes out hair and dust from the filter, preparing it for the next use.
Like other Bissell vacuum cleaners, this model also has two-tank technology. Thus, the clean water never mixes with dirty water, ensuring ultimate cleanliness for your laminate floors.
Reviewers were happy with the vac’s performance since it’s useful for cleaning large and small messes alike.
However, the run time remains a huge issue. After charging the vac for four hours, you only get a 30-minute run time, which isn’t enough if you want to deep clean your home.
I’d suggest buying this vacuum only if you intend to use it regularly cleaning around the house. If you occasionally deep clean the space, read my review for the best stick vac below.
With 17kPA suction power and a 500W motor, the MOOSOO Corded stick vac is ideal for people who often deep clean their homes. Due to the strong suction, the vacuum is suitable for picking up even the toughest dirt from laminate floors without damaging them.
Additionally, it has a three-stage filtration system with HEPA filter integration. Thus, this stick vacuum for laminate floors will keep your home free of contaminants and allergens.
Another feature that makes MOOSOO Corded Stick perfect for vacuuming laminate floors is the rotatable brush head.
You have complete liberty to control the brush head’s direction, keeping it from accidentally scratching or breaking up the laminate floors. Also, the vac has a 23-feet power cord. Once you plug it in, you can clean the whole room without replugging it elsewhere.
Along with cleaning the floors, you can also use this vacuum to clean the vents and ceilings. The telescoping wand can be adjusted to clean surfaces up to 10 feet high. Since the vac only weighs 2.8 pounds, it’s easy to hold it above your head for cleaning elevated surfaces.
For narrow or hard-to-reach places, there’s a crevice tool that conveniently sucks particles of every size.
Most reviewers admitted that they were unsure about the vac due to its lower price range, but were smitten once they used it. Sure enough, this stick vacuum for laminate floors is a favorite among reviewers who use a single vac for cleaning stairs, ceilings, and floors.
Would you rather go for a canister vacuum? Well, I’ve got one for you below.
The Miele C1 is proof of superior German engineering with its high suction power and lightweight design. Equipped with a combination floor head, the canister vacuum is suitable for cleaning laminate floors without doing as little as leaving a mark on them.
It has six different suction modes, allowing you to adjust the suction according to the floors you’re cleaning. That’s a huge plus for people who need to clean laminate floor, carpet, and other surfaces in the house.
When I was supervising the housekeeping staff at a hotel, I often instructed my team to switch the vacuums for different floors. Lucky for you, the Miele C1 packs the functionality of six vacs in one, giving you an enhanced convenience of use.
Moreover, it features an AirClean System comprising the company’s trademark exhaust filter, motor protection filter, and filter bag. Let’s just say the room will be free of everything from dust to allergens once you run this vac.
The cleaning finesses of this vac isn’t limited to the filtration or suction modes. It has an impressive assortment of tools, including a dusting brush, crevice tool, and upholstery tool.
More importantly, you get a 7-year warranty on the motor. That’s an assurance that the vac is long-lasting and reliable. Reviewers loved the vacuum, with one of them calling it the ‘Holy Grail of Canister Vacuums.’
Need I say any more?
Having worked at a hotel – where people with different health conditions stay – I know a thing or two about vacuums for allergy sufferers. Let’s discuss that now.
If you have allergy-sufferers at home, the Shark Rotator can make it easier for them to breathe in your living room’s air. Equipped with Anti-allergen technology and HEPA filters, this vacuum removes allergens from air to make it safer and cleaner for your family.
Also, it’s convenient to use on laminate floors, due to the in-built LED lights. Often, it’s hard to spot dust on laminate floors as it camouflages against the floor colors.
However, the Shark Rotator illuminates the area you’re cleaning, exposing dust and dander. Plus, it features swivel steering for easy maneuverability around and under furniture.
With an 8.4-feet power cord, the vac is ideal for cleaning above the kitchen cabinets, ceilings, and vents. Besides, the additional cleaning tools facilitate cleaning the upholstery, narrow spaces, and pet messes.
Want to clean the whole house in one go? Fortunately, the vacuum has an XL-capacity dust cup, which can retain plenty of waste before filling up completely.
Moreover, the superior suction lets you remove tough dirt from every surface. Since it’s a Lift-Away design, you can use the vac for stair or overhead cleaning.
Although reviewers considered this Shark vac ideal for people who suffer from allergies, they were disappointed with the durability. Most of them complained about the vac breaking down after a few months of use.
I suggest understanding the warranty terms completely before buying this vacuum and strictly following the user’s manual to make the vac last longer.
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Now that I’ve discussed the best vacuums for cleaning laminate floors let’s ponder upon the factors you must consider before purchasing one. Remember that it’s not just the compatibility with laminate floors that comes into play.
You also have to consider the vacuum type, attachments, run time, shape, functionality, and weight. Let’s discuss all these factors in detail to make it easier for you to make an informed decision.
Corded vacs are more powerful as compared to their cordless counterparts. That’s because they’re directly getting energy from the power outlet. You can also use them for as long as you want without worrying about the battery running out.
But then again, they have some flaws too. Firstly, corded vacs are comparatively heavier than cordless models. Secondly, they are quite noisy because of their larger motors.
In contrast, cordless vacs are much quieter and lightweight. However, they are not as strong as corded vacuums, and most of them have short run times. All in all, not the best option for deep cleaning.
On the contrary, upright and stick vacs are easier to maneuver as they have adjustable telescoping wands. Some stick vacs, like the Shark Navigator, also feature lift-away designs. Thus, you can use them for overhead cleaning too.
Thus, if someone in your house suffers from dust allergies, you should opt for a vacuum with HEPA filtration. These vacuums can capture up to 99.9% allergens from the air, making it significantly cleaner.
Also, most of them come with anti-allergen seal technology that confines the allergens inside the filters, preventing them from going back into the air.
For instance, the Shark Rotator Professional Upright Corded Bagless Vacuum has both these features. Therefore, it should be a priority choice if you suffer from allergies or have allergy-sufferers at home.
The eufy BoostIQ RoboVac 11S (Slim) Robot Vacuum Cleaner is a robotic vacuum that can clean every surface from tile and carpet to a bare floor.
Since they eliminate manual labor, automatic vacs are suitable for people with backaches. Likewise, if you have an around-the-clock schedule, you can rely on a robot vac to keep your laminate floors clean.
Most automatic vacs connect to your smartphone through an app. You can control or monitor their performance and schedule cleaning times.
Read Full Review: How to Make Laminate Floors Shine
Let’s admit it: you’ve spent a lot of money on laminate floors and want them to last for years. However, most homeowners make a common mistake by using the wrong vacuum on their floors, reducing the floor’s lifespan, and damaging its texture.
To ensure that your laminate floors don’t suffer the same fate, I’ve discussed the best vacuums for laminate flooring. Apart from this significant requirement, make sure that you also consider the vac’s weight, functionality, and ease of use, among other features.
Now, it’s time for you to tell me:
Drop your feedback in the comments below.
About the Author
Jeneva has over years of passion for home decorating and cleaning. She is the founder and CEO of thehousewire.com where she provides honest and objective reviews on home and cleaning products.
