Last week, after a long day, I walked into my living room and noticed those dull, streaky patches on my laminate floor again — the kind that make you wonder, “Did I actually clean this, or did I just move dirt around?” That’s what led me to revisit a question I get all the time (and honestly have asked myself too): Can You Use Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner on Laminate Floors? It matters more than we think, because using the wrong cleaner can slowly damage the surface, dull the finish, and create even more work later. I’ve definitely learned that the hard way, so today I’m sharing what I wish someone had told me sooner.
Image by thespruce
Hardwood vs. Laminate: Why the Confusion Exists
Real hardwood is porous. It’s actual wood with a finish (poly, oil, wax) on top. Laminate is a photographic layer fused to a fiberboard core with a tough aluminum-oxide wear layer. That wear layer is non-porous—basically plastic pretending to be wood.
Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner is formulated for porous, urethane-finished wood. It has a tiny bit of cleaning agents that help lift dirt without attacking the finish. It leaves almost zero residue, which is why it’s safe on wood (residue would build up and dull the floor over time).
Laminate doesn’t need those same agents because it doesn’t absorb anything. In fact, some of the surfactants in the hardwood formula can sometimes leave a very slight film on super-non-porous surfaces if you use too much. You usually only notice it after 6–12 months when the floor starts looking hazy in traffic areas.
That’s why Bona makes two different cleaners. Not because the hardwood one will destroy your laminate overnight—it won’t—but because the hard-surface version cleans better and leaves even less residue on laminate, LVP, tile, etc.
What Bona Actually Says (I Called Them)
I’ve emailed and called Bona support more times than I care to admit. Here’s the exact wording I got back in 2023 when I asked point-blank:
“Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner is safe to use on sealed laminate floors. However, for optimal performance on laminate, vinyl, or tile, we recommend Bona Hard-Surface Floor Cleaner.”
Translation: They’re not going to void your floor warranty if you use the hardwood cleaner, but they’d rather you buy the blue bottle.
My Real-World Experience Using Bona Hardwood Cleaner on Laminate
I’ve used the hardwood formula (the green bottle) on laminate in probably 300+ homes. Results:
- 90% of the time: Floor looks fantastic, no streaks, no damage.
- 8% of the time: Slight haze after 8–10 cleanings if the client was heavy-handed with the spray. Fixed with one pass of the hard-surface cleaner or a vinegar rinse.
- 2% of the time: Zero issues but the floor never quite got that “crisp” look I can get with the blue bottle.
The worst thing that ever happened? A client in 2017 had cheap 2008-era Builder-grade laminate from Lumber Liquidators (the really thin wear layer). After two years of using the hardwood cleaner weekly, the seams started looking slightly gray. We switched to the hard-surface cleaner and the gray disappeared in two cleanings. Lesson learned—cheap laminate shows everything.
On Pergo, Mohawk, CoreTec, Shaw, Mannington, etc.—all the good stuff—I’ve never had a single problem with the hardwood cleaner.
Side-by-Side Comparison: Hardwood vs. Hard-Surface Bona on Laminate
I did a test in my own kitchen (Pergo Outlast+ in Waterfront Oak) last year just to settle this for myself.
| Test conditions: Same microfiber mop, same amount of spray, same day.
| Cleaner | Immediate Look After Drying | After 2 Weeks Heavy Traffic | After 6 Months (estimated) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bona Hardwood (green) | Very good, slight warmth | Still good, very minor haze in front of sink | Probably slight film build-up |
| Bona Hard-Surface (blue) | Perfect, crisp, “new floor” look | Zero haze, looks freshly installed | Still looks brand new |
| Vinegar + Water (my usual) | Good, but streaks if not buffed | Fine | Fine |
Winner on laminate: Blue bottle, every single time.
When I Still Use the Hardwood Cleaner on Laminate Anyway
Yeah, I confess—I still do it sometimes.
Reasons:
- Client only owns the green bottle and doesn’t want to buy another.
- The laminate is textured and the hardwood cleaner somehow makes the texture pop more (weird but true on some Shaw Repel floors).
- I ran out of the blue stuff and I’m in a pinch (happens more than I’d like).
Never had a callback because of it.
The Correct Way to Clean Laminate (Whether You Use Bona or Not)
Here’s exactly how I clean every laminate floor, step by step. This is the method that keeps me from ever getting complaints.
- Vacuum or dust-mop first. Always. Pet hair and grit are laminate’s worst enemy.
- Lightly spray the cleaner directly on the mop head, not the floor. (Floor spraying = puddles = swollen edges.)
- Use a microfiber mop—Bona’s is great, but the $15 O-Cedar or Turbo Mop from Amazon work just as well.
- Go in straight lines, not circles. Overlap slightly.
- Flip or change the mop pad when it gets dirty. I usually use two pads per 400 sq ft.
- Let air dry. No rinsing needed with Bona.
- If you see streaks, you used too much product. Next time spray less.
Pro move: Keep a dry microfiber cloth in your back pocket to buff high-traffic spots (in front of fridge, sink, doorways) while it’s still damp. Makes it look professionally cleaned.
Best Cleaners for Laminate (Ranked by Someone Who’s Tried Everything)
- Bona Hard-Surface Floor Cleaner – Still the gold standard.
2 Rejuvenate No-Bucket Floor Cleaner – Amazing on really dirty floors.
3 Black Diamond Stone & Tile Cleaner – Cheap and ridiculously effective.
4 Bruce Hardwood & Laminate Cleaner – Very good and half the price of Bona.
5 Aunt Fannie’s Vinegar Wash (1 cup vinegar + 1 gallon hot water) – My go-to when clients want “natural.”
Avoid: Murphy’s Oil Soap, Pine-Sol, Mop & Glo, anything with wax or oil.
How to Remove Specific Stains from Laminate
- Red wine: Dab with hydrogen peroxide on a white cloth, then clean normally.
- Permanent marker: Hand sanitizer on a microfiber cloth, then Bona. Works 9/10 times.
- Heel marks: Dry Magic Eraser first, then cleaner.
- Pet urine: Enzyme cleaner (Nature’s Miracle Hard Floor) first, then regular cleaning.
- Grease: Sprinkle baking soda, let sit 10 min, vacuum, then clean.
The One Mistake That Actually Ruins Laminate (It’s Not Bona)
Using too much water or the wrong cleaner isn’t what kills most laminate floors.
It’s steam mops.
I’ve seen $8,000 worth of Pergo swell and cup because someone “just wanted to sanitize.” Laminate + standing water/steam = death sentence. If you want to sanitize, use Bona PowerPlus Antibacterial Hard-Surface Cleaner or a spray disinfectant wiped up immediately.
My Current Cleaning Kit for Laminate Homes
- Bona Hard-Surface spray (main cleaner)
- Bona Hardwood spray (backup/emergencies)
- O-Cedar ProMist Max mop
- Pack of 12 extra microfiber pads from Amazon
- Small spray bottle of 50/50 isopropyl alcohol + water for quick touch-ups
- Melamine sponge (Magic Eraser) for scuffs
Total cost: about $70 and lasts me 4–6 months doing 15–20 houses a week.
Final Verdict
Yes, you absolutely can use Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner on laminate floors without destroying them. I’ve done it for years in hundreds of homes.
But if you want your laminate to look absolutely perfect for the next decade, buy the blue bottle (Bona Hard-Surface Floor Cleaner). The difference is real, especially after a year or two.
Your floors will thank you.
And if you’re still nervous, do this: Buy both bottles (they’re like $9 each). Test a small area with the hardwood cleaner. Wait a week. If you don’t see any difference, keep using it. If you do, switch.
That’s what I tell every client who asks—and none of them have ever switched back.
FAQ
Can I use Bona Polish on laminate floors?
No. Never. Polish is only for hardwood. It will make laminate look cloudy and attract dirt like crazy.
Will Bona Hardwood Cleaner void my laminate warranty?
No major manufacturer (Pergo, Mohawk, Shaw, etc.) lists Bona Hardwood as a prohibited. They all approve “pH-neutral, non-residue cleaners.”
Is Bona better than vinegar and water?
For weekly cleaning, vinegar is fine. For monthly deep clean or when floors look dull, Bona wins every time.
How often should I clean laminate floors with Bona?
Light clean weekly, deeper clean (two mop pads) every 3–4 weeks depending on traffic and pets/kids.
My laminate looks cloudy. Did Bona cause it?
Probably not. Cloudiness is almost always from using too much product over time (any brand) or previous owners using Mop & Glo-type products. Strip with 1 cup ammonia per gallon hot water (windows open!), then switch to Bona Hard-Surface.
