How to make my laminate wood floors shine

Laminate floors are durable, easy to maintain, and versatile. One of the greatest things about laminate is that it’s designed to look clean and shiny, and proper maintenance will ensure it stays this way. However, dirt buildup and residue from the wrong cleaning products can build up on laminate and make it dull. The secret to getting the shine back is thorough cleaning with the right type of cleaner, and avoiding certain products on the floor in the future.

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   Sweep or vacuum. Use a microfiber mop to remove dust and dirt from the floor. Alternatively, you can also vacuum the floor, but be sure to use the hard floor attachment to avoid scratching the laminate. Don’t use a vacuum that has a beater bar, as this can also scratch the floor.

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   Pick a cleaner. The haze that forms on many laminate floors is often caused by the wrong cleaners, including soap- and oil-based ones.[1] To remove this, your best bet will be a floor cleaner that’s specially formulated for laminate floors. However, you can also try a homemade cleaner for laminate. To do this, combine in a spray bottle:[2]

   • ½ cup (118 ml) of water
   • ½ cup (118 ml) of white vinegar
   • ½ cup (118 ml) of rubbing alcohol

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   Spray the cleaner directly onto the floor. Apply a thin and even layer of cleaner. Start with a section that’s small enough that you can reach the entire area with your mop without walking on the wet floor.[3] Laminate is not meant to get wet, so you should never apply large amounts of liquid to the floor.

   • Never clean laminate with a mop and bucket, as this will get the floor too wet.

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   Wipe the area with a microfiber mop. Use a clean, flat-head microfiber mop and wipe the entire section of floor in the direction of the grain. The surface of the floor should look slightly damp, but not overly wet.

   • Don’t use a sponge or string mop on laminate, as it can leave streaks, and leave too much moisture on the floor.

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   Work in small sections until the floor is clean. Take a few steps back and spray the next section of floor with your cleaner. Wipe the section with the microfiber mop. Continue spraying and mopping in small sections until the entire floor is clean.[4]

   • Once the entire floor has been cleaned, leave it to air dry for up to half an hour. Don’t let anybody walk on the floor while it’s still wet, or this could diminish the shine.

6. 6

   Buff the floor with a dry microfiber cloth. When the floor is dry, look at it in the light and check for spots that may still be dull. Use a clean, dry microfiber cloth to rub and buff these areas to restore the shine.[5]

   EXPERT TIP

   Kadi Dulude is the owner of Wizard of Homes, a New York City based cleaning company. Kadi manages a team of over 70 registered cleaning professionals, and her cleaning advice has been featured in Architectural Digest and New York Magazine.

   

   Kadi Dulude
   House Cleaning Professional

   Vacuum and dry dust your floors before mopping. Then, spray your cleaner directly onto the floor and use a lightly damp mop to clean. Once the floors are dry, go over them again with a dry cloth. If you want to add a quick, temporary shine for a special event, try using Holloway House's Quick Shine on your floors.

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   1

   Sweep or vacuum regularly. Dust and dirt can make your floor look dirty, and they can also cause scratches. Sweep or vacuum the floor at least once a week, and more often if you have kids, pets, or a particularly active house.[6]

   • When you vacuum, always use the hard floor attachment.

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   2

   Mop regularly with the right cleaner. Mop the floor at least once a week after you vacuum. Work in small sections by spraying cleaner directly onto the floor and wiping with a microfiber mop. To maintain the shine, use a commercial or homemade cleaner that’s specifically formulated for laminate.

   • To prevent dullness, don’t use cleaners that contain soaps, oils, or harsh chemicals.[7]

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   Use floor mats at entrances. Floor mats aren't just good for welcoming guests to your house, and they're also designed to catch dirt, mud, dust, moisture, and other particles that might get dragged in from outside. Using mats at entrances will help keep your floor cleaner, and reduce how often you have to sweep and mop.[8]

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   Clean spills immediately. Laminate floor is very durable, but it’s not meant to get wet. As soon as food spills on the floor, pick up solid waste with a spoon or a towel. Wipe up any liquids, puddles, or spills that end up on the floor with a cloth or towel.

   • Laminate that stays wet for too long can warp or be otherwise damaged.

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   Never wax or polish the floor. Laminate floor is designed to be shiny, so you never have to wax or polish it. In fact, these substances can damage and dull the floor rather than making it shine.[9]

   • To keep the floor shiny, mop it regularly with a laminate-formulated cleaner.

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   Avoid abrasive cleaning pads. Laminate floor can scratch easily, so don’t use scrubbing pads or abrasive cleaners to maintain the floor. The best cleaning material for the floor is a soft, lint-free cloth or microfiber.

   • Abrasive scrubbers include steel wool, scrubbing pads, and scrubbing sponges.

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   Don’t use wet cleaning methods. Steam and other liquids will damage and warp the laminate. Avoid any type of water-based cleaning system on your laminate floor, including steamers, mop-and-bucket, or even spray mops.[10]

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   Use protective pads on furniture. To prevent scratches caused by chair legs, table legs, and other furniture, install felt pads on the bottom of all furniture that touches the laminate. For chair and table legs, you can use small round pads. For larger and heavier furniture, use wider pads to protect the floor.[11]

Add New Question

• Question

  How do I get the shine back on a laminated floor?

  

  Follow the steps in this article. Apply floor wax to give a laminated floor shine, like they do in stores and schools.

• Question

  Can I use a steamer with the white vinegar solution?

  

  Never use a steam mop on laminate, solid hardwood, or engineered hardwood flooring. The moisture from the steam is too much for the flooring to handle, possibly causing the floor to buckle or warp and voiding your warranty.

• Question

  My husband used bleach on my floor and now it looks white and dull. What do I do to get my shine back?

  

  You don't. You will have to replace the flooring. Laminate is virtually a picture of a wood floor that is then imposed on vinyl and glued to the planking below. The bleach erased the picture.

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• If you're interested in adjusting the coloring of your laminate look into staining your laminate flooring.

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Article SummaryX

To get the shine back on a laminate floor, use a specially formulated cleaning product to prevent haziness, or you can try a homemade cleaner made of equal parts of white vinegar, rubbing alcohol, and water. Spray the cleaner onto a small section of the floor, then use a flat-head microfiber mop to wipe the entire section in the direction of the grain. Continue spraying and mopping in small sections until the entire floor is clean. Leave it to air dry for 30 minutes, then buff it with a microfiber cloth to restore the shine. If you want to learn more, like how to prevent damage to your laminate floors, keep reading the article!

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