How do you clean laminate flooring? There is wax/oil on parts of the flooring, because my boyfriend in the past made the mistake of putting wax on the flooring? Now it looks terrible and uneven and we are trying to get rid of it? How can we do this? What products will work? Should I hire someone to this? Any info will help.
Thanks,
Stefanie from San Francisco
We put a wood grain laminate on our kitchen. It is the kind that comes in wide strips like wood planks and is about the same thickness as the stuff that used to be sold from a large roll. I was afraid of vinegar because of the acid content. About once a week I clean it with hot salt water. It comes clean and leaves no streaks. (04/08/2008)
By Marty Dick
The floor company that installed my laminate floors told us not to use Swiffers cloths on the floor. The fibers get trapped between the boards and will ruin the floors (05/04/2008)
By Elizabeth
Johnson's No Buff and Wax will do the trick. Get it a Lowes. Use a soft rag to apply evenly. Do not use a sponge mop. (05/05/2008)
By BSC
After buying the green Bruce and a Swiffer-type flat mop that came with the kit, I just redid my floor for the 3rd time. The Bruce and the Swiffer-type mop left the floor dull. Then I used a wood floor cleaner (Murphy's Oil Soap) which left streaks from the mop. The third and final time I used vinegar and water with a used face cloth and then an old small towel to dry. That finally did the trick, whew! (05/08/2008)
By Scott in AZ
It's impossible to keep floors dry as we have several big dogs who live in the house. They take a drink of water and trail it through the house. I used Windex and dry mop, and it cleans, but floor looks dull. I recently used my steamer lightly and it cleaned great, lots of dirt. But floor is very dull.
(06/06/2008)
By Ali
It's like the movie, My Big Fat Greek Wedding. Everything can be cured with Windex. I'm using the Windex Vinegar variety and that is working extremely well for me at the moment. I have Shaw laminate floors. (06/21/2008)
By Dan C.
I did a ton of research and just bought this for my laminate : LamanatorPlus Restoration.
It protects, seals, stops tracking and footprints, hides scratches, provides new look and shine for all laminate and pre-finished hardwood. Works great on Bamboo floors. Retail Price is $33.98 Look for other LamanatorPlus Products. (06/28/2008)
By Amanda
I installed Armstrong laminate flooring downstairs. I have a 6 year old and a dog. I also have several visiting neighborhood kids. Prior to even considering removing the carpet I did a ton of research on hardwood vs. laminate. From the installers, manufacturer, to the vendors who sell it, all of them specifically state stay away from Swiffers, hardwood cleaners, waxing or shine products, Shark steamers, etc. They also state avoid excessive moisture. Every single person I spoke to during my decision process and after installation specifically stated using the manufacturer's solution or a very light mist of vinegar and water. If your friends or family are giving you advice look on the Internet first and not just these sites. Go to the flooring experts or manufacturer's site.
I have had my floors for 6 months and not once have I lost the shine on my floors with as much activity as I have in my house. My floors will continue to look new because I don't listen to friends and family when they didn't make the investment on my floors. I am surrounded by people who think they "know everything". I would prefer to listen to the experts.
I use my Roomba to sweep and dust and then use a dry dust mop with lambskin and a misting bottle to clean the footprints and streaks from every day wear. Stay away from anything used for mopping your tile, vinyl, or hardwood floors. Never use anything on your laminate floors that is for hardwood, ever. Never use any solution that is for waxing, shine, etc. unless you know for a fact the manufacturer or laminate floor experts agree it is OK. If you don't, you will have dull floors until you make another investment to replace what was ruined. (07/06/2008)
I have had a terrible problem with my Pergo laminate floor. My color is brandied dark cherry and it shows everything. I started using Orange Glo and the first few times it looked great. Then, over a year of doing this at least once per week, my floors are dark and nasty looking. I went looking for help and found the answer to my prayers. Another member suggested Awesome cleaner from your local Dollar Tree or Dollar Store. It really works. I spray it on, let it set for a couple of minutes and then scrape off. Of course it will take a while, but it is worth it. I have bought about ten bottles and hope to finish this weekend. I am so thankful for that poster. Please try Awesome. It will get your floors back and then just go with vinegar mix. (09/03/2008)
By Tammy
We have DuPont laminate floors and they are great! I just clean them with water and a few drops of dishwashing liquid with a microfibre cloth and they look clean and streak-free.
Our neighbor has Pergo floors and she has all the problems mentioned in the other posts. She tried water and dishwashing liquid but that did not help either. My advice : Don't go for Pergo, go for Dupont. (09/20/2008)
By Clean Freak
We use Bruce and a Swiffer. Bruce spray for laminate floors in a green bottle, and a Swiffer. Makes my floors look amazing! And it's cheap. (10/07/2008)
We had Pergo floors put in two years ago. The manufacturer suggest only vinegar and water. This is all I use. It will keep your floors from fading and a keep the original shine. As soon as I am done mopping the floor, I get a big old clean towel, put it down on the floor - stand on the towel and go around the room and dry the floor (only takes about two minutes). Your floor will dry beautifully without any streaks. (10/10/2008)
By Diane
I have laminate floors, had them installed about 10 months ago. I Swiffer sweep them twice a week and then spray the Swiffer with water to get up the heavy dust, hair,and dirt. This method works just fine. For spot cleaning I use a wet Magic Eraser. It works wonders. I love my floors! (10/13/2008)
By April
I think I found the perfect solution for getting a shine on your laminate floors, I went to Walmart and bought a cloth in the car department, it's for cleaning your car without water. The cloth has a nap to it, and you never wash it, the dirtier it gets, the better it works. I've only used this cloth on my car in the past, but today used it on my floors that are laminate, it did shine them and they're not slippery. I did get up all the dust before I used the cloth. Good Luck.
(10/26/2008)
By Lou
DO NOT USE WINDEX! If you have a shiny finish on your laminate like me. It will start to dull in areas. Read on the label through the back of the bottle. It says not to use on wood or laminate floors. I am going to try the vinegar and water. Keep your fingers crossed. (10/27/2008)
By Elaine
I have the perfect thing for cleaning your laminated wood floors. Is a (Shark) steam vac. It's light and very easy to use. There is a soft cloth on the bottom and all you do is add water to it and the steam goes through the cloth onto your floor and cleans it like you wouldn't believe and you don't have to worry about what it will do to your floor except make it shiny and clean.
(10/28/2008)
ByTyra
I have had laminate floors for years, and they still look good. I use a soft bristle broom to sweep the floor, or use a dust mop. Another great product is an electric broom. They are very hard to find, however. I also use throw rugs.
I like Swiffer cleaner, and sometimes I use a solution of 1/3 water, 1/3 vinegar, and 1/3 alcohol. I don't like the smell of vinegar, so I am wondering about adding fragrance, but do not know what to use. Any suggestions?
I cannot guarantee the aforementioned solution, and don't want anyone to be upset if they use it, so try this in a small area first that isn't noticeable. I have Columbia laminate, and I love it. (11/09/2008)
By Kentucky-Lass
We had laminate floors put into our home last year, due to the fact that we foster dogs. I've found several good tips for everyone here.
By Carolyn - Denton Humane Society
I just had Bruce Park Avenue Laminate floor put in my computer room, and spare bedroom. I was told by the installer to never spray the cleaner directly on the floor but to spray it on the microfiber mop. (12/21/2008)
By CM
I have Pergo floors and I hate it! I would rather have carpet and vacuum it 2 times a day! But the only thing I have found that works is Orange Glow, you can buy the kit with mop and mop cloth with the cleaner at Wal-mart for $12.00. (02/11/2009)
By trisha D
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