How to Clean Laminate Floors Without Leaving a Film or Streaks
What You Will Need to Follow This Tutorial?
There are many reasons your laminate floors lose their shine and become dirty, so in this tutorial, we'll be going through every step necessary for cleaning them. Feel free to follow every step to get the best result or to tweak these steps to better suit your personal preferences.
Here are all items required to clean laminate wood floors without leaving film:
- A vacuum cleaner for laminate floors – it's handy for collecting dust and debris on the floors. Make sure that the machine comes with the right brushes for cleaning your laminate floors.
- A floor mop with microfiber pads – you will need it to get rid of all remaining stains and marks on the floors. The microfiber pads will guarantee that you won't scratch the floors.
- Cleaning solution - any all-purpose laminate floor cleaner would do the job and some rubbing alcohol is suggested if you want to improve the drying speed. You can also clean laminate floors with vinegar if you don't have the cleaner solution.
- PU sealer solution (polyurethane coating) – depending on your type of laminate floor, get the correct PU sealer to maintain the protective coating over the surfaces. Think of it as a clear shield that adds a glossy, water-resistant layer and prevents residue buildup.
- Cross linker (hardening agent) – depending on your choice of PU sealer product, get the recommended cross linker. This helps the sealer cure properly and last longer. The product label will tell you the exact ratio needed.
- A small container – use this to store your PU sealer solution.
- A paint brush with soft bristles – you'll need this to apply the coating to the edges of the floors.
- A microfiber paint roller – use this to finish applying the PU sealer.
Step by Step Instructions
Not sure where to start? Here's my exact process for deep cleaning laminate floors and eliminating hazes and films permanently.
Step 1 - Vacuum Your Floor
I start by vacuuming the entire floor. I use a Dyson V10, which offers powerful suction and a soft roller cleaner head that's more suitable for laminate floors. This vacuum has been a game-changer for keeping my floors debris-free between deep cleans.
Attach the soft roller and turn on the machine to move the cleaner head along the surface of the floor. Work backward from one end of the room to the other so you won't step on cleaned areas and dirty them. Go over the floor a few times to remove any pieces of debris and dust, preparing them for the next step.
Prior to cleaning, you must vacuum the floor
Step 2 - Mop the Floor
For mopping the laminate floors, I'm using a spray mop that offers soft and washable microfiber pads.
Start by adding the cleaning solution to the water tank on the spray mop, then proceed to dilute with water according to the product label. I also add two and a half cups of rubbing alcohol. Why? It speeds up drying time. This matters because laminate isn't fully water-resistant, and excess moisture can cause cloudy streaks.
The first time I tried this rubbing alcohol trick, I was skeptical. But watching my floors dry in half the time? Total game-changer, especially if you have kids or pets tracking through the house.
Once your cleaning solution is ready, mop the floor by following the same pattern you used when vacuuming. Avoid stepping on mopped areas so you won't smudge them and create streaks along the way. Press the spray handle to apply the cleaning solution every once in a while, covering the entire floor. When you reach the end of the floor, let it dry before moving on to the next step.
Before using the sealant, mop it clean
Step 3 - Apply the PU Sealer
Most laminate floors come with a final coating layer from the manufacturer, which protects the wooden surfaces from harmful substances while providing them with a natural shine. But in most cases, this layer is inadequate against daily wear and tear.
I learned about the PU sealer the hard way. After noticing dull spots appearing after just six months, I realized the factory coating wasn't enough. Now I reapply every year and my floors still look showroom-fresh.
You'll need to re-apply the coating every once in a while to maintain the shine on your wooden floors and protect them from scratches. The following steps will show you how to restore that kind of finish you'd see in a showroom.
With your floor already cleaned and dry, start mixing the cross linker with the PU sealer solution. Pour them into the container and mix according to the manufacturer's ratio (usually printed on the label) until fully combined. Then start applying the solution to the edges of the floor using the soft-bristle paint brush. Dip and brush the PU sealer over the edges, and remember to apply only a thin layer. Next, pour out some PU sealer and use the paint roller to apply it on the floor. Repeat the step a few times before you finish coating the whole surface.
Let your floor dry untouched for at least 2 hours before you start walking on it. For better results, you can also add another layer of coating once the first one has dried.
Use the PU sealer to improve protection and gloss
Step 4 - Take Care of Your Floor With Daily Maintenance
The most important step for keeping laminate floors film-free is taking good care of them daily. Here's what works for me.
Start by treating your laminate wood floors with care. Avoid walking on them with hard shoes and heels. If you have pets, clip their nails regularly to minimize scratch damage. My two Labs taught me this lesson quickly.
A well-maintained floor surface only needs cleaning with water, but you should do this regularly. Follow the instructions from step two to continue mopping your floor daily. It won't take much time and you can keep the floor looking spotless.
Final Thoughts
With these straightforward instructions on how to clean laminate floors without leaving a film, you'll find this tutorial easy to follow. Make sure to follow the steps to clean and restore your laminate floors. Depending on the current state of your laminate floors, you won't necessarily have to follow the entire process. Clean as needed and you can have spotless laminate floors that will last for years.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
- 01. Why Do My Laminate Floors Show Footprints?
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Most of the time, if you walk on the floors with dirty shoes or feet, then footprints can easily show up. And even if your feet are clean but still wet, the moisture can leave marks on the laminated surfaces, which will eventually form hazes and films.
To eliminate them, you can walk around your house in house slippers. Or you can keep your socks on when stepping on your laminate floors to minimize the impacts. The key to cleaning laminate floors without leaving a film is preventing moisture buildup in the first place.
- 02. Should You Mop Laminate Floors?
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The microfiber floor mops are certainly the best laminate floor cleaner machine as it helps you get rid of dirt and stains in a matter of seconds with just water. But some people are still concerned about water damaging their laminated wood floors.
While woods aren't water-resistant, most of your laminated floors come with a protective coating layer to keep it shiny and prevent water from penetrating. So, there is no problem with mopping your floors daily. Just maintain the seal with new layers of coating every once in a while.
- 03. How Do I Get My Laminate Floors to Shine Again?
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Depending on the current state of your floors, you can follow the steps above to get them clean and shiny again. Sometimes, all it takes is a mopping session to get rid of all the stains and dirt.
But if the coating on your laminate floors is getting thin, you'll need to apply my deep cleaning and coating steps from step three. For high-traffic areas like entryways or kitchens, you might need to reapply the PU sealer more frequently than other parts of your home.
