How best to clean my floor?

Question

Our newly rented house has laminate wood flooring which I mop with special for laminate product but they seem to remain very dull, like they've not been cleaned at all. Any tips?

Answer 1

orange glow for wood floors

Answer 2

After installing your laminate floors the next thing that you need to learn about is how to care for and clean your laminate floors. The first thing that you should know about cleaning laminate flooring is that it designed to only need minimal care. It is a good idea to sweep your laminate regularly. By sweeping your floor you will be removing dirt and debris that could eventually wear down the finish on your laminate floor.

Some laminate flooring manufacturers also recommend that you use a cleaning solution periodically to remove sticky substances from your floor, or to remove mud and other moist debris. These cleaners are also recommended on a periodic basis to help restore the finish of your laminate floor. The manufacturer of your flooring product probably will have their own brand of laminate floor cleaner and refinishing spray. You can also use a simple solution of water and vinegar to clean your flooring. Never use any flooring products, such as waxes, that are designed for hard wood floors. Laminate flooring is manufactures with a wax-free surface to keep your floor looking new. :)

Answer 3

Proper care of your floor prevents damage, extends its life and keeps it looking new for years. How do you properly care for your flooring?

If you enjoy going barefoot or even if you don't, kick your shoes off at the door. Why remove your shoes? If you have a rough board that needs smoothing you grab a sheet of sandpaper for the job. Guess what's on the bottom of your shoes? Sand and dirt grind away at the fibers in your carpet causing them an early death.

A closer look at the bottoms of those shoes and you'll find oil, dirt and heaven only knows how many tidbits of left over dog deposits. Small wonder why your floor stubbornly refuses to come clean. Do wear slippers or socks inside. The oil from the bottom of your feet also dirties your floors.
Always vacuum or dust hard floor surfaces before mopping.





Clean your wood floors with ½ cup vinegar in a gallon of water. If you have been using a vegetable oil on your floor increase the vinegar to 1 cup per gallon of water. Go over your floor several times to remove the residue. Rinse with warm water and dry. Vegetable oil cleaners can leave a residue on wood floors that can deteriorate the sealant over time.





* Laminated Floor Caution: the manufacturers of some laminated wood floors now recommend cleaning them with ammonia. We prefer only vinegar and water. As you saw in the linoleum floor section, ammonia is used to strip the wax off floors. It may do the same to the sealant on most laminated floors.



Self-wringing mops can leave excess water on the floor, which works between the boards warping the edges. Then sanding and refinishing becomes necessary. Water also contains alkaline, the culprit behind water spot damage on glass shower doors. It leaves damaging water spots on your wood floors. Vinegar neutralizes the alkaline helping to eliminate the problem.









To clean hardwood or laminated floors mix ½ cup distilled white vinegar in a gallon of water. Dampen a towel in the mixture and wring out all the excess moisture. Use the towel as your mop. No need to rinse. Dry the floor if necessary.

Answer 4

Try rinsing and drying with clear water and clean soft cloths, towels or paper towels. If this doesn't work, there might be wax (no-no on laminate) or polish buildup on the surface. You can test for those in an inconspicuous area (closet floor or remote corner area) with any recommended strong laminate cleaner.

Answer 5

Well, try washing it again and using some white vinegar in the water. That may help.

You may have buildup.

I have real wood floors. I have hit the laminate tile with my wood cleaner and it makes it dull. Try something for kitchen floors, not wood.

Answer 6

These floors do not have a high shine to them. The best way I have found to wash them is with ammonia and water. Then throw some towels on the floor and dry them.

Answer 7

Windex. It's not wood but plastic laminate.

Answer 8

Well try mixing a few tablespoons of vingegar in with your mixture. You might want to use rubber gloves though, because the acid can damage your hands badly!

Answer 9

I would suggest getting the Hoover floormate series. This unit actually scrubs your floor. I own one and I have been very satisfied with it.

Answer 10

Swifter Wet Jet......simple.....easy.....deff affordable and i know many people who use it on their laminate floors and makes them shiner. :)