How to clean laminate floors without leaving a film

Why are laminate floors susceptible to film buildup?

At the beginning of this article, we mentioned that proper maintenance is key to extending the life of laminate floors. This is 100% true due to inadequate cleaning maintenance and products containing wax or oil (to achieve a shiny effect). These ingredients should not be on your floors as they will be susceptible to film buildup.

Often, floor cleaning products contain wax or oil (to achieve a shiny effect). These ingredients should not be on your floors as they will form a film on the floor surface over time.

Likewise, insufficient regular or thorough cleaning can worsen the condition of laminate floors, resulting in an unsightly layer of accumulated grime.

What are the most essential tools and supplies for cleaning?

Microfiber mops and cloths

People often use microfiber mops and cloths because they absorb dirt, dust, and moisture very well. In addition, this material does not leave traces or tiny hairs after cleaning, so it is suitable for cleaning almost all surfaces in your home.

The best types of cleaning solutions (pH-neutral, laminate-specific).

Choose quality, not brand. For the maintenance and care of laminate floors, choose products without wax and oil. They will effectively remove grime and stains, not leave a film, and will not damage the floor.

Spray bottles and buckets

A bucket is necessary to mix the water with the cleaner in the bucket, and spray bottles are extremely useful for evenly spreading the cleaner over the surface, especially when you want to reach small or hard-to-reach areas of the laminate floor.

Optional tools: soft-bristled brooms, vacuum cleaners with soft brush attachments

Among other tools for cleaning laminate floors, you can use brooms with soft fibers and vacuum cleaners with soft brush attachments to avoid scratching the laminate surface. With these tools, you will pick up dust and other impurities from the floor and prepare the surface for the next cleaning stage. 

What are the best cleaning products for laminate?

It is important to decide what you will use the product for: cleaning parquet, tiles, or laminate. All three materials require adequate care, and the products’ purpose is indicated on the packaging. When thinking about how to clean laminate floors without leaving a film and in the most effective way, always remember that you need a product without aggressive ingredients that can damage the floor’s surface layer or fade its color.

Vinegar cleaner for laminate floors – Is it effective?

A homemade mixture of vinegar and water is a proven effective way to clean various surfaces in your home.

What is good to know if you want to clean laminate floors with this solution?

Vinegar can be harmful if used in a concentration that is too strong. You can mix one cup of vinegar with one gallon of warm water. This mixture will be effective enough to clean but not too strong to damage the laminate.

Step-by-step cleaning of laminates

Step 1: Preparation

Move out all unnecessary objects from the floor. After that, vacuum the floor. 

Step 2: Choosing the Right Cleaning Solution

Choose a cleaning product according to the tips shared in the text.

Step 3: Moping Technique

What is important here? It is important that the mop is well drained because laminate floors don’t like water, and make sure to keep that in mind.

When the water becomes dirty, change it and continue.

Step 4: Drying the Floor

Let the floor dry before moving furniture or walking on it.

How to prevent film buildup on laminates?

The following tips will help you to know how to clean laminate floors without leaving a film.

Regular light cleaning

Regular light cleaning: Use cotton or microfiber cloths or mops to remove dust and dirt. This will prevent grime buildup that can affect the look of your floor and form a film on the surface.

Using doormats to trap dirt and debris

Floor mats help prevent dirt particles, little stones, and other debris from scratching the laminate. That’s why you should definitely have them in front of the front door.

Avoiding excessive water during cleaning

If you want to avoid this, use only a slightly damp cloth or mop.

Proper storage of cleaning supplies

You have to store cleaning products in original packaging according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Avoiding oily or waxy cleaning products

As we have already highlighted several times, pay attention to the product’s composition and avoid cleaning products that contain oil and wax.

How to deep clean laminate floors?

Although regular maintenance can keep your floors in good condition, deep cleaning is sometimes necessary. This is necessary if stubborn stains or other dirt have accumulated over time. If you want to ensure that your floors are thoroughly cleaned without the risk of damage, consider hiring professional cleaners. Our team can help you a lot because we offer floor cleaning services. In that case, you will be worry-free about how to clean laminate floors without leaving a film.

How to remove special stains?

It is not a problem to remove a layer of dust from a laminate floor, but what should you do when another stain occurs there?

Scuff marks

Sometimes, scuff marks appear on the laminate. Don’t worry; this can be removed quite easily in several different ways.

You can try to remove it with a rubber eraser or apply soda paste. Dab a mix of olive oil and vinegar and allow it to sit for a while. After a few minutes, wipe that area with a clean cloth.

Paint

Paint is also simple to wipe off. In this case you can try a mixture of vinegar, soap, and warm water. 

Bubble gums and wax

This sounds tricky, right? This can be fixed as well. 

Try to solve the problem by slowly removing the gum or wax with a plastic knife or plastic scraper (never use sharp objects!). If you notice that you are not making progress in this way, use ice – freeze it and then scrape it with light movements.

Nail polish

Nail polish remover will remove this. Wet a cotton pad and rub it over the stain.

How to prevent your floor from damages?

To keep laminate floors in good condition for as long as possible, cleaning them properly and regularly. Remember, laminate does not like water, so when you use a mop, make sure it is well wrung out.

For furniture, you can use felt pads on the legs of chairs and tables because moving these objects can cause scratches on the floor, affecting the overall look of your laminate. You can also protect the laminate by having carpets or rugs in your home.