Laminate flooring comprises several layers that are fused with a lamination process.
Laminate floors can look like wood or stone but require less maintenance. The top layer of a laminate floor is also coated with aluminum oxide, which makes it highly resistant to scratches and wear.
There are many easy ways to keep your laminate floors clean and sparkling:
- Always sweep or vacuum regularly and use a laminate-formulated floor cleaner (spray it on).
- Mop occasionally, air-dry the room after you’ve cleaned, and buff any dull spots.
- You should avoid using wax or abrasive pads – these can damage your floors.
- You can make your laminate floors shiny using DIY cleaners, dry buffing, or polishing.
- To clean laminate floors, sweep the debris with a soft broom or vacuum with a hard floor attachment.
- Make use of cleaners designed specifically for laminate floors and avoid oil-based products.
- You can make a DIY laminate floor cleaner with water, vinegar, and rubbing alcohol.
In this blog post, we’ll share tips on restoring the luster of your floors. So read on for help!
3 Ways To Make Your Laminate Floors Shiny
Laminate floors are known for their shine and durability, but the shine starts wearing off over time.
Let’s explore a few simple steps to restore the shine to your laminate floors:
1. Using DIY Cleaners
Vinegar & Water Solution
The best DIY cleaner is a simple cleaning solution with equal parts white vinegar and water.
This solution helps remove dirt and grime from the surface of your laminate floors. It also helps to restore their natural sheen.
Hot Water, Dish Soap & Vinegar
Over time laminate floors tend to develop a waxy, sticky layer that’s hard to get rid of with regular soaps.
A combination of hot water, dish soap, and vinegar work perfectly to remove the sturdy waxy buildup and bring back its shine.
Rubbing Alcohol
Rubbing alcohol helps you remove tough grease and grime from laminate floors. It’s effective for paint, ink, nail polish, and crayon stains.
Mix equal parts rubbing alcohol and water to make this DIY cleaner that cuts through the dirt on your floor.
How To Use These DIY Cleaners?
Put the cleaner/mix in a bucket and mop it onto the floor using a soft cloth or microfiber mop head.
Once you’ve finished mopping, rinse the floor thoroughly with clean water. This will remove any remaining residue from the vinegar/soap solution.
2. Dry Buffing
Another great way to make your laminate floors shiny is by dry buffing them using a soft cloth or microfiber mop head:
- Start by dusting off any debris on the floor using a vacuum or dust mop.
- Then take a clean cloth or mop head and buff it against the floor. Do it in small circular motions until you see the shine start to come back.
This method helps eliminate any scratches in the finish that may be causing your floor to look dull.
3. Polish
If dry buffing doesn’t do the trick, you can always try polishing your laminate floors with an appropriate polish.
Read all instructions on the label before you begin this process. This will educate you on how much product to use and how often it should be applied for the best results.
Polishing works best when done once every few months. It may need to be done more often, depending on how much traffic goes through your home daily.
Polish helps protect against future scratches while also restoring shine.
Some Important Tips To Remember
- Sweep the debris from the floor with a soft broom or a microfiber mop.
- Use a vacuum with a hard floor attachment, like the ones used for wood floors, to eliminate more difficult debris.
- Avoid using other attachments and vacuums with a beater bar, as these can scratch your flooring and leave permanent marks.
- Make use of cleaners designed specifically for laminate floors.
- Avoid cleaning with oil-based products because, over time, they can cause your floors to warp.
- Spray your floor with a light coating and in small sections.
- Dry the space with the air. To ensure adequate airflow, open the room’s doors and windows. It may take up to 30 minutes to dry completely.
Don’t use abrasive or wax-based products on your laminate flooring, as these can easily cause permanent damage.
Summary
Giving your laminate floors some TLC doesn’t have to break the bank or cause stress! With these three tips—using a vinegar & water solution, dry buffing, or polishing—you can easily restore the shine to those dull-looking surfaces without too much effort or expense.
So go ahead and give these methods a try today! Your laminate floors will thank you for it later!
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Does My Laminate Floor Look Dull?
Your laminate floor looks dull due to dirt and dust accumulation, harsh cleaning products, or excessive foot traffic.
It is best to avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners on laminate floors when cleaning them.
How To Make the Best Laminate Floor Shiner at Home?
Mix equal parts of water and vinegar in a spray bottle. Spray it on the floor and then use a mop to wipe it toward the grain.
