How To Clean Wood Floors And Make Them Shine

Laminate floors are durable and easy to maintain, with a life span of a few decades. When old, the floors can become dull and require a little waxing and refinishing to make them shine again. So, how can you make laminate floors shine?

To make laminate floors shine, use the right cleaners to remove dirt buildup. Dust frequently and clean up messes immediately to prevent stains. You can brighten and rejuvenate a dull floor using floor restoration products instead of polish. Some cleaners can also prevent dull spots and renew the floor.

It is recommended to use non-abrasive microfiber pads such as the O-Cedar ProMist MAX as a way of preventing scratches that accumulate dirt and grease, making your floors appear dull. Also, cleaning up spills immediately goes a long way in keeping the flooring in tip-top condition.

How do I get my laminate floors to shine?

Cleaning your laminate floor with the right laminate floor cleaner solution will go a long way in keeping them shiny. To make Pergo laminate floors shine, Don't be tempted to apply wax and polish to get rid of a dull look.

How Do You Make Dull Laminate Floors Shine

Here are ways to fix dull laminate floors

1. Vacuum or Dust Mop Your Floor

Dirt and dust particles are best removed from your laminate floor as soon as possible because they can make laminate countertops and floors dull when they leave streaks and residue buildup.

Since this type of floor is meant to be shiny, dust can leave scratch marks on the shiny Pergo laminate surface. The best way to get rid of dust is to first use the recommended mop and cleaning solution.

When vacuuming, avoid any vacuum machine with a brush roll such as Bissell 81L2A. A brush roll or beater brush is not good for laminate flooring because it can scratch and damage your laminate flooring. You can just use a soft broom to get rid of dirt and large dust particles.

See here some of the best dust mops for your wood floor.

2. Use the right laminate cleaners

Using cleaners that are too harsh and aggressive can damage your laminate floor and make it dull. To get rid of the dull appearance and make your Pergo laminate floor shine, use a good laminate cleaner such as the Black Diamond Wood & Laminate Floor Cleaner.

Keep in mind that an expensive cleaning solution doesn't guarantee to leave a shinier floor. Select those meant for laminate floor especially commercial products.

Alternatively, you may use a good homemade laminate floor shiner such as vinegar and alcohol.

Vinegar and alcohol can maintain the natural allure and brightness of your laminate floors. This DIY remedy for dull floors, however, needs to be a repeated a few times a month to maintain your floor clean.

Pro tip: Avoid using excessive floor cleaners to prevent stipping the shiny finish on the floor, making it dull in the process.

Here's how to use vinegar and alcohol homemade laminate floor shiner.

Mix in the ratio of 1:1:1 portion of warm water, white vinegar, and alcohol in a sprayer bottle.
Spay a section at a time as you mop it dry. Remember a lot of water can destroy your laminate.
Pat it dry with a clean microfiber cloth or you may leave it to air dry.
Buff the floor with a dry microfiber.

Note: Using any other cleaning product on your laminate flooring will leave it with cleaner build-up over time that will end up dulling your floor even more.

3. Clean your floor to remove residues

The build-up of residues from bad cleaning materials and dirt are possible reasons for a dull laminate floor. You might want to clean the dirt off to get the Pergo laminate floor to shine again.

Damp-mop your floor using water or a cleaning mixture as minimally as possible. A sprayer is a good option – so spray a section at a time as you clean it before going to the next part.

Do not steam clean your laminate floor as steam is too hot and will strip away the shiny finish on your laminate floor.

You can wring your cleaning towel, piece of cloth, or even a traditional mop to get rid of excess water and just leave it a little damp. Allow it to air dry. Repeat the procedure for an extremely dull-looking laminate floor that may have had years of cleaner residue build-up.

4. Polish Your Floor

Use a dry cleaning cloth or microfiber cleaning cloth to buff your floor dry. Buff a section at a time before going to the next section to leave a nice shine on your laminate floor. Bluffing helps restores and rejuvenates the laminate shine.

For an extremely dull-looking floor, you can use Bissell BigGreen polisher and Lundmark Spray Buff Compound to restore Pergo laminate shine and luster.

Tip: Avoid using wax and polish for long-lasting Laminate shine and luster

Why Are My Laminate Floors Dull and Streaky

Laminate flooring is beautiful and adds value to your home when taken care of correctly. But, what is the cause of dull- streaky laminate and sticky floor after mopping?

Here are the causes of Dull and streaks laminate floors.

A dull and streaky laminate floor is caused by dirt build-up, improper cleaning products and cleaners residue build up over time on your flooring.

1. Use of Too Much and Wrong Cleaners

The use of any cleaner without getting it right may cause a lot of problems on your laminate floor leaving them looking dull. In addition overuse of any cleaner, even the right one can lead to cleaners build-up, leaving the floor sticky even after mopping.

Test your cleaner first on a hidden area or check with a glass before using them on your laminate floor. I know it might be tempting to use more of the cleaners or soap cleaners to clean your floor, but it will leave your floor more messed up than clean.

Regular vacuum cleaning or just sweeping your laminate can get rid of dirt and dust particles that however could have scratched and leave dull-looking floors. Good microfiber mop or dry dust mop will do the work.

2. Use of Too Much Water on Your Floor

The cleaning of the laminate floor requires damp mopping. Too much water will seep into the flooring joints and cracks between laminate planks causing buckling, swelling, or even haze on the wood floor. In the worst cases, they will make your floor warp.

3. Sunlight

Sunlight rays streak on the laminate floor in a regular pattern on a daily basis. This can cause discoloration or fading of the laminate floor section. Use curtains to protect your floor when there are high sunlight rays.

4. Poor Cleaning Methods and Tools

Where cleaning might have been done with the right product, one may have used the wrong tools; mops, vacuum cleaner, and steam cleaners.

Always remember water is an enemy of the wood floor, rag mops, steam cleaners and vacuum cleaners with roller brushes will destroy your floor. Be cautious of the tools selected for cleaning your floor to avoid dull and streak laminate floors.

In addition, if your furniture pads are missing or worn out it may also leave scuff and gauges that are prone to dull your floor.

5. Plants and Pets

Overfilled water pots may cause leaks and damage to your laminate flooring. Pay extra care if you have potted plants on your laminate flooring.

In addition, if you have pets, pet food and dishes can cause scratches on your laminate floor. In extreme cases, they may cause warping and buckling of your laminate floor. Use pads to protect your floor from plant pots and pet caused damages.

Here a video of how to use the right and best hardwood cleaner to rejuvenate your hardwood floor.

How to: Restore Hardwood Floors UNDER 1H | BEFORE & AFTER Rejuvenate Review

Tips for Keeping Laminate Flooring Shiny

Here are some preventive measures that can make laminate flooring shiner for longer:

Use a good vacuum cleaner regularly to remove dust and dirt particles especially if you have kids and pets or high traffic on your floor.
Use microfiber mop with right cleaning products to maintain shine organically and prevent dull look on your floor.
Wipe any accidental spills immediately because laminate is water-resistant but not waterproof. Use a clean towel or dry microfiber mop to wipe the spill. This will go a long way in preventing black and white water stains on the floor.
Use area rugs on your laminate floor – they help trap dirt and dust particles that can leave scratches on your laminate floor.
Never use abrasive cleaning chemicals on your laminate floor, they will leave it dull than clean
Avoid using polish and wax on your laminate flooring. It will leave the sticky floor after mopping and dull floors.
Avoid walking with sharp-pointed shoes on your laminate flooring, it may leave dents.

Read More: How to Fix Laminate Flooring That is Lifting?, How to Whitewash Laminate Flooring?, How do you fix a bouncy floor?, How to Protect Vinyl Plank Flooring From Heavy Furniture Dents.