Difference between revisions of "Clean Laminate Wood Floors Without Streaking"

#Create a vinegar solution. Mix together a 50-50 white vinegar and distilled water mixture inside a spray bottle. Shake the bottle a bit before using. If you dislike the smell of vinegar, add in a few drops of an essential oil, such as lemon. This solution can be stored for a number of weeks without losing its cleaning power.<ref name="rf1">https://crunchybetty.com/diy-laminate-floor-cleaner-your-grandmother-would-be-proud-of/</ref>

#*Natural cleaners have a tendency to leave less residue and create fewer streaks than their commercial counterparts. Although, be aware that premixed cleaning solutions for laminate are available at most home stores.<ref name="rf2">https://www.cleanmama.net/2016/10/diy-laminate-floor-cleaner.html</ref>

#Mix together a tea-based cleaner. Boil a cup of black tea using one tea bag and a single cup of water. Wait until the tea cools down and then pour it into a spray bottle for application. Shake the mixture a bit before spraying and use it immediately. Do not store this solution.<ref name="rf3">http://www.organiclifestylemagazine.com/how-to-clean-your-floors-with-homemade-non-toxic-cleaners-instead-of-store-bought-chemicals</ref>

#Use baby shampoo. Fill your spray bottle up with warm or room temperature distilled water. Add in one tablespoon of baby shampoo. Shake the bottle until it fills up with bubbles. Spray this solution lightly onto the surface of your floor. Baby shampoo is gentle and safe for most surfaces, including laminate.<ref name="rf4">http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/17/how-to-clean-laminate-floors-with-baby-shampoo_n_1974878.html</ref>

#Remove stains with a baking soda paste. Before you do a general cleaning, make sure to address any specific stains or their residue can cause streaking across your finished floor. For a food-based stain, spoon a paste made from baking soda and distilled water over the affected area. Let it sit for a few minutes before wiping it away with a cloth dampened with water.<ref name="rf5">https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-clean-vinyl-flooring/#.WQpJPtryvIU</ref>

#Remove tough stains with rubbing alcohol. Applying a bit of rubbing alcohol directly to a stain, using a cotton ball, can also help to remove it. But, don’t let the alcohol sit for too long or it can cause your protective coating to peel up, which can give the appearance of dullness and streaking.<ref name="rf5" />

#Mix everything with distilled water. Using tap water is the easier option, but it can add deposits on top of your floor. This, in turn, can make your floor appear dirty or dull. Instead, go with warm or room temperature distilled water in all of your floor cleaning solutions. Using distilled water also makes it possible to store your solution up to a few weeks.<ref name="rf3" />

#Complete a spot test. Before you starting the cleaning process, go to a side corner of the room. Apply a bit of your cleaning solution to this space and observe what happens. Look to see if the floor appears dull or otherwise impacted by the solution. If not, proceed as planned. If so, consider using an alternate solution or calling in professional cleaners.<ref name="rf6">http://thethriftycouple.com/2010/10/25/daily-dose-of-thrifty-how-to-make-pergo-natural-floor-cleaner-3-recipes/</ref>

#Vacuum to remove loose dirt and debris. Select the bare floor setting on your vacuum, making sure that the bender bar underneath does not sit directly on the floor’s surface. Follow the grain of your floor and do a few vacuuming passes over the room. Use your vacuum attachment for any corners or crevices. Vacuuming beforehand helps to minimize the movement of dirt and grime on your floor, which can cause streaking.<ref name="rf5" />

#Apply the cleaner. Spray a bit of the cleaning solution onto one of your microfiber mop pads. Or, hold your spray bottle above the floor and lightly mist the surface. Either way, keep an eye on your floor and make sure that it is damp, not soaking wet. Excessive liquid on your floor may cause streaking and warping.<ref name="rf2" />

#Dry it right away. As soon as you finish applying the cleaning solution, go back to where you began and begin the drying process. Walk backward and use a microfiber cloth or mop pad to pick up the moisture from the floor. Moving this way means that you will minimize your footprints, but make sure to buff them out as you go, leaving a pristine surface behind.<ref name="rf7">https://www.maidbrigade.com/house-cleaning-tips/how-to-clean-laminate-floors/</ref>

#Use fresh pads, as needed. If you choose to use a microfiber mop, make sure to use a clean pad for the drying stage. Otherwise, you will just apply another layer of dirt onto the clean surface. To keep your pads clean, place them in your washer on a “delicate” cycle or run them under some warm water.<ref name="rf8">http://laminatefloorblog.com/how-to-clean-laminate-floors/</ref>

#*Avoid using a laundry sheet when drying your cleaning cloths or pads, as the chemicals from the sheet can lead to streaking when you use the pads or clothes again.<ref name="rf9">https://dengarden.com/cleaning/How-to-Make-Your-Own-DIY-Pergo-Laminate-Floor-Cleaner</ref>

#Wipe up any spills immediately. If you see a spill on your floor, the most important thing is to get the liquid up quickly. Grab a towel or washcloth and place it on top of the sitting liquid. Replace as needed until the area is no longer damp. Do a final wipe down of the area with a damp cloth.<ref name="rf8" />

#Stick to a cleaning schedule. It is possible to clean your floors too much, which can damage the protective coating. It is also possible to clean your floor not often enough, which can lead to the accumulation of dirt and streaking when you do try to clean. Try to mop down your floors every other week or so. Vacuum more frequently to remove any surface debris.<ref name="rf10">https://www.everydaycheapskate.com/home-and-family/how-to-clean-and-care-for-wood-and-laminate-floors/</ref>

#Create a “no shoes” rule. Start by wearing socks in your own home and asking that guests take off their shoes when entering as well. This will lessen the amount of deep grime present on your floors and it will make it easier to clean them without creating streaks or spots.<ref name="rf6" />

*Avoid using abrasive cleaners, such as ammonia, on laminate floors.<ref name="rf5" />