How to Make Laminate Floors Shine [Easy Steps from Dull to Shiny Floors]

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make laminate floors shine

Who doesn’t love having shiny and clean laminate floors? Beyond their durability and long lifespan, laminate flooring is also incredibly easy to maintain. 

But there’s a downside to their longevity. As your laminate floors age, they’ll start looking dull. They’re going to require a bit of love to make them shine again. 

So, how can you make laminate floors shine again?

Here is my trusty 4-step process for making laminate floors shine:
1. Vacuum or dust mop your floor
2. Use the right cleaners to remove dirt buildup.
3. Damp-mop your floor.
4. Polish your floor (but not with floor polish!)

Let’s go into more detail on each one.

How to Make Laminate Floors Shine

1. Vacuum or Dust Mop Your Floor

If your floor has lost its sheen, vacuum or dust as soon as possible. Fine dust particles and dirt can build up and leave residue streaks.

Even worse: since laminate floors are meant to be shiny, dust can leave scratch marks on the shiny Pergo laminate surface.

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.

Here are my picks for 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 floor cleaner such as my favourite, the Black Diamond Wood & Laminate Floor Cleaner.

Keep in mind that an expensive cleaning solution doesn’t guarantee a shinier floor. Select those meant for laminate floors, not the priciest one or best-looking brand (don’t even get me started on that). Don’t apply wax, either – that’s a fast way to have your floor be dull and slippery.

Alternatively, you may use a good homemade laminate floor shiner such as white vinegar and rubbing alcohol.  Cleaning your laminate floor with the right laminate floor cleaner solution will go a long way in keeping them shiny.

When cleaning, I recommend you 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.

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

Pro tip: Avoid overuse of specialized floor cleaners – they can strip 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 rubbing alcohol, vinegar, and water solution in a spray bottle.
  • Spay a section at a time as you mop it dry. Remember, a lot of water can destroy your laminate, so use wet cleaning methods sparingly and carefully.
  • Pat it dry with a clean microfiber cloth or you may leave it to air dry.
  • Buff the floor with a dry microfiber.

3. Damp-mop your floor

Once you’ve used your laminate clear mix, damp-mop your floor using water or a minimal cleaning mixture. A sprayer is also a good option—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

Floor polish or wax will leave you needing to repeat this whole process in a few months. Instead use a more specialized floor restoration product like Bissell BigGreen polisher or Lundmark Spray Buff Compound.

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

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 a sticky floor after mopping? 

Here are the causes of dull and streaky 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 cleaner build-up, leaving the floor sticky even after mopping.

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

Regularly sweeping or vacuum cleaning your laminate floors can get rid of dirt and dust particles that could scratch the floor surface and leave them looking dull. A good microfiber mop or dry dust mop will do the trick.

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 planks causing buckling, swelling, or even haze on the laminate 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 cleaners, and steam cleaners.

Always remember, water is an enemy of a laminate 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 streaky 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 is my favorite 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 Floors Shiny

Here are some preventive measures that can help in making laminate floors shine 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 a microfiber mop with the right cleaning products to maintain shine organically and prevent a 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 harsh 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.

Laminate Floors So Shiny You Can Almost See Yourself in the Reflection

Following the tips and tricks listed on this page will keep your laminate floors clean, shiny, and looking like new for years to come. Using the right cleaning products and tools is essential for a successful shine and to ensure you don’t damage the laminate. 

Happy cleaning!

Read More: How to Whitewash Laminate Flooring?

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AUTHOR

Joe McGuinty
I’ve been working with floors for over 12 years. I started as a flooring contractor, primarily in materials selection. Then, I switched careers into accounting, so my wife and I began buying, renovating, and re-selling homes on the side. You’d be surprised how much value you can add to a home simply by adding new floors.

3 thoughts on “How to Make Laminate Floors Shine [Easy Steps from Dull to Shiny Floors]”

  1. I have laminate flooring but it didn’t have a shine on it, can you recommend someone who polishing the floor to give it a gloss look.

    Reply

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