How to Make Laminate Floors Shine Again—Without Damaging Them

Laminate flooring is a great alternative to hardwood for high-traffic areas in the home. It can withstand messes, is stain- and scratch-resistant, and generally less expensive than hardwood and granite, both in material and labor costs. The problem? Laminate flooring tends to dull easily. This happens when the top protective layer wears down due to age, wear and tear, and the use of incorrect cleaning methods and harsh products.

When dullness strikes, follow these expert tips to restore the shine of your laminate floors.

What Causes Laminate Flooring to Lose Its Luster

"Laminate may look tough, but in reality, it is very vulnerable," says cleaning expert Alicia Sokolowski. "Laminate floors are made with a protective top coating, not real hardwood," she explains. "The shine or luster comes from that layer, and not from waxing or polishing." Over time, a laminate surface can become dull due to the following factors:

• Residue buildup from soaps, waxes, or the wrong cleaning products
• Abrasive dirt or dust that scratches the protective layer
• Excess moisture causing haze or swelling in the planks
• Sunlight exposure (extensive exposure to UV rays can fade the laminate finish)
• Improper cleaning tools, such as rough, abrasive scrubbers or dirty mops

How to Avoid Dulling Laminate Floors

According to licensed contractor Danny Niemela, wear-and-tear is typically the result of owners mistaking laminate for wood, when it's really paper and resin bonded to high-density fiberboard. Thus, the same cleaning protocol does not apply.

Avoid the following cleaning mistakes when shining up your laminate floors.

• Avoid exposing your laminate flooring to water for too long or scraping it with abrasive scrub pads or brushes, as this may cause the edges to curl or graphics to disappear, says Niemela.
• Don’t use steam mops, as the heat and moisture from the steam can cause serious warping. “Steam or wet mops can force water under the floating planks and cause mold or mildew issues,” says floor covering expert Miguel Harris.
• Avoid using excessive force when cleaning, as this will scratch through the top layer.
• Avoid vinegar overuse, says Sokolowski. “While using the diluted vinegar is fine, too much acidity dulls the surface,” she says. Make sure you always use enough water in a DIY solution.
• Avoid bleach, ammonia, or citrus cleaners, as these can corrode the surface and damage the finish permanently.
• Never use baking soda or wax, as these will slowly erode the coating.
• Clean up spills right away and don't let them sit.
• Avoid polish or oil soap, as these can leave a cloudy film that’s difficult to remove. Both wax and oil-based polishes are for hardwood floors and create a tacky film that gathers dust, notes Niemela.
• Never use paper towels, warns Niemela. “They cause fine scratches that make everything else much worse.”
• Use felt pads under chair and table legs, and lay down rugs in places with particularly high foot traffic.

How to Safely Restore Shine to Laminate Floors

“The trick is to clean without doing more harm,” says flooring expert Jordan Schofield. Follow the simple steps below to safely remove dirt, calcium deposits, soap film, and other debris that may be dulling your floors' sparkle.

Materials Needed:

• Microfiber floor duster or vacuum with a soft-floor setting
• Commercial pH-neutral cleanser or distilled white vinegar
• Warm water
• Mild dish soap (optional)
• Spray bottle
• Microfiber mop
• Microfiber cloths

Instructions:

1. Start with a sweep. You want to first remove any grit or large debris. If you vacuum, make sure to turn off the rotating brush so that you don’t cause any scratches, says Schofield.
2. Mix your cleaning solution. When it comes to cleaning solutions, you have two options, says Sokolowski. You can either use a commercial cleaner (a pH-neutral one, designed for laminate flooring) or you can mix your own DIY solution. To create your own, mix 1 cup of vinegar with 1 gallon of warm water. Adding a few drops of mild dish soap is optional. Test your cleaning solution of choice on a small section of the floor to ensure it's safe to use.
3. Lightly mist the floor. Use a spray bottle filled with your solution and spray onto a small section of the floor. Always avoid pouring liquid directly onto the floor, as this can oversaturate and damage the finish.
4. Wipe with a microfiber cloth or mop. Using a microfiber mop or cloth, wipe your floor in the direction of the planks. “For sticky spots, spray the solution onto a cloth and rub gently,” advises Schofield. 
5. Dry immediately. “As soon as you’re done with a section, dry it with a clean cloth,” says Schofield. “Laminate hates standing water.” This will help prevent streaks and water damage.
6. Finish spraying your floors. Continue to lightly spray and wipe the rest of the laminate flooring with your mixture, going section by section.
7. Buff or shine. “Once the floor is clean and dry, use a dry microfiber mop to gently buff the surface,” advises Sokolowski. “This restores the laminate's natural light-reflecting finish.”
8. Maintain regularly. “Maintenance is the key to the longevity of your laminate floors,” says Sokolowski. Clean the floor with a dry mop two to three times per week and damp-mop every one to two weeks, depending on traffic.