Floors are looking dingy

Question

My laminate wood floors are looking very grimy. I just swept and mopped them yesterday. I've been using about 3tbs. Murphy Oil  to a pint of water in my sprayer mop, but everytime I do this they look grimy and dingy about 20 mins. afterward. Any tips on how to spruce up my floors naturally?

Shari · Answer

I'm afraid the Murphy's Oil is the problem. It is most likely leaving a residue that is building up and building up. My laminate is darker than yours but I've gotten the best no-streak/no-residue results with Bruce Hardwood and Laminate Floor Cleaner that I bought at either Lowes or Home Depot in the flooring section. I just squirt a little of that on a damp mop. Also about 8 months ago I bought a steam mop for the tile and vinyl floors in my house and I occasionally use it on my laminate. It leaves all my floors squeaky clean and streak free with nothing but steam BUT you have to be very, very, very careful with a steam mop on laminate because as you probably know, too much water can be the kiss of death for laminate. My laminate is super sensitive to water. The steam mop I bought ( http://www.amazon.com/BISSELL-Powerfresh-Steam-White-1940/dp/B0091YYUAM/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1393908490&sr=8-2&keywords=bissell+powerfresh ) has a High, Medium and Low setting so I just QUICKLY run the mop around on the Low setting ... or ... I get the mop pad damp with the hot steam, turn the steam completely off and move the mop quickly over the laminate floors. At this point, you are going to have to find something that cuts the residue the Murphy's has left. White vinegar? Ammonia? A product like the Bruce cleaner? I don't know--you'll probably just have to experiment. This article (and the link within it to HGTV) might help you. http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/best-tips-for-cleaning-laminate-floors-199144

Shari · Answer

Just wanted to add that if you have other types of hard floors in your house you might want to consider buying that Bissell steam mop I linked to in the above comment. It is absolutely AWESOME! Best purchase I've made in ages. Mopping used to be my most dreaded chore but I actually find it tolerable, even enjoyable now! I don't know if I would have purchased it for laminate only because of the need to be so careful with laminate but it sure makes easy work of mopping the less water sensitive floors (tile & vinyl) I also have. If you do get a steam mop, you are going to want one that has a choice of steam levels so you can control how much steam is directed onto your laminate. That's not a feature all steam mops offer. I use the High on my tile, Medium on my vinyl, and of course, as I said, the Low (or no) steam on my laminate.

Wanda.ll · Answer

You might want o use a product called QuickShine They have a cleaner ( No Bucket)and clear coat( quICK sHINE). It is recommended by several handmen and I've used it. Made my real wood floors look like brand new afTer 35 years of grit and grime and other cleaners. I tried all kinds and this worked the best. I got mine at Walmart. here is a short cut to it online.Check out all his stuff and great tips too. http://www.happyhandyman.com/product-p/120000027a.htm No I'm not part of his stuff just use it. You can call him anytime to get help too.

AvonelleRed · Answer

I haven't tried it myself, but saw where someone posted on another site about using baby shampoo on her hardwoods. She said it made them look shinier. Your mileage may vary. If I had some baby shampoo handy, I would try it myself and let you know.

Findleyscorner · Answer

My daughter's floors look great she uses Bona

Barbara C · Answer

Be careful using a steam mop on Laminate. I use vinegar and water. damp mop using this and your floors will shine and it wont' harm the Laminate.

Agatha, · Answer

I have had great results on all types of flooring using hot tap water, bottle lemon juice and a few drops of cooking oil. Your floors will smile back at you. I also polish my furniture with it.

Lisa Snodgrass · Answer

Since we're on the subject, we just purchased 2400 sf of vinyl wood-look plank flooring in a dark grayish-blk color for our business, and it also looks dull, and in a few areas has some even duller-looking glue residue. Warm water is the primary recommendation for cleaning, but do any of you have any other suggestions? Thank you!

Cindy tustin · Answer

I use warm water about a gallon and i add 1/4 cup vinegar and less sudsy ammonia. Cleans really good. Then i simply drag my vacuum out low setting and the roller brush buffs it to a shine. Some days I just run the vacuum over it and it buffs it right up. I was told not to use steam cleaner on laminate. This is so inexpensive and small amounts of cleaner are not offensive but effective.

Denny Ross · Answer

rejuvinate for floors is awesome

Jcw · Answer

I reponded to another thread about my use of rejuvenate on floors. I just want to state to be very cautious with this product.  I had used this for my cabinets and loved it.  However when I used the floor product it made my floors shine, but also every mark after that showed.  Even from kid's plastic toys.  I tried all types of cleaning products including all natural methods mentioned on Hometalk    My next step was flooring professional that said this product lays on top of the flooring and this is what is scuffing. I do have bamboo wood flooring instead of laminate, but I would certainly use in out of sight place first to test.  Now my only option is  to sand and refinish or new flooring.

Dolores · Answer

My floors were dingy, too. I called the manufacturer. They told me to use white distilled vinegar and water. That's been about 6 years ago, and my floors look shiny all the time.

Sherrie · Answer

Do’s
Do dust-mop and vacuum your floor frequently, especially in high-traffic areas; only use a vacuum with a soft bristle brush.
Do keep pets’ nails trimmed and their paws free of dirt, gravel, grease, oil, and stains.
Do use protective window coverings to block fade-causing UV rays and excessive heat from direct sunlight, and rearrange rugs and furniture periodically to help your floor age evenly.
Do remove shoes with spiked or damaged heels before walking on floor.
Do avoid exposure to water as much as possible during inclement weather.

Don'ts
Do not wet-mop or clean your floor with water or other liquid; for slightly damp maintenance, lightly spray laminate cleaner on a duster and wipe dry immediately.
Do not use any type of cleaning machine such as spray mops, steam cleaners/mops, power cleaners or buffing machines.
Do not use wax, polish, oils, soaps, detergents, shine enhancers, varnish, silicon or ammonia to clean floor.
Do not use harsh cleaning aids such as steel wool pads, any scouring pads containing metal or scouring powders.
Do not use 2-in-1 cleaners with polish that may contain acrylics or urethane polish to restore gloss.

This is the cleaning guidelines from Armstrong,  I would call whoever the manufacture of your floors and tell them you have used Murphy's.  The problem with Murphy's is it is a vegetable oil and putting it in your floor causes a waxy build up.  And it dulls the floors.  But use cleaning guidelines and the manufacture to clean your floors before you damage them.  Send me the name I will even find the phone number for you,  I have been in the cleaning business for a long time and have seen a lot of floors ruined by not using the right cleaners.

Jody Lange · Answer

Ladies thank you for the tips. I didn't know what to use either.

Vanessa Thenya Bondurant · Answer

@Cindy tustin, I wish I'd known sooner not to use a steam cleaner! My floors kept getting duller and duller. I'll try your methods this weekend. Thanks for the great info!

Jeanette S · Answer

I have had mine down for 9 years and it looks like it was put down yesterday. I do not like a shine on floors so I picked one without a gloss. Love it. I just damp mop mine with water with one of those mops that have pads and then put a dry cloth on my mop and dry it. Every so often, I will use a wet swiffer pad to get the germs!

Rose Marie G · Answer

I spray a minimal amount of Murphy's on the floor, use the Swiffer and rub it into the floor about once a month. The floor is never slippery and the Murphy's gets rid of that lack luster look. The room also smells nice from the Murphy's.

Marty Miller · Answer

Always follow manufacturers recommendations for cleaning and maintaining your flooring. You should get that info from the person you buy the floor from. If not, reputable manufacturers will have that info on their website. I've been in the flooring business for 28 years and there is no manufacturer that recommends Murphy's for their flooring. I've seen a number of wood floors whose finish was destroyed by that product.

CK · Answer

If your floors manufacturer doesn't recommend a specific cleaner, then vinegar/water solution is usually safest and best. Murphy's Oil Soap has oil. It will get that little bit of 'grimey' feeling on it over time that's very difficult to get rid of.

Liliana Wells · Answer

I just this mixture for my laminate floor and for other cleaning uses as well.
 1 cup water 1 cup vinegar 1 cup alcohol 2-3 drops dish soap (Castile, Dawn, etc.) 5 drops lavender essential oil 5 drops orange essential oil 3 drops tea tree essential oil Fine-mist spray bottle - 24ozIt looks like you are adding all these essential oils, but Ijust added one, lavender. You may usewhat you like best.

Corby · Answer

I have dark laminate and I too was noticing them getting dingy.   The floors I have don't have a high gloss shine to them, I didn't want that, but they still appeared a bit more grayish then I like.   I looked for several products and the one that has worked the best for me is OrangeGlo for wood floors.  It says on the container not for laminate, but I have yet to understand why... my floors look amazing after using it.

Pat · Answer

I use vinegar and water....put 1/4 cup vinegar in a spray bottle and fill the rest of the way with water. I spray about four foot by four foot at a time and then use a terry towel cover for my swifter to mop the floor (after I have swept it, of course). When done I put a dry terry cloth on my swifter and go over the floor again and it is clean and matte shiny not shiny, shiny.

Kimberly Schoffler Boynes · Answer

I heard you use water on laminate use a cleaner we just had it put down and thats what they told us

Kimberly Schoffler Boynes · Answer

I meant to say dont use sorry

Sheri Frizzell · Answer

Murphy's oil and better yet lemon juice and olive oil mix are great on hard wood floors especially old ones, but not on laminate floors. There are cleaners specifically made for laminate. Try switching to one of them.

Tegma · Answer

I've had laminate for 8 years, and they still look new. I don't use anything but a damp sponge mop, and every few months, a 'Laminate oil' sold at Lowes. Anything else is not recommended by mfg., and very little water is recommended.... Definitely not Murphy's Oil, which is only for hardwood floors.

Chaotically Creative Co. · Answer

We just posted a solution for you. http://www.hometalk.com/diy/clean/floors/how-to-quickshine-shine-dull-floors-4533858

Katrina Smalley · Answer

Is the steam temp of a steam mop hot enough to strip off the shiny coating on my real oak floor? Have no idea what it is

Amy Lindstrom-Sternot · Answer

There's an awesome product made by Rejuvenate called, 'Floor ReFresher'. It's great for stone, ceramic tile, hardwood, vinyl, linoleum and Terrazo. It comes in a spray bottle. Just sweep your floor clean and apply with a damp microfiber cloth. Best of all it leaves no residue and my laminate looks better then I installed it and the shine really lasts. I purchased it at my local building supply store. Home Depot or Lowe's probably sells it also. Otherwise, try your luck online-I'll never use any other product again.

Samof5 · Answer

The manufacturer of my laminate said to use window cleaner. Spray it on and mop with a flat duster with a removable, washable pad. I have tried that floor refresh from rejevinate. It did make my floor very shiny, however it showed lots of fine scratches from my dogs and looked horrible after a very short time. It made my floor look like it was all scratched up when it was really just in the the 'wax' layer of the rejevinate. That stuff is really hard to get off too. I had to use straight ammonia and a scraper on my hands and knees to get it off. It took hours and there are still a few spots I missed that I will have to go back and redo.I do use their kitchen cabinet product and really like it.

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