after cleaning my wood floors,they look streaky and smudgy

Grace A
by Grace A
  17 answers
  • James A James A on Sep 23, 2011
    Try adding a little vinegar to the cleaning solution. A dust mop when finished also helps.
  • Terry S Terry S on Sep 23, 2011
    i cleaned houses for years and i used plain vinegar and water on wood and laminate floors. seemed to work the best.dont need much vinegar.
  • James A James A on Sep 27, 2011
    The vinegar also adds a little shine.
  • Terry S Terry S on Sep 28, 2011
    yes it does.
  • Grace A Grace A on Sep 29, 2011
    tried the vinegar, floors do look better although i think i have to try it again still smudgy looking, but not as bad, thanks for the info
  • Carrie A Carrie A on Nov 10, 2011
    I thought water was bad for laminate floors. I'm trying this. I'm so frustrated working my &$$ off to only find 2000 square feet of streaks. All the laminate cleaners are a waste of money.
  • Terry S Terry S on Nov 11, 2011
    water is only bad if you leave it on there. bona also has a good cleaner. have you tried that . you may have to dry it as you go the first time. what kind of mop are you using?
  • Carrie A Carrie A on Nov 12, 2011
    Microfiber. I think the floors are just so dirty (just moved in) that I'm just moving the dirt around. I tried the vinegar soap mixture and still had streaks. It's frustrating. I got a towel and scrubbed all the dirty water up hoping that would help. Didn't.
  • Terry S Terry S on Nov 12, 2011
    it will get easier once it is cleaned . good luck to you
  • Designs by BSB Designs by BSB on Nov 14, 2011
    I have hardwoods that are not in the best shape .. and when the light hits just at the right angle, I feel your pain! Appreciate the tip about vinegar, had not heard that before - what ratio to water? how to apply? The only product that has given me (temporary) happiness is Orange Glo. looks absolutely fabulous for a day or two! :)
  • Carrie A Carrie A on Nov 15, 2011
    My floors are new laminate. Before these I had real wood that we refinished and we're easy to care for. Just straight water but they had a new finish on them. This is just crazy. Never had such a hard time cleaning floors before.
  • Terry S Terry S on Nov 15, 2011
    you dont need much vinegar , 1/4 cup will do in a spray bottle mixed with water.carrie you may have really hard water or something . does it clean well if you dry it off as you go?. could it be a residue from something else?i also feel your pain , that would drive me crazy if my floors looked bad.also are they a dark wood?which shows every bit of dust.
  • Donna Donna on Nov 15, 2011
    For my hardwoods, I use water with just a touch of Murphy's Oil Soap...trying to get away from chemicals so I use this mixture for granite, cabinets and glass as well. I find that the laminate flooring in my laundry has to be dried to avoid streaks.
  • Robyn Farwell Robyn Farwell on Jan 10, 2013
    Carrie - Water is NOT GOOD for laminate flooring. I just, 1 week ago found this underneath my rug from steam cleaning my rug I have in front of our sectional couch. For my floors, I use the Zap for laminate floors (I buy it at Home Depot). I do NOT spray the laminate flooring with it. I spray a microfiber (I do my floors...living room, dining room, kitchen, hallway and 2 bedrooms on my hands and knees...I know call me crazy - or you can use a microfiber mop. The microfiber pad comes off and can be washed. In a rush, I do use the microfiber mop) with the floor cleaner and then wipe the floors. I love ALL Zep products. They are amazing!!!
  • Fastnacht Shavout Fastnacht Shavout on Feb 04, 2013
    Robyn, i am disabled. this is not a viable option to get on hands and knees, since i cannot get back up. I have laminate floor, and i have made my own cloths, and they do not slip off.
  • Robyn Farwell Robyn Farwell on Feb 05, 2013
    Fantnacht Shavout - I too, put a microfiber on my velcro (I guess you'd call it that) mop and do my floors that way at times. The only reason I do my floors on my hands and knees (or on my butt and slide around lol). I just feel the mop pushes the dirt towards the wall boards, and I try and prevent that. I do my floors twice a weeks so there really is no dirt (and obviously vacuum first). but I guess it's just a personal preference. If you are disabled, and cannot get back up, then mopping seems the best way to clean your floors. All the best to you!
  • Lil284444 Lil284444 on Jan 16, 2014
    I always used vinegar and mine are so cloudy you can't tell they are hardwood. I even put plain vinegar and still the same. Any help out there? Every footprint show up on them