How to remove cloudy "film"?

Donna
by Donna

I have Pergo laminate wood flooring. Per mfg instructions I have ONLY used water, and on occasion vinegar w/water. Now I have a cloudy "film (?)" on the flooring. Contacted Pergo, no response to date. Went to Home Depot, they recommended any product "for laminate." On line there is a Pergo brand cleaner, but I've yet to find an outlet for it. The flooring I choose does not have a polished shine, but certainly not dull. I am satisfied, with the product, with this exception. Any suggestions? I am at a loss. It looks dirty all the time, yet the microfiber mop & towels are fairly clean. ANY SUGGESTIONS WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED!!

  8 answers
  • Mary Mary on Oct 02, 2018

    I think the vinegar (which is an acid) has etched or clouded your flooring. I would stay on top of Pergo to get an answer. This should not of happened

    • Donna Donna on Oct 02, 2018

      Hello Mary!

      I've wondered about the vinegar also. The rooms mopped with just water are fine. The floors I am struggling with are the rear entrance and living room i.e., main traffic areas and I did use vinegar to clean them.

      Thank you for your response.

      Donna





  • Linda Sikut Linda Sikut on Oct 02, 2018

    Hi Larry,

    I agree with Mary except for one thing. You said your microfiber mop & towels were "fairly clean". You should always start with a clean mop. Small particles of dirt on a mop can also leave behind a film. This is the Pergo maintenance instruction page. Check to see if you followed all of the steps. If you did, keep calling Pergo until you get a real person. Wishing you the best. -Linda

    https://na.pergo.com/how-to/floor-care-maintenance

    • Donna Donna on Oct 02, 2018

      Hi Linda,

      Clarification - "Mop & towels were fairly clean" AFTER mopping. I change mop heads/towels (& water) until they no longer get dirty when mopping the floor. When I wash them, I use an extra rinse, and recently ran another wash cycle without detergent, in case of residue. Tomorrow I'll find out if that helped. I am persistent, Pegro customer service will recognize my voice - if necessary.


      Thank you for your input.

      Donna

  • Jlnatty Jlnatty on Oct 02, 2018

    Just a guess - maybe it's a gradual buildup over time from minerals dissolved in your water. Vinegar and water mixture (1 cup of vinegar to 1 gallon warm water) may help remove it. Try a small section cleaned with a swiffer sprayed with the water/vinegar mixture, then dry with soft towel - don't rinse with water. See if that works. You may need to add more vinegar to the water to dissolve the haze.


    You can also try a laminate cleaner:

    https://www.thespruce.com/best-laminate-floor-cleaners-4159176

    • Donna Donna on Oct 03, 2018

      Greetings Jlnatty!!!

      Holding off on using the vinegar again for now, hoping Pergo has a solution. I will check out the site you sent, thank you for your input!

      Donna

  • Chas' Crazy Creations Chas' Crazy Creations on Oct 02, 2018

    You are cleaning it correctly, great job! Here is an article that might help you - https://homeguides.sfgate.com/rid-cloudiness-laminate-flooring-43211.html

  • William William on Oct 02, 2018

    Bona for laminate floors. They make different formulations. Make sure you get the one for laminate floors.

    • Donna Donna on Oct 03, 2018

      William,

      I am assuming you have used the bona for laminate floors. One site I saw said not to use Bona - but then I don't believe everything I read on the internet either. Thank you

      Donna

  • Cheryl A Cheryl A on Oct 03, 2018

    Once and Done laminate floor cleaner or Bona laminate cleaners are the best and I know for sure that vinegar will cause a haze or film on laminate, tile and wood floors

    • Donna Donna on Oct 03, 2018

      Hi Cheryl A

      I am learning the hard way, and I think you are right about the vinegar. It blows my mind that Pergo suggests vinegar and water. Still waiting to hear from them. Hmmm

  • William William on Oct 03, 2018

    I use Bona on laminate and my hardwood floors.

  • Cheryl A Cheryl A on Oct 04, 2018

    Donna

    I cleaned houses for 34 yrs and some of my customers insisted on using vinegar and water and then they complained when there was film and even their socks were getting dirty right after I mopped. Once and Done and Bona are awesome products and both are recommended by all flooring stores and even the big box stores. I started using Bona on wood floors and it makes such a difference. Be sure to get the laminate cleaner for your floors and not the wood floor cleaner. It is a great product. Good luck