Cleaning laminate which has some white patch?

Sandeep
by Sandeep

I have attached pictures of the laminate floor which looks discoloured. That is the space I use to sit on a rolling office chair everyday 8 to 10 hours. Although we mop the place every week, it has formed a discolouring or white patches, which I am unable to remove. I used vinegar and mopped it using swifer. Threw baking soda on it and cleaned it using a a scotch brite. Nothing works. Any solution for this. THe floor is not even a year old.

Laminate floor with dirt marks

Another view

  23 answers
  • Dee Dee on Aug 03, 2020

    For tough spots, use acetone, the kind you buy in the Lowes or Home Depot not nail polish remover using a clean microfiber cloth. If that does not take it off, the white spot may be due to the rollers on your chair, which would be wear.


    Laminate floors are made in layers, and the wear layer is typically filled with aluminum oxide, or sometimes melamine, and it's what helps the floor stand up to daily use. The wear layer is also what prevents fading and makes the floor easy to clean and stain resistant. You may have to pull up the laminate and replace some of the boards. I hope you have extra. Good luck.

  • It could be from your chair or it could be the quality of the flooring. Laminate doesn't wear well unfortunately and sometimes the top finish layer is too thin to withstand constant use.

    • Sandeep Sandeep on Aug 04, 2020

      Yes Becky, looks like that is the case. Will have to replace I think

  • Oliva Oliva on Aug 03, 2020

    If you need to replace boards, consider a heavy area rug for this space, to preclude recurrance of problem.

  • I would get one of those under desk chair covers that are clear... it is probably worn from the chair moving and may be hard to get off (if possible).

    • Sandeep Sandeep on Aug 04, 2020

      Yes Carrie, looks like it is wear, now that I am reading through all the posts

  • Redcatcec Redcatcec on Aug 03, 2020

    Short of contacting the manufacturer, you might try an organic solvent as suggested by Dee, I would try a really small unnoticeable spot before doing the whole floor, be sure to have good ventilation.

    My gut feeling is this is due to the action of rolling repeatedly over the laminate floor. It could be the laminate is not able to withstand the wear and tear of daily use. You might have to replace, or as an alternative protect the floor if it responds well to the acetone, put a clear plastic floor protector, available at many office supply stores. Best to you.

    • Sandeep Sandeep on Aug 04, 2020

      Thanks Redcatcec, will buy the protector to safegaurd from further damages

  • Cynthia H Cynthia H on Aug 03, 2020

    Hi! Honestly, I think it is wear and tear, not stains or something you can remove. Some manufacturers make repair applications that will restore the finish. Check their website. Is it under warranty? That would give you more options. Good luck and stay safe!

    • Sandeep Sandeep on Aug 04, 2020

      Thank You Cynthia, I will check with the contractor to check with the manufacturer on the warranty.

  • 17335038 17335038 on Aug 03, 2020

    Thee white areas are not stains that can be removed by cleaning. They are signs that the top layer of the laminate is already wearing thin and beginning to disintegrate, likely from the abrasion of the wheels.


    Unfortunately, the durability of laminate has less to do with how old the floor is, and more so to do with how thin the top layer is, and what quality the product was to start with.

    • See 1 previous
    • 17335038 17335038 on Aug 04, 2020

      You're welcome.

      Unfortunately not all floorings, even within the same category, such as laminate, engineered, as so on, are not equal quality.


      The good thing however, is that laminate is easy to take up if you do want to replace it with a different type of flooring.

  • Cheryl A Cheryl A on Aug 03, 2020

    I use Bona for laminate floors it comes in a liquid or else pads like a swiffer and works great although laminate is very thin so it could be wear and tear. You could get in touch with the mfg of your flooring and send them the photo they may have a solution - good luck!

  • I would contact the manufacturer for the best advice.

  • Patty Patty on Aug 03, 2020

    Oh, I would go very slowly here. I was going to buy a new house. The flooring was not laminated but engineered hardwood and all you can use on it is water. Are you sure that is laminate? I would not scrub on the floor in any event. Contact the manufacturer OR a local flooring company for advice.

    • Sandeep Sandeep on Aug 04, 2020

      Thanks Patty, I know this is laminate as I had replaced the previously placed one last year in September, when I got into the house. Will check with the manufacturer for advice

  • Cindy Cindy on Aug 04, 2020

    I would contact the manufacturer for their best advice. Especially because the floor is not even a year old. There might be a warranty for it. In the meantime get yourself a floor protector for under your chair. That will help from future damage.

    • Sandeep Sandeep on Aug 04, 2020

      Thanks Cindy, I am going to buy a floor protector to ensure there is no further damage

  • William William on Aug 04, 2020

    I would say that the rolling office chair wore thru the surface layer of the laminate. Have you run your finger over the spots and feel if they are indented or chipped? If so you might be able to get a gel stain the recolor the spots. You may need to mix a few stains to get a color match.

    • Sandeep Sandeep on Aug 04, 2020

      Thanks William, I just ran my finger and found no indents or chips. The gel stains can be bought from Home Depot ?

  • Nick Ornitz Nick Ornitz on Aug 04, 2020

    For Laminate Flooring you can try using a steam mop, but make sure not to do this too often as repeated use of steam can cause the laminate to buckle. Another option for a simple cleaner is a window cleaner, but don’t over use ammonia as this can strip protective sealant.


    If you want to discuss this with a professional you can get free input for 2 weeks free at hellodwelling.com


  • William William on Aug 05, 2020

    Yes, gel stain can be bought at Home Depot. I use Minwax products

  • Maura White Maura White on Aug 06, 2020

    Where did you get the flooring? What is it made out of? I would go to the store where you bought it and ask! They may not help - and if they don't, then I recommend getting a clear chair mat so you don't cause any more damage: https://amzn.to/3gCOruJ

  • Bahha Bahha on May 14, 2021

    Last week I thought that I was in the same situation, that on the floor I have something like scratches from my chair, but when the cleaning service came, everything was quickly cleaned with some kind of spray. I need to ask them (there where two guys with good ratings from https://www.emop.co.uk/kingston-cleaner) what did they use, so that I can clean it by myself next time and share it with you also.

  • Bruce Bruce on May 27, 2022

    have you found a solution? if so, please share. We are experiencing the same issue and nothing has worked. Might try staining

  • Chas' Crazy Creations Chas' Crazy Creations on Aug 01, 2022

    I have several cleaning tutorials that might help you https://chascrazycreations.com/diys/how-tos/cleaning/

  • Chas' Crazy Creations Chas' Crazy Creations on Feb 02, 2023

    Here are several tips and tricks that might help you https://chascrazycreations.com/floor-cleaning-hacks/

  • Mogie Mogie on Feb 12, 2023

    Here's what the National Wood Flooring Association recommends for removing white spots: If the floor is coated with wax, rub the spot with #000 steel wool and a little wax. If this fails, lightly sand with fine sandpaper and clean the area using #00 steel wool and mineral spirits or a wood floor cleaner.

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Dec 07, 2023

    Contact flooring company - Technical Department and ask them about your problem!

  • Mogie Mogie on Dec 09, 2023

    To take the stain out: Toothpaste lightly rubbed on the stain is often suggested. Another one is vinegar mixed with a bit of olive oil. If the stain does not come out - Using Tea to Mask White Stains on Laminate Flooring.