how to fix a laminate floor that got wet

Barbara enjoys writing about the things she loves. Her hobbies include gardening, crochet, reading the Bible, cooking, and home remedies.

Keep throw rugs in front of entrances to prevent the floor from becoming wet due to shoes and/or pets.

Barbara Kay

Get Rid of the Streaks on Laminate Flooring

You've purchased that beautiful laminate flooring, but now it turns into a streaked mess when you clean it. Even some of the specialized cleaners cause the same smeared-looking mess. What you should do?

Help is on the way. I suffered from the same problem but have found the solution.

Our laminate flooring came with instructions to clean it with only warm water. Because we have two dogs, I didn't feel this was sanitary. In the kitchen, the floor gets a bit greasy, and plain hot water just did not do the job. I'm going to share a homemade cleaner that does the trick.

Before you try my solution, however, it's a good idea to try it out on a small spot in the corner somewhere, just to make sure it works well for your floors. It works well on mine and also comes highly recommended by others.

Dos and Don'ts of Laminate Flooring

Keeping laminate floors beautiful means familiarizing yourself with these important cleaning tips.

Dos

Mop up liquid spills immediately. It isn't good for anything wet to lay on the floor. It can cause warping. Mop up after people or pets tracking in snow, rain or mud right away for the same reason.
Keep sand swept up. Laminate flooring is tough, but sand over time can scratch it.
Keep felt pads under the legs of furniture. This will help protect the floor.
Check the manufacturer's suggestions for cleaning the floors.
Use a clean mop. If you don't, you'll have streaks.

Don'ts

Leave a laminate floor wet. Always squeeze out the mop until it is almost dry. Leaving water on the flooring will cause it to warp.
Use regular floor cleaners, including oil soaps or any product that says it will give shine. It can ruin the glossy finish.
Use waxes and polishes. The floor will turn out a smeary mess and you might have problems removing them later.
Use ammonia or any product containing it. Ammonia can damage the finish of your floor.
Use a steam mop. It isn't recommended for laminate and it can cause the floors to warp, sometimes immediately. Many say that it also leaves the floors streaky.

Necessary Equipment

Vacuum cleaner or dust mop: To clean up dust and dirt before you start. A broom will work, too.
Clean mop or rag: To clean the floor. A regular squeeze mop will work fine if you keep the water wrung out completely. I like to use the Rubbermaid Reveal if the floor isn't too dirty because it comes with two washable pads that can be laundered. It also has a container to hold the water and cleaner. When the floor is muddy, you should use a regular mop.
Water and bucket: You'll need these unless you're using a product like the Reveal.

Make Your Own Cleaner

This cleaner is recommended in various dilutions as the only homemade cleaner that works. I tried it and it worked for me; it left me with beautiful shiny floors without wiping afterwards. I used a little less vinegar and more hot water, and it still worked fine.

Homemade Cleaner

1/4 cup white vinegar
1 gallon hot water
Just a small squirt of dish soap (use only a small amount!)

Instructions

First, vacuum or dust mop the floor and remove all loose sand and dirt. This step is important because sand is abrasive.
Mix the vinegar, water, and dish soap in a bucket. I use a 2-gallon bucket for this.
Use either a mop, microfiber cloth, or a terrycloth rag and get it thoroughly wet in the bucket. Next wring it out until the mop or cloth is just damp—not wet. This step is important. If it is too wet, it isn't good for the floor and will leave streaks.
Mop the floor in the same direction as the grooves. This will prevent dirt from collecting where the planks meet.
This is all there is to it. If your cloth was wrung out well enough, you won't need to dry it, and you can enjoy the shiny floor again.

How to Remove Buildup From Other Cleaners

If you already have a buildup from other cleaners that you've used, you may need to use a purchased product to get it off. Try the recipe above first and if it doesn't work, try Bruce Laminate Floor Cleaner. Don't walk on the floor for one hour after using. If the buildup still isn't off, do it again. Then clean with the vinegar and water solution above.

Recommended Products

Mopping with a regular floor mop seems to work best. You do need to see that it is wrung out so well that it is almost dry.

Rubbermaid Reveal Mop: I use the Rubbermaid Reveal Mop when I am in a hurry or to just clean water spills. It has a container to hold the cleaner and a spray nozzle that sprays it on the floor. Then you just mop it up. The mop covers are microfiber and fit on the bottom of the mop. It is sold with two of the covers and is machine washable. It will leave streaks if you don't use a clean mop cover every time and the floor is really dirty. You also need to see that the mop cover doesn't get too wet. If it does, put your extra cover on and don't spray as much cleaner. If your floor is extra dirty, these special mops seem to just smear the dirt around.
Bona Mop: I've never tried this product, but it comes highly recommended along with their Bona Tile and Laminate Cleaner. You can't walk on the flooring after using it until it is completely dry. This is only recommended to remove old floor cleaners and then to use the vinegar and water treatment or another laminate floor cleaner. This can be repeated twice if necessary.
Other mops: Other products with good reviews are Orange Glo and Abbey laminate floor cleaners. The Bruce Floor Cleaner for Laminate Floors that is mentioned above is also recommended by users.
Cleaning solutions: Be careful about which cleaners you choose. I love Murphy's Oil for cleaning grease in the kitchen, but don't use it on laminate wood floors. It says on the bottle that you can, but after I used it, my floor was a smeared-up mess. Every step I took, I left a footprint. You can imagine the mess I had with dogs. I needed to redo the entire floor. Many of the other cleaners leave the same problem.

What's Worked for You?

Have you found a product or method that works well? Let us know in the comment section below.

This article is accurate and true to the best of the author's knowledge. Content is for informational or entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for personal counsel or professional advice in business, financial, legal, or technical matters.

Barbara Badder (author) from USA on April 30, 2018:

It sounds like you scratched the finish. This may be permanent. The only thing I I know you can do is replace the plank of laminate. Hopefully, the person who put down the floor left a few extra planks.

Laminate flooring is what is considered a floating floor. It comes up easily. If you don't know how to do it, it shouldn't cost too much to hire a carpenter to do this for you. That is if you do have a couple of extra planks at least.

Dee on April 30, 2018:

Moving in some furniture left shiny streaks on laminate. Cant get it off.not scuff marks, streaks shiny lines... HELP

Barbara Badder (author) from USA on April 03, 2014:

Justin-cook, I need to do my floors right now. I'm not sure if I have any of the baby shampoo here to try. I have used the vinegar and water and it has worked well, but I am going to try the baby shampoo. Thanks for the idea.

Justin on April 03, 2014:

I have tried that and trust me it works and it also doesn't have any side effects on the floor.

Barbara Badder (author) from USA on April 02, 2014:

I'll have to give the baby shampoo a try on my floors. I haven't tried that one and hadn't heard of it before. Thanks for reading.

Justin on April 02, 2014:

Yes Barbara, According to my personal experience, homemade cleaner works best for laminate wood floors. My personal recipes includes Water-Vinegar Solution (White vinegar – 60 ml,Plain water – 1 liter)

Baby Shampoo Solution(Baby shampoo/liquid dish detergent – 30ml,Warm water – 4 liters) Source: http://www.tophometech.com/how-to-clean-laminate-w...

and i never had any problem with me or my pets.

Barbara Badder (author) from USA on January 25, 2014:

I haven't heard this from anyone else, but it could be the problem. I just use the vinegar and water myself and my dogs are fine.

Cookie on January 25, 2014:

I have been using Bruce laminate floor cleaner. I have three bulldogs and they have all gotten sick with different ailments. One has had seizures , one bowl problems and one a rash. With having propanol and ethylene glycol in it, I think this could be their problems. Has anyone else contacted you with this concern? My floors are new and they were not sick before. Please respond so I know what to do. Thanks

Barbara Badder (author) from USA on August 05, 2013:

Phyllis, I use white vinegar. Don't use more than recommended though.

Phyllis on August 05, 2013:

What kind of vinegar? White or cider?

Barbara Badder (author) from USA on May 07, 2013:

starr, Thanks for commenting. I was surprised by the work involved too.

starr on May 06, 2013:

Ive tried everything. EVERYTHING. The only think that has ever truly worked is getting on my hands & knees w/ water & paper towels. Wood laminate: NEVER AGAIN.

Barbara Badder (author) from USA on March 13, 2013:

teaches12345, Hardwood floors are different than laminate floors. I'd do a little research and be sure that vinegar is alright to use on hardwood first. Laminate has a coating on it that protects the wood.

Dianna Mendez on March 13, 2013:

Barbara, I have wood floors but I think your recipe for homemade cleaner is pretty good. I am going to give it a try. Thanks for the share here and advice.

Barbara Badder (author) from USA on March 11, 2013:

kansasyarn, I'm happy you read it then, because it worked so well for me. Be sure to squeeze out the rag really well. Best of luck with your floors.

Teresa Sanderson from Rural Midwest on March 11, 2013:

Thanks for sharing these useful tips! In the past I have had trouble with streaking on my laminate floors and even streaking from the build up of cleaners on ceramic tile. What a simple and safe method of cleaning these floors! Will definitely give it a try!

Barbara Badder (author) from USA on March 10, 2013:

onegreenparachute, I have a Brazilian oak which is a very dark oak and it worked for mine. Best of luck. It should work. Stick to the recipe and don't use too much dish soap.

Carol from Greenwood, B.C., Canada on March 10, 2013:

I'm really hoping your instructions work! In our home in Canada we have shiny laminate floors which have been driving me bonkers with streaks. The floor is a dark cherry and shows every scuff or mark. I'll try this as soon as we get home. Thanks!!

Voted up and shared.

Barbara Badder (author) from USA on March 09, 2013:

Glimmer Twin Fan, My results were great. Shiny floors again! I'm sure you'll feel the same way. Thanks for reading and commenting.

Claudia Mitchell on March 09, 2013:

Thanks for this useful hub! I hate spending a fortune on cleaners for my laminate floor so this is going to come in handy and save us a lot of money.

Barbara Badder (author) from USA on March 08, 2013:

Angela Blair, Thanks for reading. I had the same problem until I found this and I was almost sorry we put down the laminate. Now I am happy again. Thanks for your comments.

Angela Blair from Central Texas on March 08, 2013:

Some years ago I had a house with laminate floors throughout -- and they were a nightmare. I finally reached the vinegar/water/mop conclusion after a lot of trial and error. This is an excellent Hub on a definitely needed subject as laminatre floors become more popular. Best/Sis

Barbara Badder (author) from USA on March 07, 2013:

moonlake, Laminate is different than hardwood, so I don't know. We paid a small fortune for the floors, so I'm hesitant to try something like that. Thanks for your comments.

Barbara Badder (author) from USA on March 07, 2013:

Victoria Lynn, I know hardwood floors are cleaned differently than laminate. Laminate is wood, but with a coating over it. The reason you have to be careful with it is that you can ruin the coating. Thanks for commenting.

moonlake from America on March 07, 2013:

I didn't hear it recommended for laminated floors but it was recommended for our wood floors in our other house so when I did the floors here I used the windex. I have used it for years and the floor looks the same it hasn't hurt it.

Victoria Lynn from Arkansas, USA on March 07, 2013:

My floors aren't laminate, but they're old wood, squares, actually. I've never been sure how to clean them. I usually just use a damp mop (barely damp) with some type of cleaner. I would like to make them shinier but don't know if I should use wax. Maybe I'll try your cleaner. Interesting hub.

Barbara Badder (author) from USA on March 06, 2013:

moonlake, I read about someone else that used Windex. I wondered about it. Where did you hear that recommended? I was a little afraid to try it since the manufacturer of mine recommended only hot water. Thanks for commenting.

moonlake from America on March 06, 2013:

I use water and windex on my floors. I spray the floor with windex and use my mop with hot water in it. I use the same kind of mop as the girl in the video. I also use the same kind of rags. The dogs can sure leave awful marks on the floor and so fast it will look like it needs to be mopped again. Voted up on your hub.