Engineered hardwood flooring becomes the most sought-after flooring option for many of us because of its appearance & price tag. It gives the feeling of a natural wood surface but at a half-cut price. Besides, it’s durable, easy to install, and simple to clean.
However, it also gets dirty like other flooring types. But the problem with this floor is- haze or white stuff on hardwood floors will form if you fail to clean it the right way.
There are also other reasons behind the hazy look of the engineered hardwood floor (we will cover this).
The crucial point is- how to remove haze from engineered hardwood floors and bring back its natural look?
We will walk you through how to clean engineered hardwood floors and remove the haze effectively. So, stay with us till the end of this guide.
Why Does Haze or White Stuff on Hardwood Floors Form?
Before letting you know how to clean engineered hardwood floors, we first described the behind scene. In simple words, we inform you why haze forms on the floor.
As a result, it will be easier for you to take the right action of removing the cloudy spots.
1- Using Improper Floor Cleaner
Applying improper cleaning products is the result of a hazy or cloudy floor.
Thousands of floor cleaners are available on the market, making it challenging to pick the right one. Though each of the cleaning ingredients claims to get rid of dirt, some are responsible for damaging the hardwood base.
For instance, the oil-based surface cleaner has the highest chance of giving a dull look to your engineered hardwood floors. The oil contained in the cleaner can react with the polyurethane seal and bring damages to it.
Therefore, furniture polish, oil soaps, and paste wax are examples of cleaners that leave a cloudy, dull, hazy effect on the floor.
We recommend you avoid all of these floor cleaners to stop forming haze on your hardwood floor.
Don’t forget to check the labels of the cleaner to ensure it doesn’t bring any damage to your wood surface.
2- Applying Excess Cleaning Ingredients
A fair amount of detergent or any cleaner is enough to suck away dirt & residue from the hardwood surface. But most of us assume overusing the cleaning products may help to pick off the filth.
In essence, the floor’s surface looks cloudy or hazy because of the excess use of the cleaner. So, stop overcleaning your surface. Instead, apply a decent amount of cleanser and mop the base gently.
3- Trapped Moisture
Water is a typical floor cleaning ingredient. But applying excess water to wash away wood surfaces is dangerous. The wood absorbs water which increases the humidity level to make the base pale. In the worst case, mold may grow.
We suggest you pass over a mop once you clean the surface with water. It will help to remove excess water from the hardwood base.
4- Salt Residue on the Floor
If you clean the surface with chemical cleaning agents, there is a chance of salt buildup on the floor. Every chemical cleaner contains salt. Excess use of the cleaner can quickly form a film on the floor and react with the wood to leave a hazy effect.
5- Fail to Apply the Finish Properly
Applying the finish the right way is a crucial part of installing the surface. You must ensure there is no air trapped when you use the finish. Otherwise, the hardwood floor will appear as cloudy.
How to Clean & Remove Haze from Engineered Hardwood Floors?
Once you trace out the reasons behind the hazy look of your hardwood floor, it’s time to show it some care.
1- Treat with Vinegar
White vinegar is a natural, non-toxic, and effective cleaning ingredient to treat the haze that forms by salt deposits. It contains acid, which reacts with the cloudy filth and sucks it off. However, we recommend you apply a good amount of white vinegar.
Cleaning equipment You Need:
- White Vinegar
- Water
- A bucket
- A Wet Microfiber Cloth
- A dry cloth
How to Apply:
Make a solution of water & white vinegar. Regarding this, pour a bucket of water and add two cups of vinegar into it. Then, blend it properly to dissolve vinegar.
Dip a microfiber cloth into the solution and scrub the cloudy spot gently until it removes away wholly.
Afterward, sweep the floor with a dry cloth to pick off remaining leftovers.
2- Clean with Ammonia
If there is a stubborn & sticky stain and haze on the floor, treat them with the powerful cleaner, ammonia. This cleanser works excellent to remove the dirt that won’t go away.
But most homeowners avoid ammonia because of its strong & overpowering smell. However, you can soften the smell by diluting it with water.
Cleaning Equipment You Need:
- Ammonia
- Lukewarm water
- A mop
- A clean damp cloth
- A dry cloth
How to Apply:
Begin with making a mixture of water and ammonia. Pour a bucket of lukewarm water into a bucket and sprinkle a cup of ammonia.
Before applying this, make sure you evenly vacuum the engineered hardwood surface to suck away dirt.
Soak the mop with the solution and apply it to the affected area. Now, scrub the surface with it to eliminate dirt, filth, and hazy effects.
Never allow the solution to sit on the floor for a long time. Otherwise, it will damage the finish. So, use a damp cloth to sweep away the residue of water & ammonia.
Finally, use a clean, dry cloth to wipe the surface immediately.
3- Try out a Steam Mop
A steam mop is another effective cleaning tool to eradicate dirt & filth from the surface. Instead of using any solution, it uses only steam water to eliminate the stain, haze, and spots from the floor. When using a steam mop, make sure you don’t hold it in a single area for a long time. Otherwise, excess heat will warp the flooring.
Cleaning Equipment You Need:
- A steam mop
- Water
How to Apply:
Fill the water container of the steam mop with water. Then, turn it on and start passing it over the affected area.
Never hold the mop on a single spot for a long time. If needed, refill the water cartridge.
Once you have done the job, turn the unit off.
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FAQs
How Do You Clean Dull Engineered Hardwood Floors?
Use the solution of white vinegar and water to clean the dull engineered hardwood surface. In this case, mix a cup of vinegar with a gallon of water and blend both ingredients properly. Then, dip a mop into it and apply it to the affected area. Finally, use a clean, dry cloth to remove excess water and the residue of vinegar.
What Is the Best Cleaner for Engineered Hardwood Floors?
The solution of white vinegar & lukewarm water is the best cleaner for engineered hardwood floors.
Can You Use Bona Polish on Engineered Hardwood?
Yes, you can use Bona Polish on your engineered hardwood floor with no fear to remove the residue evenly.
Why Do Engineered Hardwood Floors Scratch so Easily?
Because of the floor’s finish, the engineered hardwood surfaces scratch so easily.
Can You Clean Engineered Hardwood with Vinegar?
Yes, you can. But make sure you use a fair amount of vinegar as it contains acid.
Is Murphy's Oil Soap Good for Engineered Hardwood Floors?
When it comes to cleaning the engineered hardwood floors, we recommend you avoid it as it damages the finish and ruins the floor.
Conclusion
So, how to remove haze from engineered hardwood floors?
The mixture of white vinegar and water will be the best cleaner to remove haze from the hardwood surfaces. The acid in vinegar reacts with the cloudy spot and picks it off.
However, don’t allow the vinegar solution to sit on the surface for a long time as the acid can damage the finish.
Also, you can try out a steam mop to disinfect and remove the hazy effects from the hardwood base.
Now, questions for you.
Which cleaning methods are you going to try to handle the haze or white stuff on your hardwood floors? Let us know by leaving a comment below.
I am Evan Jr. Wilson, a professional cleaner. Working as a cleaner, I involve every cleaning task like scrubbing, washing, brushing, sweeping, tidying, vacuuming, mopping, and polishing.
From cleaning the house to work areas & machinery, I have experienced cleaning every space.
