Engineered hardwood flooring has a beauty and radiance that stands out in any room they are installed. Their beauty is, however, dulled overtime when the floor becomes hazy.
A milky, whitish, and cloudy substance on top of the floor surface even after cleaning makes any effort exerted towards cleaning the floor ineffective and diminishes its beauty.
You might ask yourself why this is happening and how to remove haze from engineered hardwood floors.
Well, don’t despair; using cleaning products that leave residues behind is one of the major causes of hazy floors, but there are other contributing factors.
If you want to learn how to restore the luster and aesthetic of your floor, keep reading.
How to Remove Haze from Engineered Hardwood Floors
Table of Contents
Use of Mineral Spirit
If a layer of old wax causes the white haze on your engineered hardwood floor, it would need to be removed.
But wax removal isn’t an easy task. Buff the floor with a rag soaked in mineral spirit to remove the old wax, causing the hazy residue to make the floor shine again.
Read: How to clean floor with hydrogen peroxide
Use Of Vinegar
Salt deposits on your engineered floor also cause a hazy film which you can use white vinegar to remove. Vinegar is a commonly used cleaner that produces effective results when used appropriately.
It can, however, cause wood floor finish damage, so it should be used sparingly. You can also use apple cider vinegar instead of white vinegar, and you can add a few drops of preferred scented essential oil.
To create a solution you can use to remove haze from engineered hardwood floors, mix one part of vinegar and with one part water, stir to combine, then dampen a microfiber cloth or mop with the solution before scrubbing the cloudy areas by hand.
Then with a clean rag dampened with clean water, rinse the scrubbed area. Pat dry the floor immediately with a microfiber pad, and your floor should look brand new.
Avoid using too much water and vinegar, as it might leave a dull film on your floor, which is basically counterproductive.
Read: How to clean floors with vinegar
Using Mayonnaise
Mayonnaise contains olive oil and can be used to leach out water in the floor if the cloudy haze is a result of blushing out.
Simply apply the mayonnaise on the cloudy deposits, allow it to sit overnight so it can seep into the floor, and replace the water in the cloudy area.
Use a dry cloth to wipe off the mayonnaise in the morning, and the haze should be gone.
Use Of Steam Cleaner
Steam cleaning not only removes stain and stubborn dirt and grime from engineered hardwood floors, but it can also get rid of white haze, but make sure to use it appropriately.
You can steam clean your hardwood floor to get rid of white haze; it also sanitizes the floor by killing 99% of household germs and can even get rid of bugs.
To avoid damaging your floor and achieve an effective result, ensure to choose the right type of steam cleaner. Another main benefit of using a steam cleaner is that it uses water instead of harsh chemicals; this makes your floor safe for pets and kids.
Steam cleaners should, however, be only used on sealed floors. You also need to exercise proper precautions and avoid leaving the steam cleaner on one spot for too long; this can cause damage and leave white spots on your floor.
Using Ammonia Solution
Ammonia solution is an effective cleaner and stain removal suitable for stubborn scuff marks and black spots on the floor.
However, ammonia produces an offensive smell, and proper precautions need to be taken when using the chemical. Only make use of diluted ammonia, and it should never be combined with chlorine, as it can form toxic fumes.
To use ammonia in removing haze from engineered hardwood floors, start by sweeping or wiping down the floor with a dust mop to remove excess dirt and dust particles.
Fill a bucket with lukewarm water and add a cup of ammonia solution, stir to combine, and dip a mop into the solution. Wring out excess water thoroughly, so the mop is only slightly damp, then gently rub the affected area in a circular motion.
Rinse the floor thoroughly with clean water afterward to remove any ammonia residue. Pat the floor dry with a dry cloth or bona microfiber cleaning pad.
Remove The Existing Finish
If your entire engineered hardwood floor is affected or looks cloudy, you may need to scuff the finish and sand screen the floor. Refinish and polish the floor, then apply new wood polish and restorer.
Read: Why is my engineered wood floor turning black?
Conclusion
You can remove haze from engineered hardwood floors with mineral spirit, vinegar, mayonnaise, and ammonia. Each of the methods is effective and does not involve numerous steps.
