It’s frustrating when your beautiful laminate floor feels sticky after you’ve just mopped it. It’s simply not fun for your feet. It starts out feeling smooth and sleek, but with a few minutes, it feels like you’re walking on sticky tape.
A few things can cause your laminate floor to feel sticky after mopping. The most common culprit is using a floor cleaner that leaves behind residues. Or some cleaners are too harsh for laminate floors and can react with the wear layer top coat leaving it sticky whenever the surface comes into contact with water.
Let’s delve deeper into other reasons why laminate floors become sticky after mopping and how you can avoid it.
1. Cleaning Soap Residue
One of the things most people get wrong when cleaning their laminate floors is using the wrong cleaning solution.
You should always avoid using soap-based cleaners as they can leave a residue on your floor that will make it feel sticky even after cleaning them.
The residue left behind by these cleaners can attract dirt and dust, making your floor even dirtier than before you started cleaning it.
In addition, this residue will make it difficult for you to clean your floor in the future as the dirt and dust will stick to it more easily.
So, what kind of cleaner should you use on your laminate floor? Look for a cleaner specifically designed for laminate floors and doesn’t leave any residue behind.
Many brands of laminate floor cleaners are available on the market, so finding one shouldn’t be too difficult. My go-to is this laminate floor cleaner and this flathead mop. You can find both products on Amazon!
No matter the cleaner you pick out, just make sure to read the label carefully to ensure that it is suitable for your laminate floor and won’t leave any residue behind.
Another option is to make your own laminate floor cleaner using some kind of acid ingredients like a solution of water and white vinegar. This solution will clean your floor just as well as any store-bought cleaner and won’t leave any residue behind. More on this later!
2. Not Diluting Your Floor Cleaner Properly
Another common culprit you want to pay attention to is not diluting your laminate floor cleaner properly before using it.
Most will floor cleaners will come with a set of instructions on how to dilute the product properly before use.
If you don’t dilute it correctly, you run the risk of damaging your laminate floor or making your laminate floors sticky after mopping it.
Using too much concentration in your cleaning solution can leave a sticky residue on your laminate floor.
This is because the extra concentrate doesn’t have enough time to evaporate before it dries on your floor.
To avoid this, always make sure to follow the instructions on how to dilute your cleaner properly.
If you’re unsure, it’s always better to err on the side of caution and use less cleaner than you think you need.
You can also avoid this problem by using a ready-to-use laminate floor cleaner that doesn’t require diluting. These are becoming increasingly popular as they are so convenient to use.
To summarize, if you want to avoid your laminate floors from becoming sticky after mopping, make sure to use the right kind of cleaner and dilute it properly before use.
3. Waxes And Polishes
One tip I always mention to people with laminate floors is to avoid using waxes or polishes.
This is because these products can leave a sticky residue on your laminate floors after you have used them.
Waxes and polishes are designed for other types of floors like wood floors, so they are not suitable for use on laminate floors.
If you use them, you can expect your laminate floors to feel sticky each time you mop them or your floors come into contact with water or moisture. So, remember never to use waxes or polishes on your laminate floors.
4. Using A Wrong Cleaner For Your Laminate Floors
Your laminate floors might feel sticky after mopping if you’re using the wrong kind of cleaner for them.
There are many different types of cleaners on the market, and not all of them are suitable for use on laminate floors. In fact, many of the cleaners will not be suitable for laminate floors.
For example, although mild dish soap and all-purpose cleaner are extremely mild, using these cleaners is a big no-no for laminate floors.
Dish soaps and all-purpose cleaners are designed for cleaning other surfaces like countertops and tables but not your laminate floors.
In most cases, you do not even want to use any type of cleaner as for as laminate floors are concerned. Instead, you can simply spritz some clean water over the surface and then use a flat-head mop to wipe away any dirt or dust.
Never use a soaking wet mop to clean your laminate floors, as this will damage them.
5. You Didn’t Rinse The Floor Thoroughly After Moping
Another common mistake that can make your laminate floor sticky after mopping is not rinsing the floor thoroughly enough after mopping it.
You need to ensure that all the cleaning solutions have been removed from your laminate floors before you allow them to dry.
If there is any cleaning solution left on the surface of your laminate floors, then this can lead to a sticky residue being left behind.
To avoid this, always make sure to rinse your laminate floors thoroughly after mopping them. You can do this by using a clean, lightly damp mop or cloth to remove any excess water and cleaner from the surface of your laminate floors.
6. Cleaning Your Laminate Floors With Dirty Mops Or Water
Another mistake that can cause your laminate floors to become sticky after mopping is using dirty mops or dirty water to clean them.
If you use a mop that has already been used to clean another surface, then there is a chance that some of the dirt and debris will be transferred onto your laminate floors.
This can then lead to your laminate floors becoming dirty and sticky. Similarly, if you use water that is dirty or has already been used to clean something else, then this can also lead to your laminate floors becoming dirty and sticky.
Always make sure to use clean mops and clean water when cleaning your laminate floors.
7. Not Vacuuming Or Sweeping Before Mopping
Last but not least, another common mistake that can cause your laminate floors to become sticky after mopping is not vacuuming or sweeping them before you mop them.
If you do not vacuum or sweep your laminate floors before mopping, then there is a chance that some of the dirt and debris will be left behind.
This can make your laminate floors sticky after you have mopped them. Always make sure to vacuum or sweep your laminate floors before mopping them to avoid this from happening.
How To Fix A Sticky Laminate Floor After Mopping
If your laminate floor is sticky after mopping, don’t worry, as there are a few things you can do to fix this problem.
- Use A Store-Bought Laminate Floor Cleaner
You want to do this as you notice your laminate floors getting sticky after mopping them.
Store-bought laminate cleaners are designed to safely remove residue and build-up from your laminate floors without leaving behind a sticky film.
These products are made of chemicals that will quickly break down the sticky residue on your laminate floors so you can mop them clean.
There are a lot of different laminate cleaners on the market, so be sure to read the label carefully to find one that is safe for your particular type of laminate floor.
Once you’ve found the laminate cleaner that checks all the boxes, simply follow the instructions on the bottle.
You’ll usually need to dilute the cleaner with water before mopping your floors.
Be sure to mop your laminate floors with a clean microfiber mop head or cloth to avoid spreading the residue around.
- Use An Acid Cleaner (White Vinegar)
The first thing that you can try is to mop the floor with a vinegar and water solution. Vinegar is made up of acetic acid, which will help to remove any build-up on the floor that is causing it to be sticky.
Make sure to dilute the vinegar with water before using it on your floor, as undiluted vinegar can damage the laminate. Here’s how to use this method:
- Step One: Fill a spray bottle with two parts water and one part white vinegar.
- Step Two: Spray the solution onto the surface of your laminate floor and mop as you go along.
- This can be made more accessible if you use a mop with a built-in dispenser.
- Step Three: Once you’ve finished mopping, rinse the floor with clean water to remove any residue.
- Simply rinse and wring your mopping brush or cloth in clean water and give the floor a final once-over.
- Step Four: Dry the floor with a clean towel or mop to prevent water spots from forming.
How Do You Clean Laminate Floors Without Sticky Residue?
Cleaning laminate floors without leaving behind a sticky residue is easy if you know what to do.
- Step One: Fill up a spray bottle or dispenser mop with some properly diluted laminate floor cleaner.
- Step Two: Spray or spritz a fine mist of the cleaning solution onto the floor.
- Step Three: Mop the floor using a microfiber flathead mop.
- Make sure you’re not soaking the floor and wringing out the mop or cloth pretty well as you go.
- Also, make sure to work particular sections at a time so that the cleaning solution doesn’t have a chance to dry on the floor and leave behind streaks or residue.
- Step Four: Once you’re done mopping, go over the floor with clean water damp clean to remove any leftover cleaner.
- Step Five: Finally, buff the laminate floor dry with a clean, dry microfiber cloth. And that’s it!
Just follow these simple steps, and you should be able to clean your laminate floors without any sticky residue or streaks.
How To Prevent Your Laminate Floors From Getting Sticky After Mopping
Even if you take all the necessary precautions, there is still a chance that your laminate floors may become sticky after mopping. Here are a few tips on how to prevent this from happening:
Use A High-Quality Mop And Mop Head
One of the best ways to prevent your laminate floors from becoming sticky after mopping is to use a high-quality mop and mop head.
A good quality mop will help ensure that your laminate floors are clean without leaving any residue behind.
Use A Damp Mop Rather Than A Wet Mop
When mopping your laminate floors, use a damp mop rather than a wet mop.
If you use a wet mop, there is a chance that too much water will be left behind on the floor, which can lead to your laminate floors becoming sticky and damaged.
Use The Right Cleaning Solution
Another way to prevent your laminate floors from becoming sticky after mopping is to use the right cleaning solution.
There are a lot of different cleaners on the market that claim to be safe for laminate floors, but not all of them are created equal.
When choosing a cleaner for your laminate floors, read the label carefully to find one designed specifically for laminate floors.
Avoid Using Too Much Cleaner
Even if you’re using the right cleaning solution, it’s still possible to use too much of it. So when mopping your laminate floors, be sure to follow the instructions on the cleaning solution bottle and avoid using more than is necessary.
If you use too much cleaner, it is a chance to leave behind a sticky residue.
Rinse The Floor After Mopping
Once you’ve finished mopping your laminate floors, be sure to rinse the floor with clean water.
This will help to remove any cleaner residue that may be left behind on the floor. Then, simply wring out your mopping brush or cloth in clean water and give the floor a final once-over, just as I have stated before.
Completely Dry The Floor After Mopping
It will become sticky if you don’t allow your laminate floor to completely dry after mopping.
This is because the moisture from the mop will seep into the seams of the flooring and cause it to swell.
The best way to prevent this is to use a microfiber mop head or a chamois cloth to dry the floor immediately after mopping.
Final Thoughts
Here are the key takeaway points to remember about why is your laminate floor gets sticky after mopping:
- Cleaning soap residue,
- Not diluting your floor cleaner properly,
- Using too much water when mopping, etc.
Tips on how to prevent your laminate floors from getting sticky after mopping:
- Use a high-quality mop and mop head,
- Use a damp mop rather than a wet mop,
- Use the right cleaning solution, etc
Thanks for reading this article, and I hope you found it helpful. Feel free to share it with anyone else who may find it useful. Have a great day!
