Laminate flooring is a popular choice for homeowners because it is affordable and easy to maintain. However, over time, laminate flooring can turn black. There are several reasons why this might happen, and I will explore them in this article.
One of the main causes of laminate floors turning black is black mold. In the right conditions, black mold can thrive on laminate floors. The mold needs three things to grow: warmth, moisture, and food. If you have a laminate floor located in a warm and moist area, it is more likely to develop black mold that can cause them to turn black.
Laminate floors are stain-resistant but not stain-proof. If something like coffee is spilled on the laminate floor and not cleaned up right away, it can cause the laminate to attract dirt, eventually turning it black.
Also, suppose your laminate floor plank edges are not properly sealed with a silicone sealant. In that case, moisture can seep into the subfloor, which can eventually build up and resurface onto the laminate floor and cause discoloration.
Let’s get into the details about the most common reasons why laminate floors turn black.
Reasons Why Laminate Floor Is Turning Black
1. Black Mold
One of the most common reasons laminate floors turn black is mold.
Mold loves dark, moist places, and if your laminate flooring is not properly cleaned or there is any water damage, it can start to grow.
If you see black spots on your laminate flooring, it’s important to clean them up right away. Then, you can use a mold and mildew cleaner to kill the mold.
Once you’ve cleaned up the mold, keep the area dry to prevent it from returning.
2. Exposure To Sunlight
Another common reason for laminate floors to turn black is exposure to sunlight. UV rays can cause the laminate to fade and discolor over time.
If you have a lot of windows in your home or your laminate flooring is in direct sunlight, it’s more likely to turn black.
We all assume sunlight exposure will only fade a surface what most people do not know is that it also reacts with any stain build-up or spills to create a nasty-looking blackened area.
The best way to prevent this is to ensure your laminate floors are always cleaned and void of spills.
You can also have good curtain systems that would shield your laminate floors from prolonged exposure to direct sunlight when needed.
3. Pet Urine
If you have pets at home, then 6 out of 10 times, their urine is the main reason your laminate floors turned black.
Dog, cat or any other pet urine contains ammonia. Ammonia is a colorless gas with a strong smell.
When it mixes with water, it forms ammonium hydroxide, a corrosive substance.
If this substance stays on the laminate floor for a long time, it will turn black.
Cleaning up pet urine as soon as it happens is the best way to prevent your laminate floors from turning black.
Before cleaning up, make sure to soak up as much urine as possible using a paper towel or a cloth. Once done, you can use your regular laminate floor cleaner to clean the area.
4. Dirt And Grime
If you’re not cleaning your laminate floors regularly, they will start to turn black because of the dirt, grime, and stains.
Laminate floors are easy to clean, so there’s no excuse for not doing it regularly. You can use a microfiber mop or a damp cloth to wipe down the floors.
If there are any tough stains, you can use a little vinegar or rubbing alcohol to remove them. Just ensure you’re not using too much because it can damage the laminate.
Cleaning your laminate floors regularly is the best way to prevent them from turning black. However, if they start to turn black, you can try one of the methods above to clean them.
5. Wear and Tear
Floor materials do not wear the same way. For example, carpets tend to show wear in high-traffic areas by developing footprints.
Linoleum and tile develop scratches from shoes or pets’ nails. In addition, wood floors may suffer from water stains or sun fading.
Laminate floors can also become worn, but the damage is not as visible. Because laminate consists of multiple layers of material bonded together, the top layer can start to separate from the bottom, causing the laminate to warp. As this damage worsens, you will see black spots where the layers have pulled apart.
Prevention is key when it comes to wear and tear on your laminate floors. Make sure you’re using floor mats at all entrances to your home, and avoid wearing high heels or hard-soled shoes inside.
If you have pets, trim their nails regularly to prevent them from scratching the floors. Finally, vacuum or sweep the floors regularly to prevent dirt and grit from damaging the surface.
6. Oil And Grease Stains
Another common reason laminate floors turn black is oil and grease stains. If you don’t clean up oil and grease spills quickly, they can seep into the laminate and cause it to discolor.
The best way to clean up oil and grease stains is to blot them with a paper towel or a cloth. Once you’ve done that, you can use a little bit of dish soap and water to remove the rest of the stain.
Cleaning up oil and grease stains as soon as they happen is the best way to prevent your laminate floors from turning black.
If you have tough grease stains, you can use a laminate floor cleaner like Bona Hard Surface Floor Cleaner.
7. Water Stains
Lastly, water stains can also cause laminate floors to turn black. If you spill water on your laminate floor and don’t clean it up right away, the water can seep into the cracks and crevices of the flooring and cause the laminate to turn black.
To prevent this from happening, clean up any spills as soon as possible. You should also avoid mopping the floor with a lot of water, which can also cause the laminate to turn black.
How To Fix Black Spots On Laminate Floors
If your laminate floors have already started to turn black, then the best solution is to replace the affected boards. But this will depend on what’s causing your laminate floors to turn black.
If it’s due to pet urine, you can try cleaning the area with a good laminate floor cleaner. But if the damage is already severe, you’ll need to replace the affected boards.
The same goes for wear and tear. Again, if the damage is minor, you can try sanding down the affected areas and refinishing them. But if the damage is severe, you’ll need to replace the affected boards.
In most cases, the best solution is to replace the affected boards. This will ensure that your laminate floors stay in good condition and last many years.
Key Takeaway
Laminate floors can turn black for a number of reasons – from mold and mildew to exposure to sunlight. If you notice your laminate flooring starting to turn black, it’s important to clean it up right away and take steps to prevent it from happening again.
Please share this article with your friends and family if you found it helpful. And if you have any questions, feel free to comment below. Thanks for reading!
FAQs
Q: Can black spots on laminate floors be removed?
A: If the black spots are due to dirt or grime, you can try cleaning the area with a good laminate floor cleaner. But if the damage is already severe, you’ll need to replace the affected boards.
Q: How do I prevent my laminate floors from turning black?
A: Prevention is key when it comes to laminate floors turning black. Make sure you’re using floor mats at all entrances to your home, and avoid wearing high heels or hard-soled shoes inside.
If you have pets, trim their nails regularly to prevent them from scratching the floors. Finally, vacuum or sweep the floors regularly to prevent dirt and grit from damaging the surface.