How to Refinish a Laminate Floor
Laminate flooring has become a popular do-it-yourself project because of its ease of installation, ease of maintenance and low cost. Laminate flooring holds up well to water and stains, but over time and with wear and tear, scratches and scuffs will develop that will need attention. Unlike hardwood floors that can be refinished by sanding and staining, laminate flooring can only be refurbished or replaced. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- 4-cups warm water
- 1/4-cup white vinegar
- Laminate floor repair kit
- Light-colored pencil eraser
- Mr. Clean Magic Eraser
- Tennis shoe with a white sole
- WD-40 lubricant
Instructions
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Prepare the floor by thoroughly vacuuming or wet-mopping the area of the flooring that needs attention. Using a mixture of 4-cups warm water and 1/4-cup white vinegar, clean the area making sure not to over-wet the area as this could cause warping. Allow the floor to dry.
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Use a laminate repair kit to repair scratches. This can be purchased at most hardware stores. These kits usually contain colored putty to match your flooring. It is always best to test this on a hidden area to check the color-match. Follow the product's instructions when applying the putty, and run it in the direction of the scratches. Remove any excess and allow to set and dry.
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Rid the laminate of small scuff marks. Use an everyday pencil eraser and rub over the scuff mark. Remove any eraser shavings when done. Or, using a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser can also be successful. For larger scuff marks, use the sole of a tennis shoe. With your hand inside the shoe, rub the heel portion over the scuff mark. Another way to remove scuff marks is with WD-40 lubricant. Using a small amount on a cloth, gently rub over the scuff area and wipe clean when done.
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For large, deep scratches that cannot be repaired with these techniques, the piece of flooring will need to be removed and replaced. If the laminate floor is glueless, simply remove the boards back to the one needing replacing, replace and reinstall the laminate pieces. If you feel uncomfortable doing this yourself, contact a flooring professional.
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Tips & Warnings
When using a pencil eraser, it is best to use a light-colored or clear eraser as a colored eraser could leave a color mark on light-colored laminate. Use a white-soled tennis shoe so no dark marks will be left from rubbing with a dark-soled shoe.
There are many good products on the market for removing scuff marks from laminate flooring. Be sure to read the label first to ensure the product is safe for your flooring, and always test the product on a hidden section first before using.
