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Hazy Hardwood Floors? 

Hardwood floors are supposed to have a beauty and radiance that bring out the best in any living space. They’re also long-lasting, easy to clean and maintain, and resistant to stains and spills. However, everything about this floor is perfect until you start seeing haze on the surface. Nobody likes cloudy, hazy hardwood floors that look dull. You might ask yourself why this is happening and how you can remove the haze from the floor. Well, don’t despair. Read on to learn how to restore the shininess and aesthetic of your floor.

What Do Hazy Hardwood Floors Look Like?

Like the photo above this article, your glimmering and remarkable hardwood flooring can become hazy over time. In other words, the floor may have a milky, whitish, and cloudy substance on top of the surface even after cleaning, making the wood floors look dull. Using cleaning products that leave residues behind is the main reason behind hazy floors, but let’s look at other contributing factors.

Why Do Hardwood Floors Get Cloudy?

Identifying the root causes of the haze can help you take appropriate care to remove the film and restore your floor. Here are some reasons why hardwood floors get hazy:

Harmful cleaning agents: With the market flooded with all types of wood cleaning products, it’s no surprise that substandard cleaners are the main culprit of haze on your floors. There are lots of bad cleaners advertised on the radio, TV, and social media. If a cleaner has paste wax, furniture polish, or oil soaps in it, it will leave a hazy, sticky buildup on the floor. Before using any product, spray it on the window or mirror and wipe it off. If it doesn’t leave behind streaks or signs of residue, you’re good to go.

Note: Even the right product can cause hazy floors if used in excess. Less is more when cleaning a hardwood floor. If you are looking for the right product, look no further than Dave’s Citrus Floor Cleaner. 

Moisture issues: Water doesn’t mix well with hardwood. The salt deposits and minerals in water can react with the floor finish and leave a cloudy appearance with uneven sheen.

Wax buildup: Waxing floors that don’t need waxing, such as floors with a polyurethane finish, will cause a reaction with the finish, which creates a cloudy look.

Incorrect application of finish: If a finish is applied over a stain or the previous coat did not fully dry before application, the solvent vapors trapped beneath it will create a dull look.

Tips To Prevent Hardwood Flooring From Getting Hazy

If your hardwood isn’t properly maintained, chances are the floor won’t last long, and over time, its gleaming finish will be ruined, causing a cloudy look. Here are some crucial tips to observe and prevent hardwood floors from getting hazy:

  • Cleaning, dust-mopping and sweeping will help get rid of large particles of debris and dirt that can ruin your floor
  • If you’re damp-cleaning, use pH neutral cleaners that are gentled on the hardwood floor but tough on stains
  • Use a fine spray mist to clean sections to avoid putting too much water or liquid on the wood floor
  • Use a microfiber mop as it absorbs excess liquid while cleaning

What Can Be Done To Restore Hazy Floors?

To rid the cloudy hardwood floor look, you need to dissolve and remove the built-up layer by following these tips. While Dave’s does not typically recommend ammonia and vinegar in most cases, these are some options that can work, if you are extremely careful. Don’t be afraid to call a professional or use a professional product. 

Ammonia Solution

Ammonia is a powerful cleaner for sticky stains, black spots, and scuff marks on the floor. You can use one cup of ammonia dissolved in a gallon of water to clear up the haze buildup. Simply dampen your mop, gently rub the affected floor area, rinse thoroughly to remove ammonia residue, and pat dry with a cloth to remove excess water.

Vinegar

White vinegar is a non-toxic, natural product that can deodorize, clean, and disinfect hard surfaces. It is mildly acidic and can dissolve hardened residue, including hard water stains and grease. Mix a one-to-one ratio of water and vinegar, dampen a cloth, and rub off the hazy buildups. Rinse with another cloth dampened with clear water and dry the floor immediately with a third rag.

Remove The Existing Finish

Washing coupled with wear and tear can eventually make the hardwood floor look old and cloudy. Floor sanding and refinishing is an excellent way of giving your surface a new look. To achieve the best results, hire a professional to remove the existing finish and rejuvenate the floor with new wood polish and other restoration products.

Hazy flooring? We have a long-lasting solution!

Is your formerly gorgeous and gleaming hardwood floor looking hazy? Don’t worry; Dave’s Floor Sanding and Installing Inc. of Minnesota is here to help. We’re experts in refinishing and restoring hardwood floors to repair and prevent the annoying white milky look. We use specially designed non-residue products to clean and protect your floors from dulling.

Call us today at 763-784-3000 or contact us online if you have any questions or if you would like us to help clean, protect and restore your hardwood floor!