White film on hardwood floors can make the floors look hazy, milky, and old. This film can raise questions about floor maintenance, cleaning methods, and even repairs. In order to remove the white film, it is important to identify the underlying cause. In this post, we are going to discuss how to get white film off your floors! You can also learn about 5 awesome homemade protectants for your floor here).
Possible Causes
A host of factors can be responsible for the white film on hardwood floors. Here are some possible causes:
- Improper cleaning products
- Poor application of the finish
- Unnecessary waxing
- Application of too many cleaning products
- Too much cleaning
- Moisture
- Salt deposits
5 Methods to Get White Film Off Your Floors!
- Steam Cleaning
This method is very effective for removing stubborn stains and dirt from hardwood floors. The high temperature of the steam kills household germs and sanitizes the surface. The method is equally effective for removing the white film.
However, you can use steam only if the floor is completely sealed. To get the best results, you a high-quality steam mop. Instead of using harsh chemicals, steam mops use only water.
When you are using a steam mop, do not leave it in one place for long. Also, do not use hard water because it can discolor the finish.
- Cleaning with Vinegar
White vinegar is a non-toxic, natural product that safely disinfects, deodorizes, and cleans hard surfaces.
Being mildly acidic, white vinegar can effectively dissolve hardened residue such as hard water stains and grease. You can use apple cider vinegar instead of white vinegar. To mask the strong scent of vinegar, you can mix some essential oil.
The procedure of cleaning with vinegar is pretty straightforward. First, take a bucket and fill it with some hot water. The water should be at least warm because it can effectively loosen grime and dirt.
Then add some vinegar to the water. As a rule of thumb, you should add two cups of vinegar with one gallon of water. Blend the vinegar solution properly.
Make sure you clean the floor before you start mopping it. Here is how to get white film off hardwood floors. Rub the floors with a damp cloth, in a circular motion. After that, remove the vinegar-water mixture with another piece of clean cloth.
Wipe the floors properly. If you allow the vinegar water to dry, you will have to deal with dry spots again.
- Cleaning with Ammonia
Ammonia can effectively remove spots, sticky stains, and scuff marks from hardwood floors.
Ammonia produces an overpowering smell, and that is why many people avoid using it. However, if you dilute ammonia with a lot of water, you can avoid this smell to a great extent. And when you mop the floor, make sure the windows of the room are open.
Do not make the mistake of mixing ammonia with chlorine. This toxic mixture can be deadly, and it will definitely irritate the eyes.
Also, rinse the ammonia properly once you have removed the stains. Do not skip this step because if traces of ammonia are left on the wood floors, later you will find it harder to remove dirt and dust particles.
Here is how to get white film off hardwood floors with ammonia:
Remove excess dirt from your wood floor by sweeping or mopping. Take a large bucket and fill half of it with lukewarm water. Add a cup of ammonia to the water and mix properly. This solution can not only remove the cloudy look of your floors but also disinfect them.
Dip the mop into the solution. Wring out the solution thoroughly. The goal is to avoid using excess ammonia because that can cause damage to your floors.
Now, to remove the white film, rub the floor gently, in a circular motion. And once you have removed the white film, spots, marks, and stains, use a piece of clean cloth to remove the traces of ammonia.
If needed, wipe the floors multiple times because removing the traces of ammonia is important.
- Cleaning with Just Lukewarm Water
The presence of salt deposits can also make wood floors look cloudy and hazy. To remove salt deposits, you can use just some lukewarm water. Here is how it can be done:
Take a bucket and fill it with some lukewarm water. Wipe over the cloudy areas with a damp cloth. Do not use a sponge or a spring mop, because they are not good at absorbing moisture.
After that, wipe the floor with a clean, dry cloth.
- Vacuum Cleaning
Before you mop your hardwood floors, vacuum the floors. Sticky debris will not tarnish the floor.
Vacuuming is important because if you mop the floor without vacuuming, the soil will get dissolved, resulting in sticky mud on the surface. And when you walk on the floor, soil and dirt will damage the luster of the floor.
Remember, you cannot use any type of vacuum cleaner on a hardwood floor. Use a vacuum cleaner with soft brushes.
What about Prevention?
When it comes to addressing white film on hardwood floors, prevention is definitely better than cure.
In order to ensure the durability of your hardwood floor, you have to prioritize maintenance. Here are a few tips to remember:
- When mopping, use a damp cloth, microfiber mop, and a fine spray mist. Do not use things like wax, oil soap, and wood cleaners because they can damage your floor.
- Make sure water does not settle for long on hardwood floors. This water can lead to haziness or cloudiness.
- Use ammonia solution in moderation, because this solution can warp the wood and strip off the finish.
Final Thoughts
In order to choose the right type of cleaning solution, you have to figure out what is causing the white film on your hardwood floors. You should also mop the floor in the right way. And if you fail to do so, you may not be able to restore the original luster and beauty of your hardwood floor. We hope now you know more about the issue, and you will take the right steps.