Removing the ‘smoking smell’ from a place that has hardwood / Pergo Laminate Flooring (painting, cleaner)

[ColoWeb]

I know we had a thread on removing the smoke smell by painting, replacing carpet, replacing the air filter, and clearing out the air ducts. However, I want to bring this question up again but in a situation where, instead of carpet, the place has wood / Pergo Laminate Flooring. Can anything be done to remove the smoking smell from that?

[findinghope]

besides repainting and getting the ductwork clean, i guess just get a wood cleaner for the floors

[southernnaturelover]

I wouldn't think that Pergo (laminate) would hold an odor since it has a sealed surface. Just mop it really good.

[revelated]

That must have been a LOT of smoking to have left the smell in the floor. That'd irritate me.

Aren't there special steam-based machines designed to lift out odors from the laminate flooring?

[Barking Spider]

I don't think it's a good idea to put steam on laminate flooring.

Are you sure the odor is coming from the flooring? Has the flooring been cleaned properly?

If the painted surfaces were not cleaned prior to painting, the smell may bleed through. The nicotine stains can be on every other surface in the house too, light fixtures, outlet and switch covers, cabinets, EVERYWHERE.

I would think that if the laminate flooring was properly cleaned, there would be little odor left.

[mrstewart]

If you have removed the carpet, primed and painted the walls and had the duct work clean maybe you should consider a cleaning crew that cleans up after fires. Maybe they could help you out. Good luck!

[revelated]

Originally Posted by Barking Spider

I don't think it's a good idea to put steam on laminate flooring.

Are you sure the odor is coming from the flooring? Has the flooring been cleaned properly?

If the painted surfaces were not cleaned prior to painting, the smell may bleed through. The nicotine stains can be on every other surface in the house too, light fixtures, outlet and switch covers, cabinets, EVERYWHERE.

I would think that if the laminate flooring was properly cleaned, there would be little odor left.

You can use steam on laminate flooring - if you do it right.

[ColoWeb]

Thanks for the input everyone. I will check on this again and see.

[Barking Spider]

I have done some web searching to answer this question, and have not found a clear answer,

The Armstrong web site shows lots of cleaning products available, and tell you not to wax it or do a couple other things, but does not specifically say not to steam. However, there are many warnings about excess moisture.

In several threads there was talk of voiding the warranty if you steamed laminate, or ruining the finish.

On the steam cleaner sites they say you can clean just about anything with their products - so no help their either.

I'm going to look for my care and feeding paperwork from when we installed our laminate. I just remember a lot of warnings about excess moisture and problems. We had a tenant decide to "mop" his laminate floor and the laminate swelled up and buckled, and we had to replace about 500 SF of flooring. But he used a lot of water I think.

Most of the laminate flooring sites say that vinegar is the best cleaner, and suggest using swiffer or those type mops with their cleaning products (of course).

Unless I saw the laminate manf. say it was OK to use steam, I don't think I would use it - but that's just me.

[ColoWeb]

Thanks Barking Spider! Good info!