Laminate flooring should be maintained and cleaned very differently to other types of flooring.
For instance:
You should NOT use wax on laminate flooring. If you apply wax to laminate, it won’t shine. Waxing laminate has the opposite effect of what it does on hardwood. Instead of making your laminate flooring sparkle, wax makes it appear hazy and gray.
What You Should Use On Laminate Flooring
To keep your laminate looking brand new, it is best to stick to a laminate floor cleaner or simply vinegar and water.
From my personal experience, I have found that water and vinegar do an excellent job of bringing out the original shine.
You can also add some lemon juice or essential oils to your vinegar water to increase the shine, and mask the scent of the vinegar.
To make your own DIY laminate cleaner simply combine equal amounts of hot water and white vinegar in a spray bottle (with a touch of lemon if you desire), and spray the floor before mopping it with a microfiber mop.
This will ensure your laminate flooring lasts a long time and also retains its shine.
1 cup hot water
add some drops of lemon (or essential oils)
It is also common for people to add an equal measure (1 cup) of rubbing alcohol which is said to help with the drying of your floor as well as adding a sanitizing component to the mixture, though this is a personal choice.
Try it on your floors and see what a difference it makes.
Alternatively, if you are looking for an easier way to clean your laminate you could always try a hard floor cleaner.
Waxing laminate flooring is a bad idea. The wax will dull the shine of the surface and make it more susceptible to scratches. The best thing you can do to keep your laminate looking new is to mop with water and vinegar or use a laminate cleaning solution.
