Vinyl flooring is a popular flooring choice for many homes due to its durability, affordability, and easy maintenance. Properly caring for your vinyl floors will help keep them looking beautiful for years. Here are some tips on how to clean and maintain vinyl flooring.
Regular Cleaning of Vinyl Flooring
- Sweep or vacuum your vinyl flooring at least once a week to remove dirt, dust, and debris that can scratch the floor’s surface over time. Make sure to use a soft brush attachment and avoid vacuum cleaners with beater bars.
- Mop your floors at least once a week using a vinyl floor cleaner or a solution of warm water and a pH neutral cleaner. Avoid household cleaners like ammonia, bleach, and abrasive scouring powder as these can damage and discolor vinyl.
- When mopping, use a damp mop and avoid flooding the floor. Wring out mops and change out cleaning solution frequently.
- For tough spots and stains, use a damp cloth, sponge or non-abrasive scrub brush with warm soapy water. Rinse well and allow the spot to completely dry before walking on it.
- Always read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for use and care of your specific vinyl floor.
Vinyl Floor Maintenance Tips
- Place mats inside and outside of exterior doorways to prevent dirt, grit and moisture from being tracked onto your vinyl floors, causing scratches and damage.
- Use area rugs in high traffic areas and furniture rests under heavy pieces to distribute weight and prevent indentations.
- Avoid walking on your vinyl floors with shoes that have heels, very pointy heels or spikes which can scratch and puncture the vinyl surface.
- Maintain humidity levels between 35% – 55% year round. Fluctuating moisture levels can cause vinyl planks to contract and expand, leading to separation between planks.
- Vacuum or sweep your vinyl floor before mopping to maximize vinyl floor cleaning. The debris acts like sandpaper that can scratch floors.
- Rearrange furniture and decor periodically to allow even exposure to sunlight and prevent permanent indentations from heavy items.
Routine Deep Cleaning
Twice a year, deep clean your vinyl flooring thoroughly from corner to corner to remove grime buildup, residual soiling and stains that regular cleaning can miss.
- Sweep and vacuum floors first before washing. Use a vinegar-based vinyl floor cleaner and follow label instructions closely.
- Work in sections using a sponge mop, soft brush or non-abrasive pad specially designed for vinyl floors. Avoid flooding the floor.
- Let cleaning solution dwell for 5-10 minutes before scrubbing so it can penetrate and dissolve the stubborn grime and dirt.
- Rinse well with clean water until all residue, dirt and traces of cleaner are removed. Repeat the rinse if necessary. Remaining cleaner residue can make floors appear dull or sticky.
- Allow floors to dry completely for 6-8 hours before walking on them again. Ensure good ventilation in the room for faster drying.
Vinyl Floor Refinishing Options
If you vinyl floor has lost its luster and shine due to heavy wear and tear, consider recoating or refinishing options to restore it instead of replacing the whole floor.
- Floor polishes: Vinyl floor polishes containing acrylic or urethane resins can seal scratches, restore gloss and provide stain resistance when applied properly. Requires reapplication every 1-2 years.
- Vinyl floor refinishing coat: Can fix heavily worn floors. Multi-layer coats fill scratches and cracks and offer stain protection. It lasts 1-5 years before recoat needed.
- Vinyl plank overlays: Affixing new vinyl planks over existing floor offers a fresh surface while being more economical than full floor replacement.
With proper care and regular maintenance cleaning, vinyl floors can remain resilient and beautiful for over 10 years. Being gentle and protecting vinyl from harsh abrasives are key for long floor lifespan.