Vinyl flooring looks like tile or wood flooring, but it’s a bit different. The first thing you might notice about vinyl floors is that they look great!
Vinyl is popular because it has a strong finish that makes cleaning easy. Plus, there are many styles and colors to choose from.
Vinyl floors are ideal for busy homes with kids, pets, and other family members.
These types of floors often have tough surfaces that require some extra care to keep them looking new.
However, unlike hardwood floors, which usually need expensive refinishing every few years, most vinyl needs only dusting and sweeping once in a while.
How To Deep Clean Vinyl Floors
Let’s get straight into it! There are a few ways you can clean your vinyl floor. Below is the most popular and effective method that will leave you with beautifully clean floors.
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Supplies Needed:
- A broom
- baking soda
- salt
- apple cider or white vinegar
- vinyl floor cleaner
- putty knife
- Dawn dish soap
- WD-40
- rags
- dish soap
- bucket
- microfiber mop
- scrub brush
Once you have those items, you can follow the steps below to clean your vinyl floors!
1. Vacuum Or Sweep
Start with cleaning your floors. Use a vacuum cleaner with a hard floor attachment if you want to get rid of surface dust.
Buff out scuff marks and check for scuff marks before you mop.
Clean hard-to-reach places, such as baseboards, corners and other hard-to-get-at spots. Use a damp toothbrush or a scrub brush to clean stubborn dirt.
2. Mop
Use a microfiber mop for this step. The mop absorbs oil from the floor that's left behind after vacuuming.
To clean most stains on vinyl floor surfaces, spray water first and blot up the liquid with a rag.
If the stain remains, use a solution of one cup vinegar to four cups hot tap water.
For really tough spills, wash the entire floor with a mild detergent and then rinse thoroughly. Let the floor dry completely, and apply another coat of wax.
3. Scrub
For scuffs and scratches, use an old toothbrush and a mixture of ¼ cup baking soda and ¼ cup salt mixed together into ½ cup water.
Wipe down any residue after scrubbing. When all of the grime has been removed, buff the floor using a soft cloth.
For stubborn scuffs use a squirt of WD-40 and buff with a microfiber cloth.
How To Prevent Damage To Vinyl Floors
To prevent dust and dirt from accumulating on vinyl floors, put protective covers under lamps, coffee tables, computer monitors, end tables, and other furniture where they don’t belong.
Vinyl flooring should be protected whenever possible because it attracts dirt easier than wood does.
Vacuum Regularly
Before moving things out of the way, vacuum the floor with a regular vacuum cleaner fitted with a crevice attachment and replace the filter every six months.
In addition to removing the debris trapped in the wires, the vacuum removes lint and pet hair.
Vacuum upholstery and drapes to get rid of any particles that may have been stuck there. Then sweep up loose crumbs and throw them away.
Best mops for vinyl floors 2022
- O Cedar Pro Mist Max Microfiber
- Turbo Microfiber Mop Floor Cleaning System
- Mastertop Two Sided Dust Mop
- Domipatrol Spray Mop
- Bona Hard Surface Spray Mop
How Not to Clean Vinyl Flooring
There are a few areas of caution and products to avoid when it comes to cleaning vinyl flooring:
- When vacuuming vinyl, do not use a “beater bar” attachment; this can damage the flooring surface.
- Never use highly abrasive scrubbers or steel wool.
- Do not use detergents, abrasive cleaners, or “mop and shine” products, because these can leave a dull film on the floor.
- Do not use paste wax or solvent-based polishes.
- Do not use ammonia or ammonia-based cleaning solutions on vinyl flooring; these can break down the material and cause cracks in the flooring
Maintaining Your Vinyl Flooring
Vinyl floors should be cleaned regularly to prevent them from becoming dirty.
Mats must be used to protect floors. Scratches from furniture can damage the appearance of floors.
Heavy objects can harm floors if placed directly on them. Furniture should be moved carefully to avoid damaging floors. Heavy objects should be placed on soft surfaces.
This prevents them from scratching the floor. You can buy felt feet online or at your local hardware store.
These feet are soft and won't damage hardwood floors.
When moving furniture place plywood sheets under the legs of the furniture. Move the furniture over the plywood sheets.
Frequently Asked Questions
The high heat from steam can lead to warping on vinyl floors, and the extremely hot water (or excessive water) can seep into joints and affect the integrity of the glue that holds the floor together.
When you clean with water — like if you make your own solution for a weekly deep clean — use it sparingly and always aim for warm water instead of hot.
Yes-Murphy Oil is a great choice for vinyl floor cleaning since it's clear and 98% derived from natural ingredients.
It's safe to use Pine-Sol Multi-Surface Cleaner on vinyl floor surfaces, whether it's Original Pine-Sol or Scented Pine-Sol cleaners.
Pine-Sol's effectiveness as a safe vinyl floor cleaner and disinfectant is due to its formulation
Avoid cleaning a vinyl floor with bleach: It's a harsh cleaner that can lead to corrosion or damage to the vinyl finish.
To that end, skip the ammonia and “mop and shine” products, too
If you're serious about keeping your home looking great for years to come, then take some time learning how to properly maintain your floors.
Vinyl flooring can look good as new as long as you put effort into cleaning!