Cleaning & Maintaining Vinyl Floors

Anytime you install a new floor in your home, you want to go the extra mile to ensure it stays looking its best for years to come. Scratches, dull designs, and scuff marks can give your home or office an older, shabbier look. With the proper maintenance and cleaning, vinyl flooring can withstand most of the abuse it sees and stay gorgeous for years.

Here are a few tips to help you keep your floors looking like new year after year.

Sweep Regularly

Dust, dirt, and other debris can cause your floors to scratch. The faster you get this off your vinyl, the less wear and tear you’ll see.

Sweeping your floors regularly is the best way to keep them clean and scratch free. We recommend using a microfiber mop pad. If you’d rather use a vacuum, you can do that too. Remember, never use the beater bar on your vacuum when cleaning vinyl flooring. Take it off to prevent additional abuse.

Wash Your Floors Weekly

If you’re sweeping regularly, you won’t need to wash your floors as often – depending on how busy your household is. We recommend a weekly cleaning with a micro-fiber wet mop using a pH neutral cleaning agent.

When you mop, follow your manufacturer’s instructions closely. Don’t use harsh chemicals or abrasives. You could risk stripping away the top protective layer if you use the wrong cleaning agent. Stick with the recommended cleaners. For example, if you have no-wax vinyl floors, always use cleaners intended for no-wax floors. Avoid products with waxes, lotions or conditioners, as these can leave a film residue.

Spot Clean

Accidents happen. Even though vinyl is moisture resistant and has a tough top coat, staining and discoloration can still happen with more acidic liquids and chemicals. If any accidents happen, it’s best to clean it as soon as possible with a damp cloth and the pH neutral cleaner that is manufacturer recommend.

Keep the Shine

There are two types of vinyl – low gloss and high gloss. To keep your floors with the perfect level of shine, use a protective finish, vinyl specific sealant whenever you feel it’s time for restoration. This will vary depending on the wear and tear your floors see.

As always, be sure to use the manufacturer’s recommended products to restore the gloss.

Prevent Scuffs and Scrapes

There are things you can do to prevent scuffs and scrapes. This will help you in maintaining your floors and keeping them clean.

Use felt pads on the bottom of your furniture. This way, whenever you slide your chair back from the kitchen table or move your couch, you don’t risk scratching the floor.

Use entryway rugs and doormats. These will take away the bulk of the dirt and moisture hitting your flooring.

Never scrub your floors. Scrubbing will scratch and scrape away the protective layer hurting your floors. If there’s a stain, use the proper cleaning solution to gently remove it with a cloth.

Keeping your vinyl flooring looking its best requires some (not a lot) of regular maintenance. By following these tips you’ll have beautiful vinyl flooring for years to come.