Cleaning Vinyl Floors
Vinyl Floor Cleaning
Vinyl floors are very popular for bathrooms, kitchens and even basements.
There are few reasons for this popularity: vinyl floors are relatively inexpensive and durable, and they are easy to care for. Today, vinyl floors can look like marble, wood, and tile and vinyl flooring comes in sheets, tiles, and planking.
With so many different types of flooring materials on the market, how can you tell if your floors are topped with vinyl?
The best way is to take a close up look at the floor. If there is an out of sight piece of flooring (in a corner where the flooring is curling back), this is a good place to start.
If the color and pattern is only on the top or surface layer, then it is likely vinyl. Other types of laminate/linoleum feature’s a deeper set coloring.
Vinyl flooring was introduced around 1947, so if your home is older than that, there’s a good chance you have vinyl flooring.
With proper vinyl care and maintenance, you can be sure your vinyl floor will always looks its best.
Tips for Cleaning and Caring for Vinyl Floors
- Tracked in dirt and grime and soil is enemy #1. This will destroy your flooring and make it look scratched and dirty very quickly. Sweep your floors regularly to keep any abrasive soil or grit and grime off the surface.
- Use felt pads on the legs of tables and chairs and other furnishings to avoid scratching the floor.
- Adding floor mats both inside and outside your entrances will help prevent any dirt from being tracked inside. Avoid using rubber-backed rugs on vinyl flooring – the rubber can stain the floor.
- Proper care of your vinyl floor will prevent damage and extend its life and keep it looking great for years.
Sweep Vinyl Floors Daily
You may hate a dirty floor, but trust me when I say that your floor hates it more. Dirt tracked in on shoes can work like sandpaper on vinyl flooring, scratching and pitting it.
Check out the bottom of your shoes and you will find small rocks, caked on dirt, and who knows what. Make it your new habit to sweep or vacuum your vinyl floors before mopping, and your floors will reward you by look new for many years.
The best way to avoid these dirt scratches is to sweep your vinyl floors on a daily basis using a soft bristled brush, Swiffer Sweeper, or vacuum (using the brush attachment) to pick up any loose dust or dirt.
Mopping Vinyl Floors
The best tactic to use when mopping a vinyl floor is a soft one. Use a mild cleanser. You may think a harsher cleaner will make cleaning vinyl floors easier, but harsh solutions will only dull the floors by stripping away the shiny surface.
Something as simple as water and dish detergent can often clean vinyl floors more effectively than any commercial cleaner.
Don’t Over-Wet Vinyl Floors
Too much water on your vinyl floors and you will begin to notice the corners pulling up and the underside warping. Be sure to wring your mop out well when cleaning vinyl floors and always dry your floors thoroughly with towels after a good scrubbing.
Otherwise, water from your mop will seep into the corners and cracks of the vinyl and begin to eat away at the glue. After awhile, this will destroy the integrity of your flooring and it will need to be replaced.
Swiffer mops are a good alternative when mopping your floors.
Steer Clear of Any Wax Products
Most vinyl floors these days are no-wax varieties and therefore should not come into contact with any cleaning agents that contain wax. Otherwise you will begin to see a build up that clouds your flooring and makes it look grungy.
Deep Cleaning Vinyl Floors
When you notice a lot of dirt and grime building up on your floors and want to give them a good scrubbing, you can scrub your floor with a white nylon-backed sponge.
Wet the floors with your cleaning solution and wait a few minutes to allow the cleaner to soften and loosed the grime, then wipe dry with a soft dry cloth. Rinse if necessary and dry completely.
Vinyl floors generally only require warm water when cleaning. We don’t use a detergent on vinyl floors because it always leaves a sticky residue and is tough to rinse clean.
We normally use a cleaning solution of 1/4 cup plain white vinegar to 1 gallon of warm water. This solution cleans well, is residue free and deodorizes at the same time.
Check with the floor manufacturer to see what product is recommended for use with your floor.
Enjoy a Clean Floor!
Vinyl may be a cheaper flooring option than others on the market, but that doesn’t mean that it can’t look great and last a long time.
The key to keeping your vinyl floors looking good is to learn how to clean them properly. Hopefully, these basic tips will show you the best ways to clean vinyl floors without spending a lot of money or energy in the process.
