How To Clean & Care For Vinyl Plank Flooring (2024)

FAQs

How To Clean & Care For Vinyl Plank Flooring? ›

Commercial vinyl floor cleaners are available, but you can make a simple, effective cleaner for vinyl floors by mixing apple cider vinegar with water. The vinegar's acidity removes dirt without leaving a soapy film. Mix one cup of cider vinegar with a gallon of hot water.

Commercial vinyl floor cleaners are available, but you can make a simple, effective cleaner for vinyl floors by mixing apple cider vinegar with water. The vinegar's acidity removes dirt without leaving a soapy film. Mix one cup of cider vinegar with a gallon of hot water.

This may seem like a no brainer, but don't use steel wool or harsh abrasive cleaners on your vinyl flooring. This can cause scratching and damage to your vinyl flooring. Don't use polish on vinyl plank or vinyl tiles with texture.

Sweep or vacuum regularly to remove dirt & grit that can scratch the floor, and wipe up all spills promptly and thoroughly with a damp cloth or mop, washing with a mild detergent when needed. You can restore your floor's original gloss by vacuuming, washing & applying 2-3 coats of floor-restoring polish.

Swiffer wet cloths are designed to be used on most floor surfaces, such as: vinyl.

A dishwashing soap like Dawn is the best way to clean vinyl plank flooring because it will cut grime and grease without stripping your floors or damaging the wear layer. Mix about an ounce of Dawn dish detergent with a gallon of warm (not hot) water for the best results in loosening filth from your floors.

If vinegar isn't enough to remove built-up dirt and grime, go with a pH-neutral cleaning solution like Bona, ZEP, or Armstrong. Usually, you can use these cleaners to mop the floor as you normally would, but follow the instructions on the product label. Pine-Sol is also a suitable option for LVP.

Never use a beater bar on your vacuum cleaner or it could dent, scratch, and damage the vinyl and its protective layer. Sweep any dirt, dust, and debris away using a broom before cleaning the floors. Avoid using rough, scratchy scrubbers, steel wool, and abrasive sponges to clean the floors.

This flexibility that vinyl flooring provides unfortunately comes at a price. Because it is softer than other hard surface flooring, sharp objects and heavy furniture can cause scratches, abrasions, and other permanent damage.

While vinegar is a common ingredient in many homemade floor cleaners, it shouldn't be used on certain household surfaces because it can cause damage. Fortunately, luxury vinyl flooring isn't one of those surfaces. In fact, apple cider vinegar makes an excellent vinyl floor cleaner.

Can you use Swiffer Wet Jet on vinyl plank flooring? ›

You can use a dry Swiffer mop pad on vinyl plank flooring products. The dry Swiffer is an excellent way to capture dust and pet hair for a thorough clean. If you use a Swiffer WetJet, you'll need to refer to your product's directions and make sure that the product is waterproof.

Damp-mop weekly with a mild, non-abrasive floor cleaner and a microfiber mop. Avoid using too much water when you mop. Luxury vinyl doesn't want or need to get drenched.

One of the best vinyl plank flooring cleaners is a cup of apple cider or white vinegar in a gallon of hot water. Dampen your mop, and mop your vinyl plank flooring in the direction of the planks. The vinegar will tackle dirt, grime, and stains without leaving behind streaks or a sudsy mess.

Yes, you can place rugs on vinyl flooring—but some make better choices than others. For instance, rugs with rubber backing can stain vinyl, and abrasive material also risks scuffing your floor.

Dry Mop or Vacuum

Dry mop: Grab a dry mop or a sweeper with dry disposable or reusable microfiber pads and go over your vinyl flooring in long strokes to pick up dirt, hair, and dust. Make sure to go all the way to the baseboards and corners, and use gentle, linear motions to prevent spreading dust around.

Neither natural or synthetic rubber or latex-backed rugs should be used on any type of vinyl flooring. They can react with the top layers of the vinyl floor and cause discoloration or staining, potentially resulting in permanent damage to the floor.

Avoid using ammonia-based cleaning solutions. Don't use bleach as an overall vinyl floor cleaner. Keep away from highly abrasive scrubbers or detergents on vinyl. They can damage the floor, causing cracks or scratches.

Note: Disinfecting wipes that contain bleach are acceptable on vinyl. 7.5 to 9 is the recommended pH for bleach.