Best Ways to Clean and Maintain the Quality of Vinyl Flooring

Vinyl flooring has gained popularity over the years because of how easily accessible and durable it is. Since it is now a common flooring material, people have been looking for the best cleaner for vinyl floors. Should you use cleaning agents made from natural ingredients or should you only use commercial cleaners manufactured for vinyl? Read on to find out.

What is the best way to clean vinyl floors?

Vinyl is a type of flooring material that is considered to be among the most durable in the market. However, it is still prudent to take good care of it if you plan to keep it for as long as possible. The charm of vinyl floors is how shiny and smooth their texture is. Unfortunately, harsh chemicals, abrasives, and even residue from common objects like candles can ruin this flooring material if proper care is not done. 

Surprisingly, the best way to clean your vinyl floor is still to use your old trusty broom and mop. These two always go together. The floor requires sweeping with a soft-bristled broom in order to remove dirt, debris, and dust first before mopping it. This way, the floor does not get scratched with any sharp debris or dirt on the floor. 

When mopping the floor, it is highly recommended to use warm water. You do not need to add anything else. Just damp the mop with warm water and you can easily remove any remnant of the dust and dirt that your broom has not swept away. 

Mopping your floor regularly will also ensure that stains are removed from newer floors. However, if the floor is older or if the stain has hardened, adding some detergent may help in removing tough stains on the floor. 

Can you use vinegar to clean vinyl floors? 

Yes, it is safe to use vinegar to clean vinyl floors. In particular, you should use apple cider vinegar diluted with a gallon of warm water. Damp the mop with the mixture and use it to clean your floor and prepare a separate bucket of warm water to clean your mop from the dirt that was absorbed. 

Vinegar is naturally acidic and this property is powerful in removing crusted dirt without the soapy film that is left when using a detergent and water mixture. If you have tougher stains and hardened dirt and dust on your floor. You can also mix a few drops of detergent in your vinegar and water mixture for additional cleaning strength. 

In order to avoid a soapy film on the floor. You can prepare a separate bucket of water, vinegar, and soap mixture as well as a bucket of just vinegar and water mixture. Mop the floor first with the mixture having detergent and then use the water and vinegar mixture as a final cleaning mixture. This way, all the detergent will be mopped clear off of the floor along with the dust, dirt, grime, and stain that you are trying to remove from the floor. 

How do you clean and maintain vinyl flooring?

Now that you have an idea of how to clean your vinyl plank flooring. You should also be aware of the ways you can maintain your floor in its best condition. Cleaning your vinyl floor may depend on what particular problem you are dealing with. That is if you are removing a stain, grime, grease, or other problems. 

The following are helpful tips for dealing with particular floor problems:

 Use baking soda to remove stubborn stains

There can be times when certain liquids spill on an area on the floor that a mop and broom cannot easily reach. You may end up discovering the stain after moving around certain appliances or furniture. By that time, the stain has hardened and become stubborn that regular mopping cannot remove it. 

You can try making a baking soda paste by mixing two tablespoons of baking soda and a tablespoon of water. Apply this mixture to the stain and gently rub it off. Keep trying to remove it until it begins to discolor and fade. 

Use rubbing alcohol on extremely stubborn stains

If the stains have become extremely stubborn and will not fade even with a baking soda paste, try using rubbing alcohol. This is especially useful when trying to remove permanent markers, ink, and grease stains. Do not pour the rubbing alcohol directly on the floor as this may damage it. Instead, pour some on a microfiber cloth and then gently dab it on the stain.

Once you see the stain transfer from the floor to the microfiber cloth, use the portions where there are no stains in order to clear off the rest of the stains from the floor. 

Dishwashing soap is still the best cleaning material to use on grease

Removing grease stains, even the hardened ones, is still best addressed by using a dish detergent. You can either use a mixture of dish detergent and water or you can add vinegar to it. Either way, grease easily comes off the floor if dishwashing detergent is used.

Meanwhile, in maintaining the quality of the floor, you should also know what not to do. The following are useful notes to keep in mind:

Do not use a “beater bar” attachment when vacuuming the floor as this can damage the vinyl floor surface. Avoid using highly abrasive cleaning tools such as steel wool or a scrubber as these materials can scratch the floor. 

Steer clear from using solvent-based polishes or paste wax as these are not formulated to be applied to surfaces such as vinyl.

Absolutely stay away from using ammonia or ammonia-based cleaning products because these materials are known to break down vinyl and, in fact, can cause cracks on your floor. 

If you take good care of your floor by cleaning it with the right tools and maintaining its quality. It can last you a lifetime. 

How much does vinyl floor cleaner cost?

Vinyl cleaners which are also common household products are more affordable than products that are specially formulated for vinyl floors. Likewise, these are usually products that are on your usual grocery list. You will not need to add more to your budget. For instance, apple cider vinegar, baking powder, rubbing alcohol, and dish detergent are staples in your home and will not entail additional costs on your part. 

However, if you prefer using products that are specially formulated for vinyl surfaces, you will have to spend more. Among the top cleaning products for vinyl flooring in the market include the following: 

Aunt Fannie’s Vinegar Wash Floor Cleaner The best thing about this cleaner is that it is non-toxic, and safe to use if you have kids or pets. 

Method Hard Floor Cleaner This was made for people who do not have much time for cleaning. It is equipped with a spray nozzle feature that can be used to easily apply the product on the floor and wipe off dirt, grime, and stains without leaving behind residue.

Grove Co. Floor Cleaner Concentrate Glass Spray Bottle with Silicone Concentrate The set comes with 2 packs of floor cleaner concentrate and a glass spray bottle with a silicone sleeve. It also prides itself for having plastic-free packaging, which makes it among the most environment-friendly cleaning products. 

Cleaning products do not really have to be expensive. You can use ordinary household items. However, if you have luxury vinyl floors and would like the best luxury vinyl floor cleaner, it is advisable to go for products that are specially formulated for vinyl surfaces.