How to Clean Vinyl Flooring Without Damaging It

Maintaining vinyl flooring to keep it looking beautiful for a long time is easy if you know what products not to use. Learn how to keep your vinyl flooring in tip-top shape.

Vinyl tile and laminate flooring is attractive and durable, even in the highest traffic situations in the house, but this product is certainly not indestructible. Fortunately, cleaning vinyl flooring is fairly easy and inexpensive, and with proper care, it’s easy to keep the material looking beautiful.

How to keep your vinyl flooring clean

To clean vinyl floors, simply use water and a sponge mop. Wipe up any spills immediately and mop frequently with fresh water. For more intensive cleaning, here are some tips

• Always vacuum or dry mop the floor to remove dirt, dust and lint, and carefully clean under furniture, corners and baseboards before wet cleaning.
• One of the best cleaners for vinyl floors is apple cider vinegar. The acidity of the vinegar helps remove stains without leaving a soap or wax residue. Simply mix 1 cup of apple cider vinegar with 1 gallon of hot water and clean with a damp mop, rinsing the mop frequently with hot water. If you want to disinfect while cleaning, use white vinegar rather than apple cider vinegar. If the floor is particularly dirty, try mopping twice with vinegar and water, once with a mixture of soap, and once with a few drops of liquid detergent. To add a shine to vinyl floors, add a few drops of baby oil to the vinegar and water mixture.
• For stubborn scratches, try applying WD-40 lubricant or jojoba oil to the towel until the scratches disappear. Wash thoroughly with a solution of vinegar and water to remove any traces of lubricant.
• For food stains such as grape juice, mustard, ketchup and tomato sauce, make a paste of baking soda and water and rub gently until the stain disappears. Rinse thoroughly to remove traces of baking soda.
• Brushes with soft nylon bristles can help remove many types of stains, especially when used in conjunction with common household solvents. Rubbing alcohol can be used to remove stains such as lipstick, hair dye and ink. Mineral spirits can be used to remove crayon, paint and marker stains. Nail polish stains can be removed with a nail polish remover containing acetone.

Commercial cleaners for vinyl flooring

Some commercial cleaners are specifically designed for vinyl floors. These include Pine-Sol Multi-Surface Cleaner, Pledge Multi-Surface Floor Cleaner and Armstrong’s Once ‘n Done No-Rinse Floor Cleaner.

How to Prevent Damage to Vinyl Floors

The first step in keeping your vinyl flooring clean is to minimize stains, spots and wear. Floor coverings, such as vinyl tile and laminate, can wear down over time from dirt and dust and finishes can deteriorate, so it is recommended that a quality doormat or area rug be placed over doors to keep sand and dirt out of your home.

Also, use plywood or paneling when moving furniture around on the floor to prevent scratching or tearing the vinyl. You can also place vinyl coasters under the feet and legs of your furniture to prevent permanent dents.

How to clean vinyl flooring

When cleaning vinyl flooring, there are several areas to be aware of and some products to avoid.

• Do not use the “beater bar” attachment when cleaning vinyl floors with a vacuum cleaner, as it can damage the surface of the floor.
• Do not use abrasive brushes or steel wool.
• Do not use detergents, abrasive cleaners or “mopping” as they will leave a dull film on the floor.
• Do not use paste waxes or solvent-based polishes.
• Do not use ammonia or cleaning solutions containing ammonia on vinyl floors. It can damage the material and cause cracks in the floor.

With a little time and effort, vinyl flooring can stand up to years of use and abuse and still retain its beautiful appearance.