Updated:
Published:
Approximate Reading Time: 11 Minutes
Vinyl flooring is on the rise. Gone are the days of tacky, old, cheap designs. Technologies and modern innovations have made vinyl flooring a premium luxury product. In light of this growing popularity, the Floorworld Blog team is excited to share some expert tips on caring for your vinyl flooring.
We recently had a chat with Greg Forte from Delta Floorworld to gather all the best advice on keeping your floors in top-notch condition. Whether you're dealing with vinyl planks or vinyl sheets, these practical tips will help you maintain and extend the life of your flooring.
Greg Forte is the store owner of Delta Floorworld Ballarat in Victoria and a director on the Floorworld Board of Directors. With over 45 years of experience, Greg has worked through generations of families to provide excellence in flooring of all kinds while heavily involving himself in community sponsorship of local sporting clubs and motorsports.
For the full collection of flooring care and maintenance tips for all types of flooring, check out our Floorworld Essentials Article: The Complete Flooring Care and Maintenance Guide.
Table of Contents
1. Why is Vinyl Flooring So Popular Now?
2. General Tips for Vinyl Flooring Care
3. How to Prepare Your Vinyl Floors Before You Clean
4. A 5-Step Guide to Cleaning Your Vinyl
5. How to Protect and Maintain Your Vinyl Floors
7. Things to Watch Out for When Cleaning Vinyl Floors
8. Vinyl Care and Maintenance Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why is Vinyl Flooring So Popular Now?
When I was much younger, if you had asked me what I thought about vinyl flooring, I would have called it tacky and artificial. Its main saving grace was that it was easy to clean when spills would inevitably happen.
However, fast-forward to today, and all these things have greatly changed. The only exception being that vinyl is still as easy to clean and maintain as ever, especially when compared to other contemporary flooring options.
Advancements in printing technology have made vinyl prints nearly indistinguishable from the surfaces they mimic at a fraction of the cost. With modern interior designs increasingly incorporating natural elements like wood and stone, vinyl becomes an attractive option.
Looking great while still offering the durability and ease of maintenance of Vinyl means that vinyl fits perfectly in both the most luxurious designer homes and the most chaotic children—and pet-filled dwellings.
It's not hard not to understand why vinyl is becoming an increasingly popular choice for homes, both old and new.
2. General Tips for Vinyl Flooring Care
Now that we've gone into hopefully justifying your love for vinyl floors, here are a few general tips from Greg to help guide you on things to look out for and remember.
- Only damp, do not flood. Don't kill it with kindness by using too much water
- Use warm water, as a temperature that is too high may cause damage.
- Dry cleaning residue as soon as you can, ideally within a minute.
- Sweep or vacuum vinyl floors regularly to eliminate dirt and debris.
- Use cleaners and refinishers available from your flooring suppliers. Steer clear of abrasive cleaners or scrub brushes that may scratch the surface.
- Use a vinyl floor cleaner or a blend of warm water and mild detergent to mop.
- For tough stains or scuff marks, opt for a gentle scrubbing pad or nylon brush.
- Enhance durability and shine by applying a vinyl floor polish or protective coating.
3. Preparing Before You Clean
How you prepare for cleaning can be almost as important as the cleaning itself. Below are some considerations to have before you get fully into cleaning your Vinyl floors so as to reduce damage and make the job easier.
- Clear the room of all furniture and objects to provide unobstructed access to your floors.
- Sweep or vacuum the entire floor to eliminate loose dirt, dust, and debris that may get in the way.
- Check for and address any loose or damaged sections of the vinyl flooring to prevent issues such as water seeping in while cleaning.
- Test any cleaning solutions on small, tucked-away areas to ensure it won't cause discolouration or damage.
- To reduce the risk of breathing in harmful chemicals, maintain proper ventilation by opening windows or turning on fans during the cleaning process.
- If you are using strong cleaning products or if sensitive individuals are present, consider clearing the room and providing masks for added safety.
Follow all these steps, and your cleaning will go by quickly and efficiently with no issues.
Products and Equipment to Use While Cleaning Vinyl Floors
It doesn't take a lot to clean Vinyl, but the equipment you use can make the job easier. Here are a few recommendations of what to have on hand when cleaning your vinyl floors:
- A soft bristled broom or vacuum for the initial dirt and debris
- Use cleaning products from the manufacturer or flooring supplier specifically designed for vinyl if you want the most effective and safest option.
- You can use DIY options like vinegar or mild bleach, but make sure to spot-test beforehand.
- A good quality microfibre rag, bucket and mop.
- Gentle scrubbing pad or soft nylon brush for more stubborn stains
For sustainable cleaning options: - Vinegar and Water: Mix one cup of white vinegar with one gallon of warm water. Use the solution with a mop or cloth.
- Baking soda and Water: Mix baking soda and water to the strength required to create a paste. Apply the paste and let it sit for a few minutes before wiping it away with a soft cloth or sponge.
- Seek out eco-friendly commercial cleaning products made from biodegradable ingredients and packaged in recyclable materials.
4. A 5-Step Guide to Cleaning Your Vinyl
Once preparations are complete, it's time to clean. Below is a step-by-step guide you can follow to ensure a thorough cleaning of your vinyl floors.
Step 1. Sweep or Vacuum Thoroughly
Use a soft-bristle broom or a vacuum cleaner to remove loose dirt, dust, and debris from the surface. This is particularly important for hidden corners where dirt can build up and high-traffic areas that are frequently used. This prevents scratching and prepares the floor for mopping.
Step 2. Prepare the Cleaning Solution
For general cleaning, mix only a few drops of mild detergent with warm water in a bucket. Alternatively, you can use a vinyl floor cleaner as directed on the product label.
For a DIY natural solution, mix one cup of white vinegar with one gallon of warm water.
Step 3. Mop Your Floors
Dip your mop into the cleaning solution and wring out any excess water. Avoid using a soaking wet mop, as excessive water can seep into seams and cause damage. Mop the floor in a gentle, circular motion, starting from one corner and working your way out. Rinse the mop frequently in the bucket to avoid spreading dirt.
Step 4. Spot Clean and Address Tough Stains
For persistent stains or scuff marks, use a gentle scrubbing pad or a soft nylon brush. Apply a small amount of baking soda to the stain and scrub gently. For added effectiveness, you can also apply a small amount of the cleaning solution directly to the stain.
Step 5. Rinse and Dry
After mopping, rinse the floor with clean water to remove any residue from the cleaning solution. Use a clean, damp mop for this step. Quickly dry the floor with a soft, clean towel.
Step 6. Consider Using a Professional Cleaning Service
Sometimes, there are jobs you can't handle yourself, so consider using a professional floor cleaning service. Even in the case where you can, having a professional deep clean every few years can help increase the longevity of your floors.
5. How to Protect and Maintain Your Vinyl Floors
Careful maintenance is key to ensuring that you can enjoy your clean Vinyl floors for as long as possible. Below are some recommendations on how to do just that.
- Mop once or twice a week to make sure stains have no time to sit
- Recoat with a Vinyl Polish only if necessary, aiming for about every two years to maintain durability and shine
- Have walk-on and walk-off mats to capture debris from outside before entering your home
-
- Make sure to clean any mats inside the home
- Consider having separate outdoor and indoor shoes. We don't realise how much debris we take in from outside, especially with children.
- Furniture pads to prevent scratches and dents
- Regularly sweep or vacuum
- Using mats or rugs in high-traffic areas such as hallways to reduce wear
- Immediately deal with spills to prevent staining and water damage
- Avoid harsh abrasive cleaners and utilize gentle scrubbing to maintain the wear layer
- Close curtains or blinds to reduce exposure to UV from the sun
-
-
6. Household Considerations (Pets and Children)
A home is made by those who inhabit it, so below is a list of things to consider depending on the people or creatures in your home.
- For households with children, ensure that any cleaning products used are non-toxic and child-safe. You can also remove them from the area until all the cleaning products are cleared off.
- For sensitive and allergy-prone individuals, isolate them from the cleaning area and maintain proper ventilation to air out any harmful fumes during and after the cleaning.
- To prevent mould buildup that can exacerbate allergies, thoroughly dry your floors after cleaning.
- It is best to isolate pets away from the area being cleaned to reduce the chance of any adverse reactions or even just making the job harder than it needs to be
- Smaller dogs tend to be more active than larger dogs, so be mindful of grooming and the activities your pet gets up to indoors.
- Be sure to always clip your pets' nails and claws to reduce scratching and marks on your floors.
-
7. Things to Watch Out for When Cleaning Vinyl Floors
There are some things you can only learn over years of experience. Below are a few insights from Greg and the rest of the Floorworld team on things you should watch out for when dealing with Vinyl floors.
Never Steam Clean
- Steam cleaning is an intense heat-cleaning process that we recommend only for ceramic tiles. Using it on vinyl floors may void your warranty.
Careful When Using Rubber-Backed Mats
- Rubber back floor mats are commonly used in areas such as kitchens and bathrooms.
- They can leave imprints on vinyl and leave marks as dye bleeds in over time due to the material.
Be Mindful of Sunlight and How it Enters Your Home
- Be sure you have shade or mats for your floors that are frequently exposed to sunlight.
- (In Australia) North or west-facing windows are likely to be the most exposed.
- UV damage and overheating can cause damage to vinyl that may void your warranty.
- On some days, windows stretching to the floor can overheat your vinyl floors to 80 degrees, ruining both the vinyl floor and the glue that holds it in place.
Don't Wear Damaging Footwear Indoors
- Sharp pointed shoes like heels or spiked sports shoes can cause dents and scratching.
- Any shoes will bring in some layer of dirt and debris, so use floor mats at the entranceways.
- Consider asking for shoe removal before entering your home.
Overcleaning Can Reduce the Longevity of Your Floors
- While regular cleaning is essential, cleaning too regularly with water and harsh chemicals can degrade the finish of the floor.
- Sweep daily, mop once or twice a week and use vinyl polish once every few years.
8. Vinyl Care and Maintenance Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common inquiries related to Vinyl flooring care and cleaning:
How to remove Vinyl flooring?
For vinyl planks, heat them up with a heat gun and peel them away. If you’re handy and have the right advice and glue, it's straightforward.
For sheet vinyl, it gets a bit trickier. You'll need to cut out the damaged piece and ensure the new piece matches perfectly. Treat the cut panel like a plank or follow grout lines.
How to remove deep scratches in Vinyl flooring?
Unfortunately, you can't fully remove deep scratches. The best you can do is recoat the floor with polish to disguise them. The deep scratches will still remain visible, but they will be much less noticeable with some polish.
How to remove stains from Vinyl flooring?
Make sure to use stain removal products specified for vinyl or recommended by your supplier. You might need to sand the area or use a special floor prep product for tough stains like iodine or dye.
How to repair Vinyl flooring?
For planks, warm the area to soften the glue, then use a knife to peel and replace the plank with flooring adhesive. For sheet vinyl, replace the damaged section by cutting along grout lines or patterns and then replacing it to make the repair less noticeable.
How to fix Vinyl flooring that is lifting?
First, determine why the flooring is lifting. It could be due to drying out, shrinkage, or water damage. Clean the area and peel back until you can feel resistance (meaning it is still properly stuck to the floor in these areas), then reapply glue where necessary to ensure the flooring sits back down properly by putting something to weigh it down.
How to restore Vinyl flooring?
A simple polish can restore the shine. First, clean the floor, flush it with fresh water, avoid walking on it until it's completely dry, then apply polish. This ensures that the polish sets properly without any footprints marring the finish.
How to get scuff marks off Vinyl flooring?
Light scuff marks can often be covered with polish to repair. Focus polish on only the affected area rather than the entire floor. In future, be cautious of causes such as furniture and shoes to prevent these marks in the first place.
What to use to clean Vinyl flooring?
A vacuum or broom is used to clear the initial dirt and debris, then stick to a rag, bucket, gentle scrubbing brush, and mop to clean the Vinyl floor. Never use a steam cleaner on a vinyl plank or sheet vinyl, as it can void the warranty.
What happens if water gets under Vinyl flooring?
Light water penetration might not cause damage, but prolonged exposure can weaken the glue, leading to lifting or bubbling, especially in high temperatures. For this reason, it's essential to address water spills promptly.
How to care for Vinyl flooring?
Use warm water and a soft hair broom for daily cleaning. Mop once or twice a week and recoat with polish as necessary, maybe every two years. Use walk-off mats to capture debris and grit before it reaches the floor, and clean these mats regularly.
How often to clean Vinyl flooring?
Cleaning too frequently can cause damage to your Vinyl floors. It is best to sweep or vacuum daily, mop once or twice a week and only recoat with polish every two years.
How do Vinyl types affect your cleaning routine?
Whether you have vinyl planks, sheets, or hybrid flooring, the cleaning process is generally the same. The key is to be gentle yet thorough. Consistency in your cleaning routine will keep your floors looking their best.
How to prepare your vinyl floor before cleaning?
Ensure you use appropriate products for vinyl floors and spot test if necessary. Remove any dust and debris with a broom or vacuum before mopping. This ensures you’re not just spreading dirt around and makes cleaning more effective.
Can sunlight damage my vinyl flooring?
Yes, prolonged exposure to direct sunlight can damage the glue and cause the floor to lift or bubble. Use window coverings or mats and rugs to protect your floors.
Vinyl Flooring Care and Maintenance Conclusion
Taking care of your vinyl flooring doesn’t have to be complicated. With regular cleaning, proper maintenance, and a few simple precautions, you can keep your floors looking beautiful for years to come. Remember, a little care goes a long way in preserving the beauty and functionality of your vinyl flooring. For more tips on cleaning and caring for your floors of any type, contact your nearest Floorworld Store or read our Essential Series: The Complete Flooring Care and Maintenance Guide.
You can also grab a copy of our e-book by filling out the form below for the latest in Flooring Trends, Sustainability, Maintenance and Home Renovation.
