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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.
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.
Follow all these steps, and your cleaning will go by quickly and efficiently with no issues.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Here are answers to some common inquiries related to Vinyl flooring care and cleaning:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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