How To Clean Vinyl Plank Flooring 2024

Are you wondering how to clean vinyl plank flooring safely and easily? This article is for you, as I’ll cover the best ways to keep your flooring clean and free of germs and dirt.

I will talk about tools and ways to clean every mess, from food and drinks spills to more challenging messes to clean, such as paint and glue.

Vinyl plank flooring looks stylish and doesn’t cost a fortune to install. Many people choose it because of the low costs, simple installation and maintenance.

The proper cleaning technique will keep your vinyl floor good-looking for years.

Despite all vinyl plank flooring benefits, the floor can get damaged from harsh cleaning chemicals or normal wear and tear in high traffic areas.

What’s The Best Way To Clean Vinyl Plank Flooring?

The best way to keep your vinyl plank floors clean and good-looking is to adopt a standard cleaning routine. Sweep the floors every day to remove dust, vacuum and mop them once a week with a pH-neutral, vinyl-suitable cleaner.

You can make homemade cleaners with vinegar and water and remove the grime effectively. Use a microfiber mop and a soft cloth to clean and dry the floors.

Stubborn stains can be removed with an acetone-based nail polish remover, rubbing alcohol and a scraper.

Check out this video to know more:

How To Clean Vinyl Plank Flooring – Complete Guide

Installing luxury vinyl plank flooring is one of the best decisions you’ll ever make. Nowadays, COREtec Plus Vinyl Flooring and other modern vinyl plank floorings look nothing like cheap vinyl floors in the past. The best thing about these floors is the simple maintenance.

Here is a comprehensive guide about vinyl floor maintenance for the best look and longer lifespan.

Sweeping

Floors can be the dirtiest parts of the home, as all dirt and debris collect there. If you don’t clean debris regularly, your vinyl plank flooring can get scratched or scuffed.

It is because dirt specks have sharp edges that are moved over the floor and can cause micro-scratches. Then, the dirt collects in those micro scratches and gets moved around. The results are larger scratches.

Also, grime can work like sandpaper, and gradually remove the floor finish and make it more prone to damage.

A sweeper is the easiest way to remove the dirt from the floors. It is the best tool for brisk cleaning and everyday maintenance. It won’t take you more than five minutes to remove piled-up dust and dirt.

Vacuuming

Vacuuming is the step that goes before wet cleaning. It is important to remove all dust from the floor before you start mopping it.

You can use any vacuum cleaner for vinyl plank flooring as long as it doesn’t have a beater bar. Also, avoid vacuum with a power rotary brush head, as it can damage the floor finish.

Vacuum every inch of the floor, including parts around and below furniture. Vacuum the corners thoroughly as dirt also piles up there.

If you don’t vacuum it, you will spread the dirt and hairs with a mop.

Mopping

Mopping is a final step that will ensure your floors are left sparkling.

Use a microfiber mop to clean the floor and a suitable mopping solution. The mop should be wet but not damp, so make sure to wring the mop thoroughly and remove excess water.

If you use too much water, you risk your vinyl planks getting warped. Start in the corner opposite the doors and slowly move back to the exit.

Then, prepare a soft towel to dry the floors and enhance the sparkling!

Check out this video to know more:

Cleaning With Commercial Cleaners

You can mop your vinyl floors with any commercial cleaner that is suitable for vinyl. It means that a cleaner needs to have a neutral pH value to avoid ruining the floor finish with the harsh chemicals. For example, Bona Hard-Surface Cleaner is great for vinyl floors and doesn’t leave streaks.

The alternative is Pine-Sol dilatable multi-purpose cleaner that leaves a pleasant lemon smell.

Cleaning With Homemade Cleaners

There are many commercial cleaners on the market that are suitable for cleaning your vinyl floors. But, did you know that you can clean your floors with things you have at home? The results might be even better than if you’ve used store-bought cleaners.

Here is how to clean your vinyl plank floorings with things you have at home.

White Vinegar/Apple Cider Vinegar

White vinegar is a versatile ingredient you can use to clean different types of floors. The procedure is simple, and the mixture is eco-friendly, safe for kids and pets.

Mix one cup of white vinegar with a gallon of water, stir it well and mop the floors with it. You can use apple cider vinegar the same way for vinyl floors.

Add a few drops of any essential oil you have at home to improve the smell. Keep a bucket with clean water around you and rinse the mop frequently.

White vinegar will remove the grime, and won’t leave any build-up. It is suitable for weekly cleaning, and won’t be too harsh on the floor.

Vinegar And Soap For Deep Cleaning

If your floors are extra dirty, you can use liquid dish soap and vinegar to clean the floors thoroughly.

• Mix several drops of liquid dish soap with one gallon of water in one bucket, stir it to make the foam and dip the mop in the solution.
• Go over the entire floor.
• Then, mix a cup of vinegar in another bucket and mop the entire surface one more time.
• Vinegar will remove soap buildup, which can make your floors dull.
• Again, rinse the mop frequently to remove the soap leftovers on the mop.

Check out this video to know more:

Homemade Disinfecting Solution

Disinfecting kills germs on the floor, but might not clean the dirt effectively. Some chemicals can disinfect vinyl floors, but also make the color fade and finish dull.

The most practical way to disinfect your vinyl plank flooring is a spray microfiber mop, but you can use a string mop and a bucket as well.

Here is the best homemade disinfectant solution for vinyl floors.

Mix the following ingredient in a large bucket and apply it on the floor once you vacuumed and cleaned the dirt.

• Warm water- two cups
• White vinegar – half a cup
• Isopropyl alcohol – half a cup
• Tea tree oil – 5 drops

If you have a large area to cover, double the ingredients.

• Use a clean mop for disinfection.
• Damp the mop in the solution, wring it and mop the floor.
• Let the floor dry before you go back into the room.

How Often To Clean Your Vinyl Plank Floorings?

There isn’t a cleaning frequency rule that works for every household. If you have pets and children, you’ll clean the floors more often. On the other hand, if you don’t spend much time at home due to work and errands, you can reduce the cleaning to a minimum.

But here is a simple guide about vinyl plank flooring cleaning frequency that works for most households.

How To Remove Stains From Vinyl Plank Flooring?

So far, I’ve talked about the standard vinyl flooring cleaning routine. But, we need to talk about stains, as those can significantly affect the appearance of your hard floor.

Vinegar might not be powerful enough to remove stubborn stains, so here are a few tips for removing stains from vinyl plank flooring.

Baking Soda For Food Stains

You shouldn’t scrub the stain because you risk removing the stain and scratching the floor. That is why baking soda is perfect. It can work as an abrasive cleaner that is gentle on the vinyl floor.

Baking soda will remove most food and drinks stains on the floor. If you clean the area as soon as the spill happens, the stain won’t happen at all.

• Mix baking soda and water to make a paste, and use a soft rag to apply the paste to the stained area.
• Gently rub the area with the rag to lift the stain.
• If it is necessary, complete the process.
• Once the stain is lifted, use a damp cloth to remove baking soda leftovers.

Rubbing Alcohol For Paint Stains

Paint stains are the most difficult to remove from vinyl plank flooring. Any ammonia-based cleaner will remove the stain as well as the color from the area. So, the surface will be worse than before trying to remove the stain.

The safe method to remove paint stains from vinyl plank flooring is to use rubbing alcohol.

• Dip a soft cloth into rubbing alcohol and let the damp cloth sit on the stain for several minutes.
• Wipe the surface with a cloth dampened into clean water and dry it with a soft towel.

Steel Wool And Liquid Wax For Stubborn Stains

Stubborn stains from hardened paint are the worst. To remove them, you’ll need superfine steel wool and liquid wax. Damp the steel wool into the wax and gently scrub the surface to lift the stain.

Once the stain is gone, clean the area with liquid soap and water and dry it with a soft cloth.

How To Remove Glue From Vinyl Plank Flooring?

Removing dried glue from vinyl plank flooring can look like an impossible challenge. But, you can remove it without damaging the floor.

You need a scraper, acetone-based nail-polish remover, soft cloth and a lot of patience.

• First, use a scraper to gently scrape as much dried glue as possible.
• Work slowly and be careful not to scratch the finish.
• Then, damp the soft cloth into nail polish remover.
• Gently, dab the surface with a cloth to soften the glue.
• Once the glue softens, wipe it with a cloth.
• If you didn’t remove all the glue, repeat the process.
• Switch between scraper and cloth dampened in nail polish remover.
• Be patient and work in small steps to avoid damaging the floor.

How To Clean Scuffs And Scratches On Vinyl Plank Flooring?

You can fix scuff and scratches on vinyl plank flooring to some point. Deeper scratches require replacing the planks.

But, for the minor scuffs, you can buff them out with a melamine pad. You can also use a baking soda paste and a sponge to remove scuff marks.

Once the marks are removed, clean the floor with vinegar and a baby oil solution to restore the shine.

Do & Don’t Of Vinyl Plank Flooring

Here are a few tips to keep in mind when cleaning your vinyl floors.

Do:

• Use neutral floor cleaner
• Use microfiber mop
• Rinse the floor with clean water after using soap on the floor
• Clean the spills as soon as possible
• Use furniture pads to protect the floor
• Use a rug in areas with high foot traffic

Don’t

• Use scrubbing brushes
• Don’t use a vacuum with a beater bar
• Use bleach or steam mop to clean the floor
• Use solvent-based polishes
• Roll the furniture without protecting the floor

Check out this video to know more:

Vinyl Plank Flooring – Simple Maintenance For A Longer Lifespan

As you can see, vinyl plank floorings are quite easy to clean. You don’t have to invest in expensive tools and cleaners.

A sweeper and mop can be all it takes to help maintain the look of your floor for a long time. But, remember dry cleaning – sweeping, always precedes wet cleaning – mopping.

Use neutral cleaners and soft tools to clean the floors. Occasionally, buff out scuff marks and remove stubborn stains with things you have at home, such as nail polish remover or rubbing alcohol.

Protecting your floors with furniture pads and rug mats will, alongside a proper cleaning routine, prolong the lifespan of your floors.

Does cleaning vinyl floors seem complex to you? If you have more tips, feel free to add them in the comment section!

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