Vinyl Flooring Maintenance Tips. Vinyl is a rigid material to maintain, as it can be hard to keep clean. Following the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance tips is crucial when maintaining vinyl flooring. This will ensure that your vinyl flooring stays in the best possible condition for as long as possible.
No matter how careful you are, vinyl will inevitably suffer wear and tear. These tips may help your vinyl flooring last longer than if you were to neglect them! Read on!
Even if you’ve taken proper care of the floor during installation or since there’s no telling when something might happen to make a mess, animals might have an accident on your bed. While doing some DIY projects, you might spill some wine on the rug or paint in the study. Whatever it is, it’s essential to clean up these messes quickly, so they don’t leave stains on your vinyl flooring.
You can sweep or vacuum regularly, as recommended by the manufacturer. Use quality swabs and water or commercial cleaners as needed. Avoid using abrasive brushes or cloths on your floors as they can scratch the surface quickly and dull the shine of the vinyl finish.
Remember that spot-cleaning does not replace regular sweeping/vacuuming (unless there’s a significant spill). Stains are best addressed with commercial cleaners rather than soap.
It’s no secret that kids and pets can leave scratches on your vinyl flooring. It’s part of owning a home with animals or kids. But that doesn’t mean you have to accept them. However, you can do several things if you’ve already put scratches on the floor.
For example, mats are the best way to protect your feet from water, moisture, dirt, and other substances that may damage your flooring. Besides protecting these issues, floor mats can add a unique look to your vinyl flooring. Depending on what surface you have, many different options are available.
You can also use furniture coasters or even duct tape over the scratched area to protect it from further harm while you work on removing the scratch marks themselves.
Since vinyl floors are easily scratched, waxing them regularly is very important. Use special vinyl floor waxes to give your feet a protective shine that repels water, food, and soil. Always apply wax according to the manufacturer’s instructions and allow drying time between coats.
Your floor will soon start to smell if you keep it in a closet or under the bed. Use the fabric and thistle oil with the vinyl installation kit to make your vinyl floor smell good again. This is especially useful if you have pets or kids in the house who can cause accidents. Spraying this regularly will help eliminate any musty odor from your vinyl flooring. (A couple of drops of essential oils is all it takes.)
In most cases, vacuuming is excellent, but it won’t kill all germs and bacteria on your vinyl floors. To ensure the ideal germ-free environment in your home, follow the manufacturer’s steps for sanitizing new or reconditioned vinyl flooring. Most systems involve a commercial sanitizer and a floor-cleaning machine.
If vinyl flooring is maintained regularly, it will quickly lose its luster. You can use a housekeeper sprayer or a mop to keep your floor clean and shiny after each use. Try using a solution made from lemon juice and water to make your vinyl floor shine.
You can also clean it with plain white vinegar and warm water, but this method may leave a “scuff” on the surface of the vinyl, so be careful not to step on any spots you don’t want to get damaged. (Some people apply paper towels to the floor and then spray, wipe and mop the floor with a solution. You can also use shag area rugs or mats in high-traffic areas.)
When cleaning your vinyl floors, it’s important not to wear shoes with rubber soles or walking boots. It would be best if you sprayed the floor with a silicone lubricant when vacuuming; cleaning is much more accessible and stops your shoes from getting caught in the sides of the floor cleaner. Be sure to avoid carpets near your vinyl flooring, as these tend to collect dust and dirt.
While the mop and bucket method may sound like the most effective way to remove stains from vinyl or carpet, it is not. Instead, using a microfiber mop to clean your floor would be best. A mop removes stubborn stains, like dirt or juice stains.
You can also use a microfiber cloth to dust your vinyl flooring after cleaning it with your mop to keep it shiny and clean. In addition to keeping your floor looking brand new, using a mop will reduce dust and allergens in your home.
Although the steam mop may be a popular choice among many of today’s homeowners, it is not your best option regarding vinyl flooring. The reason is that high temperatures can damage the vinyl, causing small cracks and nicks to appear in the flooring. Instead, it would be best to use a wet cloth (like a microfiber cloth) or a Swiffer mop to clean your vinyl floors. This keeps your foot looking beautiful and allows it to last for years.
Vinyl Flooring Maintenance Tips. Once you install vinyl flooring, it can be cleaned or maintained less than other types of flooring. Vinyl flooring is a low-maintenance, durable surface that requires only the occasional dust and gentle sweeping.
However, dust is one of the leading causes of wear and tear on the surface of vinyl flooring. Suppose you need to maintain vinyl flooring more often. In that case, it will eventually show signs of wear and tear, which will be seen more clearly as dirt collects, loosens, and turns into particles that irritate allergies. As far as cleaning goes, try to do an inspection once every month to ensure your floor looks new.