Vinyl flooring is very durable, making it very easy to keep clean. Although it is very easy to keep clean, vinyl is still susceptible to normal wear, so it is still important to clean it regularly. 

Best ways to clean vinyl flooring:

The first and very important step to cleaning your vinyl flooring is sweeping it with a soft-bristle broom. You can also use a vacuum, but you’ll want to avoid using a beater bar – this can damage the vinyl. Sweeping or vacuuming should be done daily to avoid any buildups. 

For more of a deep clean, you can use a damp mop with clean water. Make sure your mop does not have any rough parts. Using a soft mop versus a scrub brush or any other clean tool with rough synthetic bristles will eliminate scratches or damages to your vinyl flooring. It is also important to remember to change any felt pads on your cleaning mop. Not changing it after use can lead to scratches on your floor from past dirt and grim. If you are looking to use your steam mop, I would advise you to review the manufacturer guidelines on your flooring first. Some steam mops reach a high temperature that could damage your floors. 

Tip: Allow your floors to air dry. Try to avoid any traffic on the floors until they are 100% dry. 

What cleaning products should I use?

I realized that this is a common question customers ask after we finish installing their floors, and it is a great/important question to ask. There are many cleaners that you can buy from your regular grocery store that are not the best for your floors, and there are a lot easier ways to clean your floor rather than purchasing a harsh cleaner. To avoid any tough cleanups, spills should be cleaned up immediately, and can usually be done with some warm water. If water isn’t enough, you can use vinyl-specific floor cleaner. Vinyl floor cleaner can be sold at any of your local flooring stores. Some harsh cleaning chemicals you should stay away from when cleaning your vinyl floors are bleach, ammonia, and mop and shine products- (tend to leave a dull film on your floors).  A common cleaning method that you should stay away from is water and vinegar. Although vinegar may clean your floors well, it is an acid meaning it can eat away at your wear layer. This may lead to your vinyl floors not lasting or looking as great for as long as they should. 

Tip: Always read the product label to make sure it is safe for vinyl flooring and whether it requires rinsing. 

General ways to keep your vinyl floors in tip top shape:

• Stay away from any steel wool or stiff bristled brush to scrub vinyl flooring.
• Place door mats at any doorways to the outdoors, and area rugs in high traffic areas.
• Use felt pads or furniture pads under your furniture to avoid scratches on the vinyl.
• If you have an office, or office chair, use office mats to avoid rolling weight that could dent or scratch the vinyl with any visible or invisible dirt and grum that is on your floors. 
• Do not drag any heavy furniture across the floor.

To conclude, I will summarize how to properly clean your vinyl flooring. Always keep in mind it is very important to clean your floors regularly, and clean any spills right away. It is best to clean your floors daily with a broom or vacuum. For a deeper clean it is safe to use a non-abrasive pad or sponge with warm water. If you have any questions regarding cleaning your vinyl floors that I did not answer here, or you are looking for a high quality floor cleaner, Stirling Carpet and Flooring is always happy to help. 

written by; Mikayla Westerman